Reddit mentions of Kirkland Signature Extra Strength Glucosamine HCI 1500mg, With MSM 1500 mg, 375-Count Tablets

As others have said keeping her on the light side weight wise is really important, not malnourished or anything but light. I have all mine taking Glucosamine (this one from Amazon is what I buy ) and salmon oil. For me there was a definite difference in my older dog after he started it and it certainly can't hurt to start early. The orthopedic beds are great especially if you catch one on sale. I've gotten great deals at Petsmart before during holiday sales on really big ones. Or if you find a good deal on one you can cut up a foam mattress topper and diy a bed. I got some at Target super cheap and stuffed them into old dog bed covers I had.

And while I love reddit some of the best places for info on this kind of stuff are breed based forums.

I track my intake on cronometer so it's nice that I've been able to look what vitamins/minerals I don't get enough of... my current focus is trying to save my hair so here's my current regimin:

1st thing in the morning 1/2 a tablet of this Iron w/ vitamin C with a full glass of water. I don't eat or drink anything else until at least an hour later.

With breakfast: this multivitamin. I've found it to be the most complete in terms of what I'm usually deficit in. Its one of the only multis that I found with a good amount of zinc.

Glucosamine for my joints.

And an omega 3. I choose this one because it has a good ratio of EPA to DHA.

With lunch: another multivitamin (the serving size is 3 capsules, so I spread them throughout the day because i feel like that would be better for absorption,

vitamin E

15g collagen

With dinner: The last multivitamin, another glucosamine tablet, and another omega.

I also make sure I eat dark leafy greens each day, pay attention to my calcium, and spend time in the sunshine. Otherwise I would supplement vit k, vit d, and calcium

And all that adds 107 calories to my intake. Which is sad, but worth it.

It's available on amazon for $0.05 per dose.

I have been taking turmeric for a couple weeks and I think it is helping my pain. Dosage is three a day, but I've been taking two. I have been told that my nerve pain is caused by inflammation from degenerative disc that I had surgery on in 2011. I also take glucosamine msm and fish oil. After a few weeks these seem more effective than epidural cortisone injections (in my experience only). The last time I had a pain flare up it lasted over 4 months and I got injections, took NSAIDS, started supplements and the pain subsided for almost 2 years, but I don't really know which of those helped and don't want to get injections again as I'm not sure side effects are worth it or if it even does anything. If you can get the inflammation under control, you might be able to stop supplements for a while, but I might keep taking these from now on to see if I can avoid another flare up. No side effects that I've noticed so way better than pharmaceuticals for me.

One of my teammates recommended glucosamine and I feel like it's helped my knees. They were stressed out from BJJ and bike commuting. I take this one.

Older dogs benefit from a variety of supplements, and there are several things you can do as your dog is getting older to help with these sorts of issues.

Joints/Bones:
Glucosimine/chondroitin - these are your standard osteo health suppliments. Really, most dogs over 75 lbs should be on some regimen of these as they get older. Don't be fooled by dog branded versions! You can buy these in bulk and save a lot. Here is a great example:
http://www.amazon.com/Kirkland-Signature-Strength-Glucosamine-375-Count/dp/B002RL8FD4/ref=sr_1_5?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1449599521&sr=1-5&keywords=glucosamine+chondroitin

Fish Oil: Fish oil acts as a natural lubricant, but it is important to bear in mind that dogs (as in humans) will not absorb as much as can be absorbed via pills. Frozen tilapia fillets are cheap and plentiful and also have a lot of other beneficial vitamins and such.

You're already off to a great start on those hips with that orthopedic bed, but it sounds like your dog might have lost some weight in her old age? Hips don't generally protrude more or less unless there is a weight change. Consider some organic no ingredient (just peanuts, peanut oil, salt)peanut butter as a way to introduce some extra calories into her diet without resorting to junk food. Although you don't want to fatten her up, keeping her a decent weight will keep her energy levels higher and there is some added protein in the peanut butter as well. This is easy to mix into a diet.

Having trouble getting up on the bed? Consider something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/aBaby-Classic-Step-Up-Storage-Espresso/dp/B00JFLYKHY/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1449600148&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=bed+stairs+for+people

It will take a bit of re-training to help your dog learn to follow steps. In my experience it is better to build these yourself to make it a good size for your dog/bed, also the smooth stairs sometimes are harder to grip than some 'uglier' rough stairs. A handyman should be able to build some basic steps for a case of beer and $50 for supplies.

Heating pads / ice packs are generally not the best ways to deal with this sort of thing. An unfortunate fact of your dog getting older is some new limitations, but the modicum of discomfort they feel is actually productive in keeping them functional. They are less likely to over-stress the joints if there is a little discomfort doing so. One thing you might talk to your vet about is a very light amount of Tramadol. I have a rottweiler with arthritis and joint pain in one leg from a birth defect, and although he doesn't let it slow him down, I find giving him a 1/2 tablet after a hike helps him just enough, basically a super tylenol. For my 85lb Rottie thats about .25mg.

Another thing you can try is turmeric! It has been proven to be a powerful anti-inflammatory and is generally dog safe. It does have a particular taste that not every dog will take to, but that can generally be circumvented with clever treats, and always more peanut butter. A dog about yours size would be about 2 teaspoons daily, but you might have to work up to it if she has a sensitive stomach or is a picky eater.

One very over looked part of a dogs (especially older dogs) life is their teeth. Good teeth help in your dogs old age will help her retain her appetite. An easy way to help this is beef back ribs. Typically available for 2-5 dollars for a single serving (for an 85lb dog, 1lb is plenty for a meal). DON'T COOK THESE! Rendered fat is not good for dogs, and cooked bones aren't good either (cooked bones splinter, raw bones do not). Straight raw in a clean environment and your dog and her teeth will love you for them! You can also do raw chicken carcasses [edit: spend extra to get non-factory chickens!] or lamb shanks if your dog has no allergies to either, and lamb is especially good for dogs.

Hope this is helpful.

I am currently not using my usual "joint supplements", and I definitely notice the difference. I don't have any pain, but there is a noticeable feeling. You might not need it, but you'll notice when you stop using it. I'm going to stock up soon. I stack joint supplements with Omegas. What's the overall benefit? Not sure, and I could go on, and on, but it would be very subjective. It works for me. I use this. If you purchase any joint supplements, make sure you buy the brand for humans, as joint supplements for animals are packaged similarly.

i would try glocusamine, it really help me out with my joint pain.

This is good advice.

Also if you're active, stuff like this helps a lot:
http://www.amazon.com/Kirkland-Signature-Strength-Glucosamine-375-Count/dp/B002RL8FD4/