I've been taking glucosamine and chondroitin for years now for problems with my left knee. It takes about 2 weeks to start helping. If it hadn't worked for my Rottweiler who blew out a knee and had surgery, I probably wouldn't have tried it. But jus****ching him, and seeing that he was moving more easily, thought I would give it a try.

I admit readily that I take up to 800 mg of ibuprofen at times to help with some OA pain and stiffness with no problems - and have never had a problem. (I'm a nurse and work in a small but busy hospital in New Zealand, so often spend a whole shift on my feet, and moving people around.) Sometimes I overdo it a bit - like digging around the property to put in the wire for an invisible fence. Ouch.

I had gastric bypass 8 years ago, and I'm 54 now, and I think this whole avoiding NSAIDs entirely is suspect. Never have seen any research that shows gastric bypass people to be at high risk for ulcers from using it - especially if used on an occasional basis.

Sue

Look up Moringa...Trees of Life... Zija... I sell them, use them and love the wonderful plant. For all kinds of issues. Email me I'll tell ya more.

Hi I read your post.  I had my R hip replaced on Oct 12th. Im doing ok so far, a few setbacks but thats expected I guess. How areyou doing?

AM Hutch:  Tramadol is completely safe after RNY surgery.  It is prescription.  A way to approach it is to see your doctor, let them know you are not allowed to take any NSAIDS what so ever and you heard that tramadol may be a good alternative (the only  other prescription analgesics would be scheduled narcotics, so this would be a much better alternative.)

btw... groin pain can be possibly due to several possibilities (hernia and hip arthritis being at the top).  If you have OA of the hip, then the joint lies right underneath the groin and that is where it would hurt.

i have oa in my right knee and torn meniscus in my left.when i went to ortho last week he held up my xray of my rightknee and said this knee is shot.lol i look and look at my xray and cant figure out what he means .i had rny on 6/1/10 and so far have lost 64 lbs.and i thought the weight loss would help my knees,but i was wrong.he said i will need knee replacement.i go back to him on dec 10   im wondering if it will be a total or partial? my knees sound like crushing up chips  when i (try)  to bend them i cannot bend them back all the way and cannot straighten them all the way either  .so if anyone has any input.please let me know   thanks and hagd :)