Re:Minocycline or MTX?

[Guest guest]

I've used both of these drugs. Both gave me relief of my RA symptoms for a time.

I still take methotrexate in combination with Humira which I just started.

At higher doses MTX seemed to be stressing my liver.

Minocycline made my chronic HA worse.

I've read, somewhere, that there are about 60 pathways through which a chemical

is processed by the human body. At any of these points you or I may be

different. That's why, when you read about side effects, you see so many listed.

Few people experience a particular side effect, but if even one person reports

experiencing an unwanted effect it is recorded.

Some people are sensitive. However, its very important to remember the placebo

and the nocebo effects. If a medical professional tells us something will help,

there is a greater chance that we'll feel it does (which just might help). Also,

if a medical professional doesnt' communicate hopefulness or worries about side

effects we're more likely to be depressed/worry (which can make us more sick) or

experience more side effects. In otherwords, your or your doctor can psych

yourself up or psych yourself out.

At this point, while I try to read about the illness and the treatments, I rely

on my rheumatologist to make the final choice. She'll give me choices and I'll

say, " whatever you think best. " She tends to pick the meds that have the best 

proven record of safety and efficacy. And while my RA isn't in remission, my

fingers are straight and I'm working part-time so I'm doing pretty well.

Good luck on your decision.

ez