The Tri-healing protocol for Shoulder and Knee: the tale of 2 lab rats
-
7/24/2026 Update
On day 8 of post-surgery for Rat#1. Tremendous amount of pain and sleepless nights despite meds.
The articles I've read seem to be all over the place as far as when the KLOW stack can be introduced. I've read within 72 hours, while others say 2 - 4 weeks. So decided to begin with GHK/KPV on Wednesday(7/22) evening. But unsure of when to introduce BP/TB....**For those who have experience with this, how soon after did you begin post-surgery? **
7/16/2026: Rat#1: in surgery as I type this, 2 - 4 wks post surgery will begin another cycle.
Rat#2: Will try another cycle in August
Update 6/20/26: Rat#1
He still feels pretty good, but can't do real heavy lifting which is required for his job.
BUT, had a follow up visit with Doc. More Xrays and MRIs, then was referred to Surgeon, which was not a good sign.Prior In 2018 when they opened his right shoulder, surgeon said it looked like hamburger, tissue is shredded, degenerative, not much to work with
Fast forward to now: after reviewing the Xrays and MRIs, they still want to do surgery, however, instead of a full shoulder replacement, will do another rotator cuff surgery and remove as much arthritis as they can, collarbone and shoulder are full of it.
Surgeon says, the tissue looks good and there is enough to sew to.
Whether the Cartalax/TB/BP combo was the reason, or whether his body simply had more regenerative capacity than they expected, IDK, but the fact remains, he now has repairable tissue where he previously had none. My thoughts are that the real evidence will show when they open it up again. Staying positive and hopeful
Post surgery, plan to start a Klow stack to help with the healing along with physical therapy. Eventually add in another cycle of Cartalax.
As for Rat#2: plan to restart research in the next month or so, I ain't giving it up yet
Lab Rat #1 — Shoulder OA + Post‑Surgical Pain
Background:
Two rotator cuff surgeries, arthritis in the joint, severe mobility limits. Couldn’t lift arms overhead, couldn’t hold weight, daily tasks were becoming impossible. Steroid injection in January gave ~2 weeks of relief. Durolane gave ~3 weeks. Advil was basically a food group. Shoulder replacement was on the horizon.
February — Research Cycle Begins
Baseline:Continued Vitamin D3 (5000 IU daily)
Week 1
Protocol:
BPC‑157: 0.5 mg (Mon–Fri)
TB‑500: 0.5 mg (Mon–Fri)
Injection sites rotated between bicep and shoulder areaNo weekend dosing. Notes: No side effects.
Week 2
Added: Cartalax 1 mg daily
Continued BPC‑157 + TB‑500 (same schedule)
Notes: No side effects → titrated Cartalax to 2 mg.Weeks 3–4
Protocol:
BPC‑157: 0.5 mg (Mon–Fri)
TB‑500: 0.5 mg (Mon–Fri)
Cartalax: 2 mg dailyObservation: Pain decreased
Could lift arms overhead for the first time in a long timePaused 1 week to assess → benefits maintained.
Cycle 2 (Weeks 1–4)
Repeated full protocol:
Cartalax 2 mg daily
BPC‑157 0.5 mg (Mon–Fri)
TB‑500 0.5 mg (Mon–Fri)Results: Significant improvement
Pain largely resolved
Shoulder mobility nearly normalCycle 3
Week 2 and going strong.Functional gains: Building cabinets, Holding tools for long periods, Using saws, Doing tasks previously impossible (couldn’t even hold a coffee pot before)
Side effects: None reported across all cycles. Some lab rats are reporting a sting with Cartalax, neither Rat#1 or 2 have experienced this.
Summary:
Lab Rat #1 = Energizer Bunny.Lab Rat #2 — Knee OA + RA
Baseline supplements: NR, NAC, Glutathione(oral Reduced, D3-K2, Astaxanthin,
CoQ10 + PQQ reintroduced Week 8Research Cycle — Week 1 (Started Apr 26)
Protocol:
TB‑500: 0.5 mg
BPC‑157: 0.25 mg
Cartalax: 1 mg
(Evening injections)Note:
Lab Rat #2 was cautious with BPC‑157 due to a prior eye‑related reaction in January. Started low. No recurrence of eye issues so far.Day 4 Observations:
Knees felt heavy, stiff, and fatigued
Literature suggests this can occur due to Collagen II upregulationMorning stiffness slightly improved the next day
Increased to 2 mg Cartalax
Knees still heavy
Stiffness/fullness without visible swelling
Monitoring bloodworkUpdate 3
Lab Rat #1 thriving.
Lab Rat #2… not so much.Stiffness → pressure → difficulty walking
Ice helped temporarily
Literature suggests this may be part of early “remodeling,” but unclear
Continued cautiouslyUpdate 4 (5/16/26)
Lab Rat #1 = unstoppable.
Lab Rat #2 = officially paused research.
Entered a full flare in both knees
Walking became extremely difficult
Pain escalated beyond “uncomfortable”
Waiting for orthopedic evaluation
Very disappointed — had high hopesImportant note:
Lab Rat #2 has RA + OA, which complicates responses and may explain the flare. This shouldn’t discourage others whose physiology is different.Rat#2 ORTHO appointment on 5/17/2026
Suspicions confirmed, it's the RA aggravating the OA, and the flare up is due to it was never really calmed down from Dec@WisGal64
Having Rotator Cuff surgery last June is what got me into peptides. I started GLOW 4 months after surgery to speed up the healing process and it helped a ton. The day I was ok’d to go back to the gym for extremely light weight and movements I started GLOW, 5 weeks later I was released to go back to normal lifting but just use precaution on weight and not to press anything overhead. 3 months later and switching to BPC-157 and TB-500 I can press overhead and lift with free weights without any limitations. Met the surgeon again last week and he was amazed at my progress and I owe it almost all to peptides -
To preface my comments, I had/have two torn shoulders. I would suggest adding MSM, Vit. C, and Hyaluronic Acid. It's important to provide your body with the raw materials to help recreate everything. Additionally, I ran KLOW, Cartalax, with the supplements previously mentioned and it has made a huge difference. I even fell off a ladder and landed on my elbow and my ribs hurt, but my shoulder was fine. I'm doing the same thing again in a few weeks.
-
To preface my comments, I had/have two torn shoulders. I would suggest adding MSM, Vit. C, and Hyaluronic Acid. It's important to provide your body with the raw materials to help recreate everything. Additionally, I ran KLOW, Cartalax, with the supplements previously mentioned and it has made a huge difference. I even fell off a ladder and landed on my elbow and my ribs hurt, but my shoulder was fine. I'm doing the same thing again in a few weeks.
@theckman80 said in The Tri-healing protocol for Shoulder and Knee: the tale of 2 lab rats:
To preface my comments, I had/have two torn shoulders. I would suggest adding MSM, Vit. C, and Hyaluronic Acid. It's important to provide your body with the raw materials to help recreate everything. Additionally, I ran KLOW, Cartalax, with the supplements previously mentioned and it has made a huge difference. I even fell off a ladder and landed on my elbow and my ribs hurt, but my shoulder was fine. I'm doing the same thing again in a few weeks.
Thanks for this. I just picked up some MSM this week, I'll look into the other 2, I do recall hearing about HA in the past.
-
@gym.rat said in The Tri-healing protocol for Shoulder and Knee: the tale of 2 lab rats:
Any update on your progress? How is Cartalax treating you? I'm particularly interested in the arthritis symptoms since I'm planning to take Cartalax strictly for this reason as I have severe big toe arthritis from an old soccer injury. I have to have a fusion or joint replacement at some point, but I'm too young at this moment. Praying cartalax has some type of positive effect against osteoarthritis.
I added an update at the top. If it looks too messy, let me know and I'll revise it
-
@mrnatural that is wonderful!
Did you experience any heaviness or stiffness in your knees when you first started the Cartalax?
@WisGal64 I'm glad this came up. I am feeling a little near pining site (near left shoulder). But nothing serious.
Also, When pinning, I find the syringe is a little more resistant.
As if Cartalax is a little less, I want to say, "lubricating" on the syringe compared to 157 or TB4. -
To preface my comments, I had/have two torn shoulders. I would suggest adding MSM, Vit. C, and Hyaluronic Acid. It's important to provide your body with the raw materials to help recreate everything. Additionally, I ran KLOW, Cartalax, with the supplements previously mentioned and it has made a huge difference. I even fell off a ladder and landed on my elbow and my ribs hurt, but my shoulder was fine. I'm doing the same thing again in a few weeks.
@theckman80 I will look into it asap. Thanks
-
@WisGal64 I'm glad this came up. I am feeling a little near pining site (near left shoulder). But nothing serious.
Also, When pinning, I find the syringe is a little more resistant.
As if Cartalax is a little less, I want to say, "lubricating" on the syringe compared to 157 or TB4.@Juan-Doe said in The Tri-healing protocol for Shoulder and Knee: the tale of 2 lab rats:
@WisGal64 I'm glad this came up. I am feeling a little near pining site (near left shoulder). But nothing serious.
Also, When pinning, I find the syringe is a little more resistant.
As if Cartalax is a little less, I want to say, "lubricating" on the syringe compared to 157 or TB4.Yes I did notice that with the shoulder area, we thought it was due to scar tissue from previous surgeries or rat#1 just has tough skin lol
-
@Juan-Doe said in The Tri-healing protocol for Shoulder and Knee: the tale of 2 lab rats:
@WisGal64 I'm glad this came up. I am feeling a little near pining site (near left shoulder). But nothing serious.
Also, When pinning, I find the syringe is a little more resistant.
As if Cartalax is a little less, I want to say, "lubricating" on the syringe compared to 157 or TB4.Yes I did notice that with the shoulder area, we thought it was due to scar tissue from previous surgeries or rat#1 just has tough skin lol
-
To preface my comments, I had/have two torn shoulders. I would suggest adding MSM, Vit. C, and Hyaluronic Acid. It's important to provide your body with the raw materials to help recreate everything. Additionally, I ran KLOW, Cartalax, with the supplements previously mentioned and it has made a huge difference. I even fell off a ladder and landed on my elbow and my ribs hurt, but my shoulder was fine. I'm doing the same thing again in a few weeks.
@theckman80 After doing my own research, I ordered msm and hyaluronic acid (already take vit. c) and should be in soon. Thanks
-
@Juan-Doe said in The Tri-healing protocol for Shoulder and Knee: the tale of 2 lab rats:
@WisGal64 As in takes a little more effort to push the syringe plunger.
Oh you mean like the pep is thicker?
-
@theckman80 After doing my own research, I ordered msm and hyaluronic acid (already take vit. c) and should be in soon. Thanks
@Juan-Doe that is great! I hope you get as good, if not better results than I did. I (my wife) injected the KLOW and Cartalax sub q on each side. I know for the bpc, it can make a difference where you inject, but i wanted to be as sure as possible. The idea was, BPC'157 for better blood flow into the cartridge. Tb-500 for creatinine better/more collagen and extra cellular matrix. GHK-Cu for gene expression and all the other cool stuff it does. KPV for reduced inflammation. MSM/HA/Vit C to provide the building blocks for the collagen/cartridge. And Cartalax for as the bioregulator to turn on chondrocyte production/gene expression.
I will say, taking the MSM/HA/Vit C in the morning and the shots at jight seemed like a good idea to me. It takes time to breakout all down and have it be available. Additionally, Vit-C and GHK-Cu are supposed to be taken at different times when applying topicly, soni figured id play it safe with the pills/injections.
-
To preface my comments, I had/have two torn shoulders. I would suggest adding MSM, Vit. C, and Hyaluronic Acid. It's important to provide your body with the raw materials to help recreate everything. Additionally, I ran KLOW, Cartalax, with the supplements previously mentioned and it has made a huge difference. I even fell off a ladder and landed on my elbow and my ribs hurt, but my shoulder was fine. I'm doing the same thing again in a few weeks.
@theckman80 what is the dosing protocol for the hyaluronic acid? is it sub Q or oral?
-
@theckman80 what is the dosing protocol for the hyaluronic acid? is it sub Q or oral?
@brandenscheidecker I took 600mg of low molecular weight HA per day oral route (PO). I've continued to take that same amount. The best way to take it would be in the joint and high molecular weight, but that would be gnarly! So, low molecular weight PO.is the way to go as far as I've seen.
-
do you have any update on subject #2. I have subject with both the shoulder and the knee issues. he's been told he needs a knee replacement and shoulder replacement, but that he's still "too young". so he wants to try and improve quality of life now, rather than waiting until the doctor decides he's old enough.
-
do you have any update on subject #2. I have subject with both the shoulder and the knee issues. he's been told he needs a knee replacement and shoulder replacement, but that he's still "too young". so he wants to try and improve quality of life now, rather than waiting until the doctor decides he's old enough.
@carolynelrod said in The Tri-healing protocol for Shoulder and Knee: the tale of 2 lab rats:
do you have any update on subject #2. I have subject with both the shoulder and the knee issues. he's been told he needs a knee replacement and shoulder replacement, but that he's still "too young". so he wants to try and improve quality of life now, rather than waiting until the doctor decides he's old enough.
Hi @carolynelrod i added update #4 to the post for reference
-
@WisGal64 Hi, I have been using KLOW (.5, .5, .5 and 2.5 GHK), cartalax (3mg) daily for 2.5 months. Injected at the knees for OA. I rotate KLOW and Cartalax side to side.
Knee caps very sore and medial compartment has the most OA.
I combined this with shockwave therapy. 3 session, will go back for 1-2 sessions after a small break
I could not walk without serious pain. Forget going down the steps. Walking nearly pain free now. I have Synvisc One injections intra articular in the AM at my ortho. So far so good. Still probably gonna have to get a TKR but for now it's been a great relief. Get me through the summer and deal with it in the winter@MrNatural Sounds so much better than a steroid shot
-
@juan-doe That could also be that the plug in the cartridge is a little canted or ‘sticky’ in the cartridge. I have had a couple of times now where depressing the button on the pen had a huge amount of resistance and almost wouldn’t dispense. Two different pens, two different peptides.
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login