Glucosamine/Condroitin Side effects/

Oh my! I’ve taken them for years and have had great success after two weeks. I hope that was just a fluke and will get better!

Helen, you are wise to pay attention to your body experience.
It may be some consolation that Mayo Clinic's website addresses Night Leg Cramps, starting with "Most of the time, there's no known cause . . ."
When I have rare leg cramps at night, I assume it's caused by dehydration . . . insufficient fluids that day.
Re: Glucosomine/Chondroitin/MSM, I've been using Natural Factors MSM Joint Formula for 30+ years to help with arthiritis and scoliosis. For decades, 2 capsules a day was sufficient. Then 4 a day. Recently, I upped it to 6. For me it's been helpful and without side effects. I'm glad to know it's being used by Mayo. Thanks for sharing that.
Re: Shoulder issues. LOL! That's MY new problem. Your multi-faceted approach sounds wonderful. Good luck.

@susanblan @sreusreuler Thank you. I'm hoping it was a fluke too. I haven't had any other cramps for the past few nights. Dehydration? That's very possible and I'll pay attention to that.

Shoulder, yup! My new (since January anyway) problem too. It's been only one week since I started this multi-faceted approach and so far it's good. Yesterday my shoulder ached a little but that is likely from the daily exercises I do. I start PT tomorrow morning and I'm expecting I could have some discomfort with those exercises.

@sreuler Did you seek medical advice on your shoulder? Are you considering surgery or something like what I am doing?

Many brands of Glucosamine+Chondroitin contain shellfish, which cause problems for some people. However, there are some brands that don't have shellfish as an ingredient. I found those are as effective and are without side effects for me. So I'm now certain to carefully check the ingredient list before purchasing!

Hi, Helen. No, I'm not considering surgery. As a recent survivor of severe sepsis, I would only consider surgery as a last resort. Between arthritis, scoliosis, and stenosis, there are many possible causes of MY periodic shoulder pain. I've seen a few doctors - there's no obvious cause (like an injury), and many possible explanations. LOL! I'm even scheduled for a gall bladder scan on the remote possibility that the shoulder pain is referred from the gall bladder. So, yes, I am pursuing a path like yours. Wishing you relief, Sharon

@sreuler I'm with you on no surgery. I had rotator cuff surgery on my other shoulder about 15 years ago. The surgery was very successful however it took a long time for the rehab through PT and home exercises. Like you I have some spinal stenosis and osteoarthritis. Some days I hurt everywhere.

So, no obvious causes for your shoulder pain? For some, I'm told, the shoulder tendons just kind wear out over time. It's worth it to track down every possibility but a gall bladder scan? I've heard of referred pain to the shoulder for breast and lungs but not with the digestive system. It's worth it to keep on the path to finding a solution and trying different treatment strategies. Every since I had the corticosteroid injections (8 days ago) I can sleep without pain awakening me. That's something, right?

Never and I have been taking it for at least 10 years.

Here is an update. Other than the one instance that I posted about in my original post I have had no other nocturnal leg/calf cramps. I have been taking the full dose of the product that I purchased. One thing I have noticed. My lower back where I have osteoarthritis feels much better. I don't have the lower back ache that I've had for so many years. That's an added bonus, I guess, of being advised to try glucosamine/condroitin with MSM for my shoulder pain.