Sierrasil

Anyone taking this?

My knees are old. My right has been through 2 surgeries and the left is just beaten up. For the past couple of years the post ride pain and stiffness has gotten worse to the point where heading up the stairs in the evening was a slow process. I mostly try to ignore it, and ignore how it's going to be in a few more years.

I try not to take take pills for anything. If I have something that's really sore, I'll pop a few ibuprofen but that's about it. I've tried glucosamine before and didn't get any results. I hear Sierrasil ads on the radio every morning so I had a look at the website. Honestly, reading the history of it screamed snake oil to me, but curiosity eventually got the better of me and I gave it a shot.

So it's either the best batch of placebo in the world or there's something in there that actually works. Within 5 days I felt noticeably better, in 7 days my pain was 80% gone and now at 14 days I'm pretty much pain free.

I'm honestly pretty surprised at the results, so I thought I'd share.

Please keep me updated…

My knees are all old and shitty now. I'd love a magic pill.

Do you have any reactions with the mixing of Sierrasil and the Viagra?

Do you have any reactions with the mixing of Sierrasil and the Viagra?

I don't have any personal experience, but Syncro says his wrists don't get as sore.

Never heard of it. Where do you get it? My knees sound like they have gravel in them when I walk up and down stairs.

Never heard of it. Where do you get it? My knees sound like they have gravel in them when I walk up and down stairs.

London Drugs

Have you tried Glucosamine with Chondroitin, taken along with MSM? I'd also recommend a Cal-Mag in conjunction with these. The Glucosamine really needs the Chondroitin to have any significant effect, and taking the MSM along with them was a magical cocktail for me. I know you said you tried Glucosamine in the past but maybe this is different since you didn't mention the Chondroitin or MSM.

My knees have been nfg for years and anytime I get into periods of heavy activity (biking season etc) I load up on those and all the pain an stiffness goes away within a week or two of starting the regime.

I don't have any experience with Sierrasil, but I'll be following this thread to see what others have to say…

Nice thing about the Gluco etc, is they're all available at Costco for pretty reasonable prices.

Have you tried Glucosamine with Chondroitin, taken along with MSM? I'd also recommend a Cal-Mag in conjunction with these. The Glucosamine really needs the Chondroitin to have any significant effect, and taking the MSM along with them was a magical cocktail for me. I know you said you tried Glucosamine in the past but maybe this is different since you didn't mention the Chondroitin or MSM.

The glucosamine that I took was a combination of stuff, I can't remember exactly but I likely got it from Costco. My brother has had good results with Glucosamine/Chondroitin but said it took 3-4 weeks to feel any effects. I don't have that type of patience to take something for a month wondering if it's feeling any better. 5-7 days on Sierrasil was quick enough to keep me interested.

The glucosamine that I took was a combination of stuff, I can't remember exactly but I likely got it from Costco. My brother has had good results with Glucosamine/Chondroitin but said it took 3-4 weeks to feel any effects. I don't have that type of patience to take something for a month wondering if it's feeling any better. 5-7 days on Sierrasil was quick enough to keep me interested.

My orthopedic surgeon, Paul Sabiston at LGH, told me there was no conclusive evidence that glucosamine works for joint problems.

Do you do any other treatments?

I have some major lower back issues that pretty much stopped me riding bikes 2 yeas ago.

Since then I have been doing the following (not all started at once - its built up to this regime)

Yoga - one session a week in studio - minimum 15 minutes practice a day (some days more, some less)

Glucosamine / Chondritin - 2 a day - will add MSM based on Chris C's comments

Accupressure (Jin Shin Do) - thought this was snake oil until I tried it. Holy fuck is it effective. My lady also practices in Yale Town - worth a try if you have any issues whatsoever. Most physical issues also have emotional links…

Will be trying accupuncture soon.

Haven't taken any pain killers other than the rare tylenol for a headache in over a year.

I've been able to slowly ramp up the skiing and biking and recently did the Snow-to-Surf mountain bike leg - 45 minutes flat out XC on my 29er. That would have had me on my back in bed in pain for two weeks two years ago…

My orthopedic surgeon, Paul Sabiston at LGH, told me there was no conclusive evidence that glucosamine works for joint problems.

If there was, we wouldn't need orthopaedic surgeions….

It's important to consider the source of any information you receive. Everyone has a bias.

So it's either the best batch of placebo in the world or there's something in there that actually works. Within 5 days I felt noticeably better, in 7 days my pain was 80% gone and now at 14 days I'm pretty much pain free.

Do you take this as a daily supplement, or on a as-needed basis like you would with ibuprofen? Once I get in the bike park I know the joints are going to start acting up again, and I'll be reaching for the pills in no time.

What happens when you stop taking them? Do symptoms return right away?

Thanks DaveM aka the NSMB lab rat

My orthopedic surgeon, Paul Sabiston at LGH, told me there was no conclusive evidence that glucosamine works for joint problems.

mine, told me I wouldn't need to see a PT during recovery….while I'm sure that I would still recover not seeing one, I certainly felt it helped.

Surgeons are a funny bunch from what I can tell.