Thought I'd share. I've been a self-imposed lab rat for almost two years now...
I'm in my late 60s and began presenting psoriatic arthritis symptoms 6 years ago, when I returned to skiing after a ~12yr hiatus. Back then, I started a long road to getting myself back into shape with a vigorous exercise/strength building plan (at least 4 days per week). Well into the 1st year I began getting arthritis pains in my SI joints and then psoriatic breakouts. I coped, but there were times the SI issues impacted my skiing for weeks at a time. Targeted hip, lower back exercises really improved my SI joint issues. Leg strength exercises - particularly lunges - still could tweek my knees, depending on how hard I'd push myself. Eventually, I had to tune-down my exercise program to allow a day or two for joint recovery. Bummer.
Two years ago, I did a summer-long hardscaping project at our home. Lots of hoisting heavy rocks/blocks and lots of work on hands&knees. This took a toll on my knees, which resulted in persistent typical OA aches, pains & swelling. After months of this, I grew concerned, saw the 'doc & the verdict was arthritis & basically cope with it (I'm over simplifying it here) and if things get really bad, perhaps get knee replacements. Ug.
So, 18mos ago, I decided to give glucosamine and "Move Free" supplements a shot. I did some research and chose glucosamine sulfate, as that form seemed to show somewhat better results in studies (plus it's sodium free & easy on BP). I also added "Move Free" (Costco). Some friends of mine swear by it. I took just 1 tablet of each daily (for the glucosamine, that's 1/2 the listed dose). After reviewing the research, I understood it would likely take months of use before I could notice any improvement - or I could see no improvement. It took 6 months before I noticed an improvement. SI joints & knees were almost normal. Maybe "90% normal". However, with sports activity I could still tweak a knee or SI joint and the recovery could still take weeks.
Enter CBD. I began using it 3 months ago. I take non-THC hemp oil (700mg or greater formulation). Only 1/3 dropper (5-6 drops) twice daily. Noticed a big improvement after a week. SI joints are almost 100%, knees 95%. Recovery from tweaks is quicker, about a week. Psoriatic outbreaks are rare & relatively tiny now.
Then I included a CBD ointment. When I tweak a knee, I'll apply the ointment on the knee before bedtime. After two or three nights of this the knee is back to "normal". So, for me, that's a huge improvement in recovery time. Super happy about this.
Now that I know I can tolerate the glucosamine sulfate - and that it does seem to help - I recently began taking two per day, which is the full listed dose.
Now I'm waiting for snow to see if the above results help the quality of my skiing experience. Fingers crossed.
I'm in my late 60s and began presenting psoriatic arthritis symptoms 6 years ago, when I returned to skiing after a ~12yr hiatus. Back then, I started a long road to getting myself back into shape with a vigorous exercise/strength building plan (at least 4 days per week). Well into the 1st year I began getting arthritis pains in my SI joints and then psoriatic breakouts. I coped, but there were times the SI issues impacted my skiing for weeks at a time. Targeted hip, lower back exercises really improved my SI joint issues. Leg strength exercises - particularly lunges - still could tweek my knees, depending on how hard I'd push myself. Eventually, I had to tune-down my exercise program to allow a day or two for joint recovery. Bummer.
Two years ago, I did a summer-long hardscaping project at our home. Lots of hoisting heavy rocks/blocks and lots of work on hands&knees. This took a toll on my knees, which resulted in persistent typical OA aches, pains & swelling. After months of this, I grew concerned, saw the 'doc & the verdict was arthritis & basically cope with it (I'm over simplifying it here) and if things get really bad, perhaps get knee replacements. Ug.
So, 18mos ago, I decided to give glucosamine and "Move Free" supplements a shot. I did some research and chose glucosamine sulfate, as that form seemed to show somewhat better results in studies (plus it's sodium free & easy on BP). I also added "Move Free" (Costco). Some friends of mine swear by it. I took just 1 tablet of each daily (for the glucosamine, that's 1/2 the listed dose). After reviewing the research, I understood it would likely take months of use before I could notice any improvement - or I could see no improvement. It took 6 months before I noticed an improvement. SI joints & knees were almost normal. Maybe "90% normal". However, with sports activity I could still tweak a knee or SI joint and the recovery could still take weeks.
Enter CBD. I began using it 3 months ago. I take non-THC hemp oil (700mg or greater formulation). Only 1/3 dropper (5-6 drops) twice daily. Noticed a big improvement after a week. SI joints are almost 100%, knees 95%. Recovery from tweaks is quicker, about a week. Psoriatic outbreaks are rare & relatively tiny now.
Then I included a CBD ointment. When I tweak a knee, I'll apply the ointment on the knee before bedtime. After two or three nights of this the knee is back to "normal". So, for me, that's a huge improvement in recovery time. Super happy about this.
Now that I know I can tolerate the glucosamine sulfate - and that it does seem to help - I recently began taking two per day, which is the full listed dose.
Now I'm waiting for snow to see if the above results help the quality of my skiing experience. Fingers crossed.
