Different Antibiotic Protocols

[Guest guest]

In the process of researching the antibiotic protocol (I'm now reading,

" The Arthritis Breakthrough " by Scammell), I came across The Arthritis Trust

web site on the internet. It's an organization based in Tennessee and

appears to promote a different antibiotic protocol for rheumatoid disorders.

Can anyone tell me what the differences are and if this is something worth

pursuing? Is it legitimate? Are there any standards in antibiotic

treatment?

I'm also trying to understand the tradeoffs of starting " standard " medical

treatment through my rheumatologist versus the antibiotic protocol promoted

by Dr. Brown. Can you do both? I keep reading that most rheumatologists

now recommend aggressive treatment early on in the disease (beore the fist

year or two) to halt or slow down joint distruction and that there are a

number of drugs (some more toxic that others) that can do this. If you can

only do one or the other, how does one make an intelligent/informed

decision? My gut tells me to start the antibiotic protocol first and give

it 6 months or so to see what effect it has. If I don't see any

improvement, then consider more traditional treatment. Does this sound

rational?

I have had RA symptoms for approx. 2 months and so far my blood work is

negative. Unfortunately, my symptoms have gotten worse. I am scheduled to

visit my rheumatologist again in about one month, at which point she may

suggest " serious " drugs.

Thanks for any advise/help you can provide.

kburr@...

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/24/99 3:40:13 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

kburr@... writes:

<< My gut tells me to start the antibiotic protocol first and give

it 6 months or so to see what effect it has. If I don't see any

improvement, then consider more traditional treatment. Does this sound

rational? >>

Dear ,

Your guts are right. Believe them. I have had RA for 26 year and am not

doing very well at all. I only wish I had known about this treatment when I

was first diagnosed.

I had been on all of the *Standard* protocols. Mtx. for 13 and 1/2 years

and just got worse and worse so all they do is increase the dosage and add

more drugs on top of it. The flares keep on and we get sicker and sicker and

more joint destruction. Mtx worked for me for awhile and I was sucker enough

to keep on it. I quit it cold turkey in Feb 98 and started the AP in Jan 98.

I am not doing very well yet but I am still going to stay on it and see it

through. It may take me 5 years because I have had RA for 26 years. There

is no light at the end of the tunnel on the standard treatments. With the AP

you could be all better in a year or less. Try it and see.

You won't find a better group of people than this group to work with you and

see you over all of the painful episodes and the discouragements you might

have.

Let us know what you decide and how you are getting along.

Sincerely, Anita

RA 26 years, Fibro, AP 16 months