Q: I was rear ended about 10 years ago which resulted in a herniated disc in my neck (C-2). I have managed the pain with occasional chiropractic care. Through the years the pain has radiated to the point where I was having some rather significant sciatic pain. I am 57 years old and very active and have always believed the best pain reliever was to simply resolve to keep moving! The sciatic pain, however, was beginning to greatly concern me. I haven’t sought much medical intervention because it seems they only want to either do surgery or prescribe pain medication, neither of which I am in favor of.
I was up early one morning several weeks ago and saw an infomercial on a product called Arthri-D3. I am not one to be swayed by early morning television, however it sounded intriguing, so I purchased it. No kidding, within two days of taking it, the sciatic pain was GONE! The ingredients are listed as 2000 IU of vitamin D3; N-acetyl-glucosamine; turmeric, boswelia, ashwagandha and yucca. My friends and family members all think I am nuts. The sciatic pain is GONE. Am I crazy or could this combination actually have relieved the pain I was having? I value your opinion and would love to know what you think.
A: Arthri-D3 is commercially available as a dietary supplement that combines N-acetyl glucosamine with plant extracts and vitamin D3. The quality of glucosamine contained is purported by the manufacturer to be better than other forms available on the market. It is a derivative of shellfish, so those individuals with a shellfish allergy should not take the product that costs about $70 for a one-month supply. It is recommended people take the product with food for a more effective outcome and that it should be used for three months before making a determination as to whether it works sufficiently.
NAG N-Acetyl-D-Glucosamine is not available in most health supplement facilities. Turmeric is known to have a number of healthy benefits as an antioxidant. Boswelia is an herb with purported health benefits. Ashwagandha promotes an increased energy level. Yucca contains an abundance of dietary fiber. Bromelain is digestive enzymes, commonly found in pineapples. So, can I emphatically state the combination of ingredients will work for the majority of people who try it? Absolutely not. What I can say, however, is that if you gave it a try and it worked for you, congratulations.
Controversy on the product is plentiful. Some sources state the exact ingredients remain unknown, that because it is a supplement, testing has not been performed and there is no evidence to prove the product will help with anything. However, this is true of most supplements. Some interested parties have attempted to telephone the company but have been placed on hold for over an hour and following that time, they still were unsatisfied. One source indicated that after taking it for five days, she suffered from gas, irritable bowel symptoms and headaches. Someone else indicated that after five weeks, cartilage will presumably begin to re-grow; however, there is no evidence to substantiate the claim. On the upside, the supplement may contain ingredients that can help boost overall health and reduce symptoms. It remains unclear if there is any money back guarantee involved. Windmill Health Products was appointed the exclusive distributor for the product in 2011 and endorses a “contact Us” at 1-800-822-4320 or through their website. I am unsure where the product can be purchased. Perhaps that question can be addressed to the phone number listed or from the internet. For those individuals who remain skeptical, you might consider over-the-counter glucosamine/chondroitin that can be purchased through your local pharmacy.
Sciatic pain does not result from a C2 injury, but from impingement on the lumbar sacral region. Nonetheless, I’d be grateful for a follow-up to document whether your initial findings of success have continued. It would allow other readers to decide if Arthri-D3 might be right for them.
