I am praying for your intentions. There is this stuff called glucosamine chondroitin with MSM. The original brand is Osteo Bi-Flex, but all the stores like ### and ### have come up with their own versions. And so far in six months even though it is expensive, I have been able to get all buy-one-get-one-free deals. That makes it way cheaper. The stuff is fantastic. I have knee condition called "chondromalacia patella." Means lousy, worn, raggedy knee cartilage. Have had for years. Is surgery for it, but the insurance company turned me down. I now do all sorts of exercises to bulk especially my quads that support the knee. Mainly, that means exercise bike. In addition, I take the glucosamine stuff. After about two months on it, I started to notice significant improvement in my knee function. Just occasional discomfort now. I didn't ask my doc before I started. I take other meds, and I have had no probs. I can't imagine any or any reason you can't take this stuff, but I am not a doc -- You should ask your doc before you begin it just to be on safe side. You are saying your joints are "cracking." Well this product is an excellent joint lubricant. Should help you very much. My father even takes it as arthritis prevention. Anyway, good luck with this. Again, I think you should ask your doc before you take it just to be on the safe, safe, safe side, but chances are excellent he/she will give you the green light. P.S.: This stuff claims it REBUILDS cartilage up to 38%. I believe them. PPS: Make sure you get kind with MSM.