Glucosamine ingredients and allergies

[Guest guest]

Once more I'm turning to you as the most trusted group of experts for

personal help. I already tried 2 pharmacists and they had no answer except

" I don't know " .

I have taken Glucosamine tabs on an off for a few years but not consistently

bc of the size of the tab (I have always had a gagging problem which then

sticks them in my throat plus I find them difficult to digest). I have tried

crushing and eating which works fine for me but less convenient of course

and as always I always have a concern about crushing meds and vit/min tabs.

Yesterday I tried to find capsules and I did (more on that experience later)

however, for the first time I read the label in detail and happened to have

picked up the largest bottle of about 160 or 200 capsules.

I was shocked to read the manufacturer warning in the tiniest font

imaginable, against the darkest color in the bottle so it's barely visible

that it is made with shellfish products such as bits of flesh and shells of

shrimp, lobster, crab, crawfish. The last I recall reading about GC the main

ingredient was shark cartilage (are sharks now near extension? Used too much

for food? Used for something else? Too expensive to fish for? Or just

smarter and can't be caught?). In retrospect during the last 2 years I have

had recurrence of occasional bouts of asthma, which I've been completely

over with for many years, and although I would comment to friends or family

wondering why, now I believe could have been related to the times I would

take the GC for a couple of weeks bc of the cumulative effects of ingesting

an ingredient I am deathly allergic to. Normally when accidentally touching,

smelling the cooking vapors, or ingesting the shellfish I go into

anaphylactic shock w/in 10 minutes.

Imagine my distress bc now I'm back to having to reconsider cortisone block

for my bursitis and neck pain, or continuing to bear the distressing GI

effects of analgesics. After a few months of physical therapy, exercises

and chiropractic treatments, I'm at the end of my patience with chronic

pain. GC and acupuncture are the last 2 things left I have not tried

consistently and would like to avoid the block or having cortisone injected

(hate needles too).

I am googling but have not found any source of GC that claims not to have

shellfish as an ingredient. I am so mad that I am starting a manufacturers

campaign bc frankly this warning should be very prominent on every package,

bottle and insert, and should be known by the pharmacists that manage the

department. Any info from anyone very much appreciated. Also interested if

anyone else has experienced any reactions that has the same allergy issue I

do.

Digna Cassens, MHA, RD

Cassens Associates - Diversified Nutrition Consulting Services

PO Box 581

La Habra, CA 90633