The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
COPD, Skin
Posted by Liz (Buffalo, Ny) on 07/24/2012
★★★★★
hi, I tried msm about 9 weeks ago for pain and allergies, did nothing for either, but my lungs feels so much better, I have copd and feel much better also great for skin, I use between 4-6grams a day. Yea to msm!
Allergies
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 02/15/2011
★☆☆☆☆
I had said here a while ago that I wanted to try MSM for my allergies, hoping it would do something for my lower back pain as well but unfortunately, after almost 5 weeks nothing happened. My allergies are the same as before, sometimes itching eyes and throat and sneezing, my back pain has actually got worse. Since yesterday I am really worrying but I don't want to go to the doctor yet. Before I started taking it I read a book and I was convinced, in the meanwhile, because I had a friend coming over from the USA I ordered another book which was a lot less expensive over there to be sent to his home address. I am now starting to read it and really, it feels like a bad joke! Is it as good as they say but it just didn't work with me? It seems to do wonders for so many people.....
Right now I really fear for my back! I am 53, not too old yet but feeling like an old lady! The pain started almost 5 years ago when we got a foam mattrass, equally for me and for my husband so we thought the mattrass was to blame. 18 months ago we decided to go for one twice as expensive. My husband didn't want foam again but I felt comfortable in this one and too bad he didn't insist he didn't want it. He still has problems but I am far worse than he is especially because during the week I tend to read in bed for a bit in the morning. If I sleep on my back it is even worse. The only thing that seems to have got better with the MSM is my digestion, nowadays I eat and I never feel full.
Hair and Nails
Posted by Belle (Los Angeles, CA)
★★★★★
I recently started to take MSM to help with neck pain. While it's too soon to tell if it is helping, I can report that it is making my nails grow like crazy!!
Joint Pain
Posted by Art (California) on 02/26/2025 2460 posts
Frozen Shoulder
Posted by Marsh (CO) on 07/01/2021
★★★★★
My husband started taking MSM for his frozen shoulder. He believes it significantly helped. After taking it for about 2 weeks he came across an old interview with James Coburn, the actor. His RA was so debilitating, prescription drugs weren't helping. He discovered MSM and said that was the only thing that would help him get out of bed. (Me, I can't take it as it causes heart palps.)
Tendonitis
Posted by Rc (Dallas) on 04/22/2015
★★★★★
I experienced a mild case of tendonitis and learned about MSM. I found MSM in my health food store. I have had great results using a teaspoon mixed with the vitamin C packet.
Shoulder Pain
Posted by Cate (Melbourne, Vic., Australia) on 08/05/2012
★★★★★
I've found relief after two days of 1/2 teaspoon 3 times a day of MSM in water or juice for a chronic shoulder problem. It would ache sitting here at the comp. Desk, lying in bed, cooking, doing dishes and driving, even walking around. Constant irritation, now gone. I'm so excited about this stuff.
Deidre, infinite blessings! : )
Dosage and Tips
Posted by Angel (Brooklyn, NY) on 03/26/2012
★★★★★
Let me let all of you know that some pills or capsules have added stuff to them like fills and floaters (not to say its only in pills or capsules) things like that in them so
I advise everyone to try taking opti-msm flake its pure its in a crystal form and which is its original form but crushed into a powder form so you could drink it. My only side effect with it is sleepiness which now I found out from reading someone's post that you shouldn't take it after 2 pm or you will experience sleepiness but I still do cause it's not much of a problem.
To test if the powder is real with no fillers or floaters all you have to do is take a glass cup (a clear one of course) and put (WARM WATER) into the cup and put 1/2 teaspoon of msm (or two 1/2 teaspoons if you want to be sure) into the cup and stir with a clean spoon after it dissolves in the glass cup of water it should be clear as if you never put anything into the glass cup
NOTE: give the water a little time to settle after you stir. If you happen to notice a fog or floaters in it, DON'T TAKE IT call and get your money back cause your not getting it from professionals that actually want you to have the real thing they only care about money, the jerks.
I advise you to get it from another supplier that knows about msm.
Hip Pain
Posted by Nickie (Ruislip, Middlesex England) on 02/01/2012
★★★★★
Hi
I started using MSM for a painful arthritic hip and noticed the difference within a couple of days. Don't know how it reacts with pharmaceuticals as I don't use them. By the way, as reassurance, they give MSM to horses so it must be OK since folks take good care and invest a lot of money in their animals. Matter of fact I'm getting my next supply from the local stables; much more economical.
Dosage and Tips
Posted by Robyn (New Plymouth, New Zealand) on 07/30/2011
★★★★★
Re: side effects to MSM, it must be taken with a 1/3 Vitamin C.
I make capsules up with Vit C powder or make sure I have at least 1000 C every time I take MSM. This may help those who get a reaction to it.
Allergies
Posted by Bess (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on 02/15/2011
Hi Francisca - Sorry that MSM didn't help your allergies. It was one of the few things that worked for me.
However, in Dr. J. Wright's newsletter (he operates a clinic in Washington state), he recommends the following for allergies:
There are several vitamins that can help reduce -- and in some cases eliminate - inhalant (i. E. , environmental) allergy symptoms.
Vitamin C is always the first vitamin to try. It's been shown to reduce bronchial, nasal, and sinus allergy symptoms. I recommend the "bowel tolerance" quantity of vitamin C. Basically, this means using as much vitamin C as possible, every three to four hours, without causing gas or loose bowels. For some people, this is 1, 000 milligrams (1 gram) three to four times daily; for others, it can be 4 grams or more three to four times daily.
Some people with inhalant allergies also find that taking 1, 000 milligrams of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) along with vitamin C three to four times a day helps relieve their symptoms even more than vitamin C on its own.
I don't know if that is something you might consider trying. Good luck!
Side Effects and Warnings
Posted by Lisa (Lafayette, La) on 09/27/2010
Troy, I am sure everyone understands what detox is. But when your 48 yr old husband whom you love more than life itself wakes up in the middle of the night with a heart jumping out of control after taking msm for 2 days, detox is the last thing on your mind!!! My hubby had already made 2 trips to the ER with rapid heartbeat a couple years ago. These symptoms decreased to almost zero with the addition of magnesium, co-q-10 and L-carnitine to his daily diet, but is now truly down to zero after adding d-3, k-2, quercetin and milk thistle. Yay!! Then last night, he had another episode thing with the heart pounding. I also had severe head pain and EXCESSIVE thirst, even though I drink tons of water. We are stopping this msm after only 2 days. He doesn't need it bad enough to experience heart problems, and try to work through a "detox". I need HIM around more than he needs msm! To encourage someone to stay on something that is causing serious side effects is simply dangerous advise in my opinion! Arthritic and joint pain can be treated with Hyaluronic Acid, which is what we are doing. Husband just wanted to add the msm to see if the results would be even greater, so that's why we added it to our mix. Not anymore, though! I'm throwing out that big bag of white powder today!
Trigger Finger
Posted by Charlie (Ft. Smith, AR) on 07/23/2006
★★★★★
I used both Apple Cider Vinegar and MSM to cure a "trigger finger". ' A big knot appeared on the inside of my thumb joint. It was EXTREMELY painful. I couldn't write or do anything with that hand. I didn't realize how important my thumb was. The dr. gave me a cortisone shot in it (ouch) and said if that didn't help, he would have to do surgery and cut the tendons in my thumb to try and relieve the pain. The cortisone shot didn't help. I received a magazine in the mail shortly after this talking about
MSM. I decided I had nothing to lose by trying it. After a few weeks of using MSM, ALL the pain went away. (This all happened about 5 years ago). The knot was still there even though the pain was gone (it was a very obvious knot). I then started taking apple cider vinegar tablets and WOW, the knot disappeared!! It is still gone and so is the pain.
Cardiovascular Health
Posted by Tessa (Okanagan) on 02/14/2021
Hi Mary (MA) -
I apologize in advance for the long post!
I always start on a low dose and then increase it very gradually to avoid any stomach issues. This may be why I didn't have any side effects.
For the MSM, I started at 1/8 teaspoon of the crystals (sometimes called powder depending on the brand) which, according to the container, is 625 mg. I took this twice a day (with or without food) – once in the morning, then again in the early afternoon.
I put the crystals on my tongue and immediately drink water to flush it down. You can barely taste it this way. Also, it's very important to stay hydrated when taking MSM.
Over weeks, I gradually increased the dose (1/4 teaspoon, then 3/4 teaspoon, etc.) until I was taking 1 teaspoon (5 grams) twice a day.
For some reason I stopped at the beginning of Covid-19 when I started taking quite a few other supplements. But I'm back taking it – returning to a low dose, gradually increasing it until I'm taking 1 teaspoon twice daily.
Vitamin C enhances MSM.
I take ascorbic acid in crystal form (sometimes called powder) throughout the day (about 1/8 teaspoon which is 600 mg depending on your brand). I put it directly on my tongue and wash it down. If you do this every hour or so, you get a regular low-dose intake of Vitamin C. I had no reactions doing this (and it prompts me to drink water every hour!).
I always use the crystal or powder form of Vitamin C and MSM so I don't have the unwanted additives they use in capsules/tablets.
I like Andrew Saul's information on Vitamin C and other vitamins (like Niacin). He's a down-to-earth type of guy.
http://www.doctoryourself.com/
Best wishes!
Tessa
How to Take MSM
Posted by Cindy (Illinois, Usa) on 07/15/2015 533 posts
I set out some MSM water for the dogs. I set it next to their regular water and they drank it down.
Second day, they didn't drink any but drank a lot of plain water.
Third day, same. No MSM water but plain water though not as much as the day before.
Fourth day (today) they're drinking some MSM but not as much as the first day.
Both dogs seem to be doing the same thing but they're not drinking together. Just consuming and abstaining at about the same intervals.
Same water I'm drinking - with just enough MSM to make it taste good.
How to Take MSM
Posted by Cindy (Illinois, Usa) on 12/08/2016 533 posts
If you have kidney stones, then you're dehydrated and one effect of dehydration is oil in the urine. So, in a way, it's the illness itself that allows the cure.
Olive oil has special properties that make it different from other oils to begin with, and it is only now being studied more closely to identify those differences.
Dosage and Tips
Posted by Chris (Kansas) on 11/24/2024
Health Ranger store has MSM flakes that are lab verified by his food lab. Provides 99.9% Pure OptiMSM Non-GMO Halal-certified by our supplier Certified Kosher Contains no pesticides or herbicides Contains no gluten Contains no artificial sweeteners or preservatives Vegan Glyphosate Tested
Dosage and Tips
Posted by Shesgg (Sandusky, Oh) on 07/23/2012
★★★★★
Hi, I just wanted to add to be sure and take 1000 mg vitamin C along with the 2 teaspoons of MSM for arthritis pain or blood sugar/blood pressure. I have had good success with this amount each day. I slowly drink the MSM in about 2 liters of water throughout the day and take the Vitamin C in between there sometime.
Love this stuff, hope it doesn't cause problems down the road with surprising side effects but so far so good.
Creaky Joints
Posted by Babs (Washington, Dc) on 06/15/2011
★★★★★
I've been taking MSM for 6 weeks and I am very pleased with the results. My bones were squeaking like an old machine :) Not any more.
Allergies
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 02/16/2011
Hi Bess, thanks so much for all the information, I really appreciate! Yes, quite odd the MSM didn't help... I am taking three half teaspoons three times a day so that would make 7, 5g a day but there were no changes at all, not for my back pain either..... I feel rather frustrated! I am now reading "The power of MSM" by Earl Mindell and he advises taking MSM together with Vit. C, quercitin and pantothenic acid for allergies so a bit like what I read in your post but adding MSM and quercitin. In the past I have taken quercitin but not in this combination although, if I am not wrong, it was a complex with pantothenic acid but again it didn't really solve my problem.
Right now, together with the MSM powder (I buy it in the UK because here I only find tablets and even there they don't seem to sell crystals) which is almost finished I take 3 times a day 1g of Vit. C and also Vit. E. For the pain I might try Hyaluronic Acid which I can buy in the UK (we are going there soon and I always visit the same health food shop). But I am also going to the doctor tomorrow, something I dread doing, because I stopped taking the anticonceptive pill and the fact that the pain now is worse might be a consequence of me missing some hormones, that has always given me back pain in the past! The troubles of menopause, I suppose.....
Dosage and Tips
Posted by Anna (St Louis, Mo) on 01/16/2011
★★★★★
I read that MSM will last in the body for only 12 hours. It sounds correct that most people on this site that are getting good results are taking it twice a day. Someone below said it may cause sleeplessness, so don't take it after 2pm. These are all good things to know to get the best results.
Knee Pain
Posted by Elyn (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Usa) on 12/12/2010
★★★★★
I started on powdered MSM 6 weeks ago for my arthritic knees. Although they still twinge on occasion, they're MUCH better. One additional delight was that the nasty heel spur that I've been suffering with since about Christmas last year-- the pain is GONE!!! I don't understand! My chiropractor said the MSM didn't cure it -- it just is masking the pain and that I need to be taking calcium in addition. The MSM tastes funky at first-- my husband won't touch it. It's an acquired taste but I don't notice it anymore. I highly recommend it.
Where to Buy
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 08/06/2010 490 posts
Hi Peter from Chicago,
Happy to share with you where I purchase my MSM. Hope they have a farmer's co-op near you because that is where I purchase mine. Just go to the co-op and head for the animal medicine section. The container will be labeled "not for human consumption". If you can't find a co-op there, I used to order mine from ProFormula Labs in Davies, Fla. If you do get at the co-op, just make sure that it is packaged well and is l00% pure MSM. Lots of luck on getting rid of that problem. Another possibility you might call AHC Products in Winchester, Ky. 859-737-3441. This is the brand I have been getting at the present co-op and I know that they put it out in 2 1/2 lb & 6 lb containers. Don't be afraid to use the large end of the scoop once or twice a day - allegedly Dr. Jacob's has had no unwanted side effects from taking the race horse dose for years and neither have I.
Where to Buy
Posted by Adele (Portland, OR) on 08/21/2014
The very best MSM is either from Kalahealth or Dr Jacob's own lab in Portland, OR, JacobLab, which is run by his son.
COPD
Posted by Kim (Birmingham, England ) on 09/21/2009
★★★★★
I have been taking MSM for a while now and I have to say my asthma/COPD is much improved. However, MSM does contain sulphates which some individuals may be sensitive to and may cause some side effects. I have read from a very good source that this can be largely overcome by taking a supplementation of molybedenum(500mcg). Hope this helps.
