Art (California) on 01/16/2023

Here is a link to the original two things he used successfully for DDD :

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/ddd-art-solbrig.html

Art

Replied By Art (California) on 07/14/2023

Guzin,

It would depend on the severity of the damage, but it would be useful to add other supplements to the HA to help repair the intervertebral disc such as melatonin, grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE), berberine, astaxanthin and andrographis with 10% or more of andrographolide.

You can start with the HA and Stopain. If no relief within a month try adding one of the others for a month and then add more if needed, but never do all of them at once because if you are reactive to one, you won't know which one is the problem and will have to stop and start over again with the HA.

Also consider getting 20 minutes of earlier morning sun every morning to get infrared (IR) light exposure from the sun. Let your back face the sun with clothes on. The IR will penetrate clothing, reduce spinal inflammation and increase melatonin in the cerebrospinal fluid which will be useful. Start with the HA, Stopain and earlier morning sunlight. The morning sun exposure may also help you sleep if you are having trouble sleeping. Give these three a full month before considering adding another supplement. If it is practical, get the morning sun in an area with significant greenery in the immediate area as this will increase your IR exposure.

Come back and let us know how you do.

Art

Replied By Art (California) on 09/25/2023

Connie,

It might be better to try the hyaluronic acid (HA) capsules with the Stopain first as I have gotten reports that it has helped for more than just degenerative disc disease (DDD).

I think that doing three divided doses such as breakfast lunch and dinner to get 100 mg at each meal in the beginning may be slightly more effective, but once you have relief I think taking all three at once with a meal is fine also

HA has also shown some benefit for osteoarthritis. Here is a link to what I wrote about HA capsules and Stopain for DDD :

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/ddd-art-solbrig.html

If the HA & Stopain don't help your other issues, then you can add the Multi Collagen Plus. If the HA works for the other issues, then you don't have to spend more money for the multi collagen plus and you will know precisely what the HA/Stopain is doing and what the Multi Collagen Plus is doing if you end up getting it. Some friends have mentioned going down to two capsules per day(the dose recommended on the bottle) after months of using HA with no problems.

Connie, please come back and let us know what you use and how you do!

Art

Replied By Connie (GA) on 09/25/2023

Hi Art,

Thanks for the quick reply. I will come back with results. How long do you think is reasonable to give the HA a test before trying the HLA? I will start the stop pain today on the Sciatica.

I did try L Lysine in Aug for Sciatica and that seemed to work but it has just come back this week and I can't pinpoint any activity that would be the culprit.

In terms of the HLA, I was thinking that might help for loose ligaments for the SIJ as when I get the spasms, it is debilitating for weeks. Thoughts? In the last 3 years I have given most all activities other than walking and I am too young to be sitting on the couch even though I am 63! thanks again

Replied By Art (California) on 09/25/2023

Connie,

I think if you do not notice any positive change for that specific symptom in one month then you might consider adding the collagen. Although friends and EC community members have reported results for DDD sooner, one month is a more reasonable expectation to find minor relief. I'm a little confused whether you are dealing with DDD or sciatica?? DDD can cause sciatica or exacerbate it, but it is not the only cause. What is your actual diagnosis?

For fairly quick relief from sciatica, icing 3 times per day and applying Stopain in between icing should offer relief to make it much more tolerable. Icing is highly anti inflammatory. Proper stretches are also useful for sciatica and there are YouTube videos showing stretches that have shown benefit for sciatica.

I'm not sure what you are describing as HLA? I thought you were using that for HA, but apparently not.

It is helpful for the forum members to understand what you mean when you actually spell out what you are describing at least once in your post. Obviously it is clear to you, but not so much for others.

Art

Replied By Connie (GA) on 09/27/2023

Hi Art,

Thanks again and apologies for the confusion. I was abbreviating Hylauronic Acid as HLA so will spell out going forward.

In terms of diagnosis, I have been to 3 Orthopedic surgeons, one with a double fellowship in neurology. Have tried, stretching, PT, icing, acupuncture, massage and chiropractor. I do ice regularly throughout the day as needed and this does provide relief for both of my issues (SIJ and Sciatic). I have had MRIs, XRAYs, CT Scan of Pelvis, extensive bloodwork check for auto immune and inflammatory markers. Everything has come back negative with the exception of a mild bulge at L3/L4 and L4/L5. Therefore, the docs have not been able to provide a diagnosis as to the cause of the sciatic pain (possibly piriformis syndrome) nor the spasms.

The spams are the primary issue at this time and occur in the area of the sacroiliac joints. The spasms were initially triggered by forward flexion and or rotation. Over the past two years, this issue has progressed to where the spasms can be triggered by reaching to close a car door, standing from a squatting position after pulling just a few weeds or just about any movement involving flexion and/or rotation. I also tested negative for Sacroiliitis although on some days my SI Joints do feel inflamed. Therefore, I have had to give up golfing, hiking and biking.

After a lot of reading on SI Joint Dysfunction where the tendons can be lax or too tight, I thought I would try the Hyaluronic Acid and/or Multi Collagen Plus to repair the tendons or whatever is causing the constant irritation and ultimately spasms in the SI Joints. So this is where I would like to know what you might suggest to calms the SI Joints and surrounding structures.

The 2nd issue is right buttock sciatic pain, that never goes down the leg. The sciatic is mostly under control but does flare up. I recently took the L Lysine and Root2 BioCell Collagen for roughly 5-6 weeks thinking the bulge in L4/L5 was causing the sciatic pain. I also did alot of walking during that timeframe and the Sciatic has been much improved overall. The Drs could not say for sure if the bulge was actually the source of any of the issues as the bulge is considered minor.

My objective is to get to the point where the spasms are under control so I can resume my fun activities and have better movement overall. When this first started - about 5 years ago - the spasms were coming from the L4/L5 area but over the recent past are felt originating from the SI Joints. Any help greatly appreciated.

Replied By Art (California) on 09/27/2023

Okay, that's a little clearer now, Connie.

The icing is apparently helping so definitely continue. The fact that it is effective let's you know that there is definitely significant inflammation involved. The Stopain should also help as it is a fairly potent topical anti inflammatory. You didn't mention it this time, is it helping?

Sitting can definitely exacerbate sciatic pain so if you are doing a lot of sitting, that may not be the best choice. Making sure to use good posture when standing can be beneficial for improving sciatica.

The HA, as I wrote about it is intended for DDD, which does not really seem to be the issue here based on what the three orthopedic surgeons have told you. The HA may or may not help in your case, but seems worth the effort for at least one 120 capsule bottle of it. The collagen supplement is intended for ligament and tendon damage which may or may not apply here since the three orthopedic surgeons did not point you in that direction.

I have had very good results using icing for sciatica and in my experience the benefit has been cumulative with the beneficial effect lasting longer and longer with continued cryotherapy and you have reported it as beneficial, but you did not give feedback on the Stopain which I have found very beneficial for sciatica also.

Boswellia Serrata Extract (BSE) in the forms referred to as AKBA or Apres Flex is also beneficial in reducing inflammation and helping to repair sciatic nerve damage as discussed here :

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9165397/

Here is a relevant quote :

' These findings suggest that, at the molecular level, AKBA can increase neurotrophic factor expression through inhibiting myeloperoxidase expression and reducing inflammatory reactions, which could promote myelin sheath and axon regeneration in the injured sciatic nerve. '

Turmeric / Curcumin also helps sciatica or disc related issues as discussed here :

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5521990/

Here is a relevant quote :

' Our study provided pre-clinical evidence for expediting this natural, non-toxic pleiotropic agent to become a new and safe clinical treatment of radiculopathy. '

Here is a link to a product that contains both BSE in the form referred to as Apres Flex and also contains Curcumin and Mangosteen Extract which is also beneficial for sciatica :

https://www.amazon.com/Root2-Vitacost-Turmeric-Featuring-ApresFlex/dp/B08Q42R6ZL/ref=sr_1_8?crid=VFW058PWXCR3&keywords=Acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic+acid&qid=1695868654&sprefix=acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic+acid+,aps,110&sr=8-8

So these are all things that I would do for myself if I had sciatica and you can discuss them with your doctor to see if they would be suitable and safe for you.

On a related note, EC has a whole section on sciatica with 46 remedies listed and it may be worth considering some of those options also.

Art

Replied By Art (California) on 09/30/2023

Connie,

Regarding Stopain, try applying it to the spine from the mid back to the tail bone and see if that has any effect.

As far as the collagen, I would use one or the other, not both. I found benefit with Dr. Emil's for tendon's and ligaments so that is what I mentioned.

Other than that, the three component anti inflammatory is what I mentioned. Let me know if you decide to test it and if it helps.

Art

Replied By Connie (GA) on 09/30/2023

Hi Art

The Stop Pain had no impact on the sciatica. The drs are really not sure if the bulging L4L5 is the cause but say it might be. I have read the site in detail and the most helpful for me seems to be the L lysine, walking and icing.

Steroids and L-Lysine Aescinate for Acute Radiculopathy Due to a Herniated Lumbar Disk - PubMed (nih.gov)

I am trying to fix the SI joint issue which is where the spasms are coming from and therefore am also looking to rehabilitate the tendons and ligaments in that area. I had read somewhere not to take collagen type one and two together. Any thoughts on that point? Also- When would you recommend taking the Root2 BioCell collagen versus Dr Emil Multi Collagen Plus?

I do take Liquid turmeric with curcumin daily and have been for about 4 months.

How much Boswellia do you recommend?

it seems I can keep my sciatica mostly under control with the items I mentioned above but I'm still trying to figure out what is causing the chronic spasms from the SI joints and how to strengthen the ligaments and tendons in the S I joint area.

Thanks again

Replied By Connie (GA) on 10/01/2023

Thanks Art. I will try the Stopain on the spine and also the Dr Emil's and report back. Do you have any suggestions on the dosage for the Boswellia and also on taking type I and II collagen together.

Best

Replied By Art (California) on 10/01/2023

Connie,

Let me know if the Stopain application directly to the spine helps. If it does help, that would suggest potential nerve involvement.

Taking the label dosage recommendation on the three ingredient anti inflammatory bottle should be the place to start.

Dr. Emils has type 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 collagen as well as bone broth, chicken broth, eggshell membrane collagen and Bioperine in it to enhance absorption. My friend started seeing benefit taking all three capsules at once within the first bottle and then continued to where he no longer uses it.

Good luck and keep us posted on how you do.

Art

Replied By Art (California) on 12/07/2023

Hi Dee,

Yes, I and many friends have noticed that the NOW brand Double Strength Hyaluronic Acid has become unavailable everywhere. So I called NOW and they told me it is expected that it will be available again in late December.

For those who don't want to wait, I found another brand that is also available in 100 mg HA capsules on Amazon. I am testing it in a friend and they just started so I don't know if it works the same as the NOW product. It doesn't have the other ingredients that the NOW product does, but I think it is mainly the HA that is doing most of the work. Here is a link to that product :

https://www.amazon.com/Bronson-Hyaluronic-Potency-Vegetarian-Capsules/dp/B0BBNDGJBN/ref=sr_1_21?crid=364IY67QQBS4Q&keywords=hyaluronic+acid+capsules+100mg&qid=1701972000&sprefix=hyaluronic+acid+capsules+100,aps,133&sr=8-21

Art

Replied By Dee (San Antonio Tx) on 12/07/2023

Thank you so much!!

Dee

Replied By Art (California) on 12/10/2023

Hi Connie,

Thank you very much for taking the time to come back to EC to give a detailed report on how much Hyaluronic Acid(HA) has helped your degenerative disc disease to become pain free! I am very happy for your great results! How long do you think it took to become pain free?

You are the first person to report that Stopain had no effect on you, so that is useful feedback that we previously did not have! The Stopain is only a temporary aid until the HA gets you to pain free.

As far as stopping the HA now, I haven't had good reports from friends who have done that so early on, but no problem, because if the pain returns, you can just start the HA again. Btw, I called NOW products to find out when they will be back in stock with the "NOW Double Strength Hyaluronic Acid" and they said it should be back in stock in late December.

Regarding your sciatic nerve issue/spasms, it sounds like that is now resolved also since you say you are now pain free. If that is correct, do you attribute that to the HA or Dr. Emil's collagen product?

Thank you again for the feedback, Connie!

Art

Replied By Art (California) on 05/05/2024

Hi VenKat,

Nobody has reported going for an MRI or other imaging tests to determine disc condition after months of using the HA/Stopain remedy for DDD. What I have seen from friends who have used it is that once the pain diminishes and or goes away completely, they aren't interested in testing.

Given the available medical treatments for DDD, I can understand the reluctance.

Art