Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I developed creaky, achy knees and hips 7 years ago when I started intense aerobic and weight training exercises 5 days a week. During a check-up my doctor found that my Vitamin D level was severely low and I also had some arthritis. I was given prescription Vitamin D2 50,000 units for 6 months and told to take OTC pain killers for the pain. Because my grandmother had debilitating arthritis and trouble walking, I figured I'd end up the same. I developed severe depression and gave up exercise and dancing....I know...bad move. Fast forward 7 years and 50 lbs later, my knees had gotten so bad that OTC painkillers like Aleve, Tylenol, and Advil weren't working anymore. I could not get out of bed, get up from a chair, get out of my car or walk across the room.... much less climb stairs. I got a cane to help me move around and I felt like I was a 90 year old. I was using heating pads, muscle creams, pain pills, and on my best days the pain was still 5 on a scale of 1-10. Most days I was at an 8, where the pain would stop me in the middle of a step. On the days that it hit 10 I was chair bound and couldn't even move if I tried. I'd end up sleeping on the sofa because I couldn't even climb the stairs to go to bed. I was so tired of being sick and tired, I started researching my options. I knew that losing weight would make a tremendous difference but I had to relieve the pain in order to exercise again. I went to forums and heard about Vitamin D deficiency and how it leads to joint and bone deterioration as well as depression, I heard about Krill Oil, Fish Oil and their anti-inflammatory benefits, I heard about Serrapeptase and its ability to dissolve non-living tissue in the body. I already knew about Glucosamine Sulfate being better than Glucosamin HCL as well as the benefits of Collagen, Boron, and Hyuralonic Acid supplements but Boswellia extract was new to me. I was living with pain, inflammation, and swelling joints so I was eager to learn about Boswellia. After reading up on the medical research and visiting medical and health forums to read people's experience with it, I decided that Boswellia was worth a try. I was taking the following supplements and added Boswellia after the 4th week. This is my routine: On empty stomach (take pills then wait 30 min to eat) 1 capsule Serrapeptase 40,000 SPU (3 times a day) 1 capsule Type II Collagen, Boron, Hyaluronic Acid supplement 1 capsule Boswellia extract (2 times a day) This was started 4 weeks into my routine. With food: 1 capsule of Glucosamine Sulfate 750 mg (2 times a day) 12,0000 IU Vitamin D3 soft gel 1 Krill Oil/Hyaluronic Acid soft gel 400 mg Magnesium soft gel (for muscle spasms and aches) 1 tbsp Liquid Vitamin B Complex (for energy) After the first week, the pain was slightly reduced and I was able to stop using the cane to stand up or climb stairs. But I still had severe pain on most days and my knees would lock up in horrible pain during long car rides or upon waking up in the morning. After the second week, the pain was getting better, I would still lock up after long car rides or after waking up but it took less time to work my joints and unlock my knees. I was climbing the stairs one step at a time. Coming back down the stairs took even longer but I was able to do it without help from anyone. After the third week, my knees stopped locking up but I was still feeling the pain in my joints. I was able to go up and down the steps one at a time but I was able to move faster. The pain in my knees was no longer excruciating. I was able to help pack and load an entire condo for moving, but I had to take a single Aleve pill to combat the pain. I started taking Boswellia between week 3 and 4 and noticed less joint swelling and burning sensations. After the fourth week I started to have pain free days. I could keep pace with other people when walking but not when climbing steps. However, I was able to climb steps normally at a slower pace. The swelling and burning I felt in my knees after long walks started to diminish at this point. It is now just over two months and I am 90% pain free. I am no longer in pain when I wake up. I can stand up without pain, walk and climb stairs without pain. I get mild aches in my knees during car trips, which resolve after a a couple of minutes of stretching. If I miss a couple of days worth of supplements I feel achy. If I miss the Boswellia, my knees get swollen and hot after a brisk walk. I make it a point to never skip any days. These supplements work better than any pain med I have tried. They don't cover the problem, they help in the healing process. It's been 1 1/2 months since I took any pain meds at all. I can only imagine how much better I will feel in another month or two. I feel good enough to start gentle exercise. I have a significant amount of weight I need to lose to relieve the burden on my joints. Based on what others have experienced with their weight loss, I am confident I will reach 100% pain relief once I shed the pounds. If it wasn't for the supplements, exercise wouldn't even be an option. I am so grateful for the pain relief that I tell anyone who will listen. It works. You have to stick to it every single day and have patience. It doesn't happen overnight, but it will happen. You will get better.