The one prospective double-blind trial of glucosamine that I'm aware of showed it to be as effective in relieving the pain of arthritis as a therapeutic dose of ibuprofen (2400-3200mg per day total - 800mg 3 or 4 times a day).  It does nothing to 'improve cartilage health' and has no impact on the progression of anatomic joint deterioration over time.  Just relieves pain as well as ibuprofen.  The advantage is that it doesn't have ibuprofen's potential GI or renal side-effects which can be serious.

Downsides of glucosamine are the cost (ibuprofen is dirt cheap) and potential to impair glucose tolerance (worsen control of diabetes).

Hope it helps - it does for many.

Well I hope it works better than ibuprofen because that doesn't help my shoulder worth a damn.

Mason, that does not sound good at all.  Do you put any heat on it at night?  What does your DOCTOR say?  You could call or e-mail their office.  Maybe warmer weather will help.  Could you get a swim in at a gym on the down time.  Will be sending good thoughts your way.  Hope you find your Easter basket.  

Never seen anyone grow a beard so fast.  Cool.

For some, ibuprofen works, for others, glucosamine; for some both.  No tellin' till ya try.

I appreciate the information!  My wife is on glucosamine.  I am not crazy about the mega doses of Ibuprofen because of the potential side effects.

Thanks, Judy. I'm due to see my doctor in July. If it's still bothering me then I'll have it checked out, It's been giving me grief for over a year now so I don't think a few more months will make much difference. I think it's arthritis or possibly bursitis.

I've been on the Osteo-biflex for a little over a week now and I think it may be helping a little.

Yeah, taking a lot of ibuprofen over a period of time is not a good thing, that's why I am trying alternatives. I read recently that a combination of fish oil and krill oil really helps the joints, I plan to pick up some to find out.

The shoulder is still bothering me a lot, but has eased a bit from what it was before. Can't really say if it's the Osteo-Biflex or the fish oil, but either way it's a little better than it was. 

Still hurts like hell though.

Getting old still sucks.