Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

I have an appointment with a rheumatologist in almost a month. I don't know why it takes so long, anyway it will be my first visit.

I have taken 10 days worth of indomathecin (commonly prescribed for gout to help reduce swelling and it did help some) and I'm popping about 2 aleves a day and my stomache just hurts and I know this is causing it.

My fingers are flaring and I cannot tightly close my hands at all and well, ya'll know how it feels.

I just feel like I need to be doing something more proactive than sitting around waiting for the rheumy appointment and whatever they are going to prescribe.

I have been researching anti-inflammatory diets and doing a colon clense. I feel like I have a pretty healthy diet now (I'm not over weight - male 5'8" 150lbs), but any suggestions would be welcome.

I tried Antibiotic Protocol and it did not work for me. It is suppose to be safer than traditional RA meds but I don't see how because antibiotics have side effects which can turn dangerous.

I tried cutting out certain friends, adding certain foods, taking supplements, etc.

The one thing that worked for me is the supplements. I can tell a difference.

I tried massage and it was too painful.

However, what works for one may not work for another. So, keeping an open mind about things to try (safe things) may help you find a useful tool in trating RA.

When I was diagnosed, I was so fortunate to find a support forum and someone mentioned using the antibiotic therapy. I got Henry Scammell's book, and after three months of the initial treatment with megadoses of Motrin, approached my Rheumatologist with the request to use Minocyline. He said pretty much "sure, why not?". (Turns out he knows and has worked with Henry Scammell on other things, but my doctor actually does not believe the theories involving why the antibiotic protocol would work). Long story short. It has been five full years now. And I am still using only the antibiotics. I have had my ups and downs. I started on a generic minocycline, which worked great. After about 6 months my Dr. thought it would be better to use Doxycycline, because there are no side effects (the minocycline can turn skin and teeth grey). So I switched to a generic Doxy and all was well. I reduced my dosage from two 100 mg caps per day down to one 100 mg cap on Mon, Wed, and Fri. All was wonderful, in complete remission. Then the doxy people messed with their formula (BEWARE - generic meds are continually being changed because they only need to show that they have the active ingredient. But with RA, the inert ingredients are every bit as important...because they are the molecules that take that active ingredient to where it will work. Or not.) Anyhow, for three months things just kept getting worse and worse. Switched to the minocycline, and gradually got much better. Then tried another brand of generic doxy, same problem. So after three different brands just would not work, I switched to the BRAND name, Vibramycin. Worked great. But expensive. So I started alternating between the Vibramycin and the cheap minocycline, again down to only one 100 mg cap on M-W-F. Then just a few months ago, the pharmacy switch minocycline brands on me. (got to keep that in mind...).The new brand just did not work, so started to get flares again. Quickly tried a different pharmacy, different brand, and it works. Took three months to get better after one week of flares, but am again back down to the 3 caps per week. But if I have any more of these issues, I will probably start using the Brand Minocin and the Brand Vibramycin only, no generics. THEREFORE I strongly recommend the following: START with the BRAND Minocin. Take as your doctor prescribes (when I started, it was 2 per day, 7 days a week. After 6 weeks I dropped it down to 1 per day and saw no problems, then gradually 5 days a week then down to 3.) I monitor how I feel...sometimes when a shoulder aches you do not know if it was the RA or did you strain your shoulder? Anyhow, this protocol absolutely 100% works for me. And I love the fact that I am not poisoning my body with those horrid chemo drugs and biologics that will basically open you up to certain death. I feel great. Feel a little guilty that I cannot get MORE PEOPLE TO TRY THIS. Get the book, read it, and find a way to get a prescription for Minocin. If you do not feel substantially better within two months, then it is not for you.

Tish that's excellent information! Thank you for sharing it, and I wish you continued success in your treatment.

Has it also decreased the amounts of viral infections you pick up? (curious)

I tried minocycline and it worked for me but gave me diarrhea so I had to stop it. I am on prednisone right now, 7.5 mgs and it is working but I am going to try some curcumin today at the health food store. I don't need to gain any more weight. I am actually scared to get on the scale b/c I am afraid I've gained some. Ugh!!! Good luck to you.

Hi gals, just FYI, the Doxycycline turns your teeth too!

I DO agree w/ ANY autoimmune disorder generic meds are usually OK, yet some meds you are FAR better off getting brand name, or one generic is FAR better than another.

I agree that the DMARDS are, at least for me, going to be a last resort & antibiotic therapy makes more sense... No corticosteroids ever again - to much to list here, but long-term symptoms that were/are unbearable.

This is great information.

I have seen mail order and Pharmacies change drugs with in and never tell me. I'm not fond of that practice. Did you know they were changing it before hand? And if you did how can I get pre-warned.

I have tried antibiotic therapy for 4 months with no results. Still flaring. I have added turmeric, and would like to add Ginger root. the curcumin I use is like taking a Motrin, only if there is pain. I take 3 capsules which usually upset my stomach, so i'm not sure I'll get it again. Not to much upsets my stomach.

I'm another that don't like steroids.

Even more I hate RA on RA

Has anyone tried SAM-E? I heard about it on fox news yesterday?

Here's some additional information on it:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/same/NS_patient-same

I did try sam-e at some point in life.... Can't remember the details, just that i didn't notice a difference