Re: antibiotic treatment for RA

[Guest guest]

Hi Tony, welcome to the list. You have come to the right place.

I have been on RA for 14 years and found this therapy at the beginning

of this year and started May.3. I could get good results already.

I can't believe this success for myself yet, but feeling fine now.

I started Sulfasalazine at the same time of starting AP, and had bad

side effect of headache. I quit to take it and about the same time,

anti-biotic (Minocycline--Minomicin in Japan) kicked in.

I heard that the earlier to start AP, the faster it will kick in, but wait

a just moment and read thoroughly the protocol and diet protocol and

FAQ which can be obtained from rheumatic.org site. I have just started

the therapy and haven't enough experience but I can clearly say that

it is necessary to start from low dose of 50 mg and gradually increase

the dose until the level which you can tolerate, maybe 200 mg MWF.

Oh, MWF means Monday, Wednesday and Friday. And you must learn

about Herxhimer effect and diet protocol. This group is very supportive,

so you can ask anything you want. Good luck Tony.

Norio

P.S. To get prescribed by anti-biotic, you need not to stop all the drugs

your doctor prescribe to you. When AP works for you, you can decrease

or stop other drugs. Just ask doctor for adding Minocin, because this way

seems to be more successful than arguing with doctor about AP.

Tony Milligan wrote:

>

> From: " Tony Milligan " <amillig1@...>

>

> I just found this list today...I was diagnosed with RA in April...I've been

> on NUMEROUS drugs to control it (Sulfasalazine, Plaquinil, Methotrexate,

> Prednison)....I hate taking all these things...I am getting better but

> suffer from headaches from all the drugs (at least that is what I am

> attributing them to...I know headaches are supposed to be a side affect of

> Sulfasalazine..) I am trying to find better ways to treat this disease other

> than poisoning miself with all these drugs...I feel polluted..

> I have heard of treatment for RA using antibiotics and have mentioned it

> to my RD...he doesn't seem too willing to give it a try....I can't find

> another RD because I am in the navy and get what I get....anyone have any

> suggestions on treating this? tks...

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

Tony,

I would strongly recommend you read the material on the website and I

would also recommend reading The New Arthritis Breakthrough. This will

explain the theory behind this type of treatment, as well as the medical

establishment's reluctance to embrace it. It's all very easy to read

and understand, you won't need a medical degree. :}

If you are still interested in trying the AP (antibiotic protocol),and I

think you will be, I would then recommend printing off the doctor's

protocol from the website and taking that, along with any other

materials you deem appropriate to convince your doctor (i.e., the book,

FAQ from the website, etc.), to your doctor's office and demand a chance

to try the AP. Many of us have had to insist that our doctors let us

try it and for the most part, they've reluctantly agreed. If yours

doesn't, I would do whatever it takes to get a doctor who will. You

need to educate yourself about this treatment as most doctors aren't

familiar with it and you'll have to help your doctor to learn about it

if you want the treatment. The main thing is to get a prescription for

Minocin and this group can help with most of the rest. In the meantime,

check out the diet on the website, follow it the best you can and drink

tons of water, that is very important to help get the toxins out of your

system.

Good luck deciding what to do and hope you decide to join us.

a

Tony Milligan wrote:

>

> From: " Tony Milligan " <amillig1@...>

>

> I just found this list today...I was diagnosed with RA in April...I've been

> on NUMEROUS drugs to control it (Sulfasalazine, Plaquinil, Methotrexate,

> Prednison)....I hate taking all these things...I am getting better but

> suffer from headaches from all the drugs (at least that is what I am

> attributing them to...I know headaches are supposed to be a side affect of

> Sulfasalazine..) I am trying to find better ways to treat this disease other

> than poisoning miself with all these drugs...I feel polluted..

> I have heard of treatment for RA using antibiotics and have mentioned it

> to my RD...he doesn't seem too willing to give it a try....I can't find

> another RD because I am in the navy and get what I get....anyone have any

> suggestions on treating this? tks...

>

[Guest guest]

Tony Milligan wrote:

>

> Where can I find some more information on the Herbal Remedies for RA....I've

> asked about them in the other list I was a part of but they were pretty much

> against alternatives to DMARDS....herbal remedies and the like were

> taboo....I would like to do this as naturally as possible.

> Tks...Tony

Tony,

To my knowledge the herbals used for RA are assistive, meaning they

reduce inflammation, swelling and can put the disease into remission.

But remember, REMISSION IS SLEEP - NOT CURE!

The herbals, if they work for you, are generally far superior to and

more friendly to your body than are Rx meds. But it is still necessary

to wage a campaign against the invading microorganisms in order to be

" cured " . On my last go round I used the herbal RA SPES to put my RA back

into remission. It was given to me by a Homeopath who had gotten my RA

into remission previously.

This time I am not settling for having this sleeping dragon lay. I have

engaged the AP, and continue using RA SPES to manage the nefarious Herx.

For starters on herbs you can go to the archives of the support group

at:

http://onelist.com

enter your email and password

click rheumatic

click [view archives]

enter a search word (I tried herb and got ~ 150 msgs)

Wade through there and you'll get the latest discussions. Then go to:

http://www.rheumatic.org/support.htm at the bottom of the page

for more topics of interest;

http://www.rheumatic.org/links.htm for links to yet more;

http://chili.rt66.com/hrbmoore/Abstracts/Abstracts.html

for info on herbs in general;

http://www.onhealth.com/ch1/in-depth/item/item,33399_1_1.asp

and its accompanying links on herbs & homeopathy;

http://www.onhealth.com/ch1/resource/althealth/item,15037.asp

excellent brief on Homeopathy;

http://rheumatic.org/diet.htm on how to eat;

http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Gallery/6412/RA-SPES.htm

herbal page; and

http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Gallery/6412/Supplements.htm

supplements;

Hope these help you out.

--

Geoff Crenshaw -----------------------

Captain Cook's Cruise Center ** Usual Disclaimers **

-----------------------

Religion: Man's attempt to discover God

Christianity: God's offer to save humankind

[Guest guest]

I was on Prednisone, Plaquenil, MTX for the first six months, but my hands and

fingers hurt so bad and were so swollen I couldnt close my fingers. I finally

started Minocin and the swelling went away almost immediately. I am off all

drugs except for the antibiotics and doing good. a [ ] antibiotic treatment for RA

I would appeciate hearing from anyone who has undergone antibiotic

treatment for RA and whether it helped or not.

[Guest guest]

I have been using minocycline for antibiotic therapy for about 15

months now. When I started I was also using a high dose of plaquenil

and celebrex. I am doing really well. My RF has come down 50%, and all

my other blood tests are normal now except for the ANA-SSA, which

still improved over 100 points. And on clinical exam, I show no signs

of inflammation anymore. Two years ago I could barely lift my arms or

roll over in bed.

My rheumatologist has been great. It's a very reasonable and

affordable treatment. I highly recommend. Send an email if you would

like to talk more about it.

Bonnie Lou

[Guest guest]

I've printed out your post and intend to discuss it with my Rheumatologist. I'm

on MTX but it seems to be just keeping my condition just on the edge of

improvement and the dose keeps going up. This sounds hopeful in that my

condition was very similar to yours. Thanks.

Stan,

Seattle, Cloudy and cold.

-------------- Original message --------------

From: " bonlucas " <bonlucas@...>

I have been using minocycline for antibiotic therapy for about 15

months now. When I started I was also using a high dose of plaquenil

and celebrex. I am doing really well. My RF has come down 50%, and all

my other blood tests are normal now except for the ANA-SSA, which

still improved over 100 points. And on clinical exam, I show no signs

of inflammation anymore. Two years ago I could barely lift my arms or

roll over in bed.

My rheumatologist has been great. It's a very reasonable and

affordable treatment. I highly recommend. Send an email if you would

like to talk more about it.

Bonnie Lou

[Guest guest]

hi stan many rheumatologists are not open to the antibiotic protocol

even though a clinical trial was done on minocycline - MIRA. my rheumy

knew i was taking it but he had my gp rx it for me. you can get more

scientific info to show your doc off the road back foundation website.

they can also give you contact info for a doc in your area that does the

antibiotic protocol.

monique

I've printed out your post and intend to discuss it with my

Rheumatologist. I'm on MTX but it seems to be just keeping my condition

just on the edge of improvement and the dose keeps going up. This sounds

hopeful in that my condition was very similar to yours. Thanks.

Stan,

Seattle, Cloudy and cold.

[Guest guest]

I used Doxycyline (I'm in Aust and it's still not registered as a DMARD

I used to get it under script for " severe acne " which I don't have) for

the best part of 8 years with my RA and had great results. It took a

lot for me to move to the " harder line " DMARDS when the results

continued to wane over the last 3 years and my joint errosions were

worsening significantly. But my feelings are this was due to my

constant (misdiagnosed) bouts of Rheumatic Fever from Strep A

(tonsillitis). I urge anyone with any thought they may have got their

RA from an infection to follow this line of treatment and find a doc

who will utilise the suggested regimne with other antibiotics (such as

penicillin and amoxcyllin etc).

This may sound bizzare but I had what my rheumy said were bouchards

nodules on my hands - when I started high dose, long term penicillin

they disappeared. I no longer have any at all. I still take a

prophylaxis dose of penicillin 2 times a day but this is to ensure I

don't get the Strep A /RF again as my heart is damaged.

Admittedly the MXT & Salzopyrine isn't much better than the results I

was getting from the Doxycyline and Arava didn't do a thing - I start

enbrel this week. The prednisone is the only thing keeping things

remotely at bay but obviously not a long term solution.

Even if you don't feel your RA started from infection the results prove

that this family (tetracyclines) of antibiotics suppress the existence

of destructive Cytokines and this was why the Minocin derivate was

formed. As a " starter " drug my personal opinion is it should be offered

to all patients first diagnosed with RA due to it's low toxicity and

side effects and great results. I struggled to find out about this 4

years into diagnoses (after gold gave me terrible side effects) and

found out about it reading a book I found in the library, which I was

truly grateful it was a hard road trying to find a doc and Rhuemy to

support it though!

We should all be offered the options available and allowed to choose

our own treatment based on as much knowledge as is available and it not

be so difficult to get this information when it's already hard enough

just to get to the next day.

Take care and i'm glad this topic arose it's one that not enough RA

patients are not aware of yet has been around and utilised for over 60

years and if can be given to teenagers just to treat acne then you can

understand how few side effects are reported.

>

> I have been using minocycline for antibiotic therapy for about 15

> months now. When I started I was also using a high dose of plaquenil

> and celebrex. I am doing really well. My RF has come down 50%, and

all

> my other blood tests are normal now except for the ANA-SSA, which

> still improved over 100 points. And on clinical exam, I show no signs

> of inflammation anymore. Two years ago I could barely lift my arms or

> roll over in bed.

>

> My rheumatologist has been great. It's a very reasonable and

> affordable treatment. I highly recommend. Send an email if you would

> like to talk more about it.

>

> Bonnie Lou

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Guys

I was under the understanding that Minocin was an accepted DMARD in

your pharmaceutical plans in the States about 3-4 years ago after the

numerous double blind studies were done (in addition to the older

MIRA)- is this not the case? Or is it just that Rheumy's are not

accepting of it so are not offering it?

The Roadback was the book I originally read - there's been numerous

reprints and updates written since the one I found in the library.

It's still a great read though and I personally bought a hard copy

and have loaned it to many people with mixed results and opinions,

but at least they were allowed the chance to have it.

--- In , Sauve <moniquesauve@...>

wrote:

>

> hi stan many rheumatologists are not open to the antibiotic

protocol

> even though a clinical trial was done on minocycline - MIRA. my

rheumy

> knew i was taking it but he had my gp rx it for me. you can get

more

> scientific info to show your doc off the road back foundation

website.

> they can also give you contact info for a doc in your area that

does the

> antibiotic protocol.

>

> monique

>

[Guest guest]

Bonnie - Your Rheumy worked with you on the Minocycline Antibiotic

Therapy? Wow!! My Rheumy told me that if I wanted to try it, I had to

go to an infectious disease doctor. Imagine that! And of course it is

not an option for me as I don't have insurance and am barely scraping

by with what I have to do now as it is.

Glad you have done so well with it. I pray your numbers keep coming

down.....Doreen

>

> I have been using minocycline for antibiotic therapy for about 15

> months now. When I started I was also using a high dose of

> plaquenil and celebrex. I am doing really well. My RF has come down

> 50%, and all my other blood tests are normal now except for the

> ANA-SSA, which still improved over 100 points. And on clinical

> exam, I show no signs of inflammation anymore. Two years ago I

> could barely lift my arms or roll over in bed.

>

> My rheumatologist has been great. It's a very reasonable and

> affordable treatment. I highly recommend. Send an email if you

> would like to talk more about it.

>

> Bonnie Lou

>

[Guest guest]

I agree with Bonnie, it surely has worked for me. My RA doc had never

prescribed antibiotics before but he listened to logic and was so nice to help

me. Anyone need a good RA in the Dallas Tx area, just let me know. Oh, be sure

you take probiotics with the antibiotics, very important. a

[ ] Re: antibiotic treatment for RA

Bonnie - Your Rheumy worked with you on the Minocycline Antibiotic

Therapy? Wow!! My Rheumy told me that if I wanted to try it, I had to

go to an infectious disease doctor. Imagine that! And of course it is

not an option for me as I don't have insurance and am barely scraping

by with what I have to do now as it is.

Glad you have done so well with it. I pray your numbers keep coming

down.....Doreen

>

> I have been using minocycline for antibiotic therapy for about 15

> months now. When I started I was also using a high dose of

> plaquenil and celebrex. I am doing really well. My RF has come down

> 50%, and all my other blood tests are normal now except for the

> ANA-SSA, which still improved over 100 points. And on clinical

> exam, I show no signs of inflammation anymore. Two years ago I

> could barely lift my arms or roll over in bed.

>

> My rheumatologist has been great. It's a very reasonable and

> affordable treatment. I highly recommend. Send an email if you

> would like to talk more about it.

>

> Bonnie Lou

>

[Guest guest]

hi doreen

i have had 3 gp's happy to do antibiotic therapy with me. did you ask

your family doc?

monique

Bonnie - Your Rheumy worked with you on the Minocycline Antibiotic

Therapy? Wow!! My Rheumy told me that if I wanted to try it, I had to

go to an infectious disease doctor. Imagine that! And of course it is

not an option for me as I don't have insurance and am barely scraping

by with what I have to do now as it is.

Glad you have done so well with it. I pray your numbers keep coming

down.....Doreen

[Guest guest]

Hi Group,

 I know has posted some links to minocycline usage. Just found this one

which seems to state things quite clearly too. (Read the part on the right about

effect on cytokines etc...interesting) 

Believe the minocycline is chiefly being used for its anti-inflammatory

effects,as when used in acne, rosacea, and an acneiform rash in some cancer

patients treated with the new gene-targeting biological thereapy Cetuximab

(Erbitux)

Not good at links, but the info is at <emedexpert.com/facts/minocyclinefacts>

Uk, retired doc ,non rheum

From: Sauve <moniquesauve@...>

Subject: [ ] Re: antibiotic treatment for RA

Date: Thursday, 29 January, 2009, 11:23 PM

hi doreen

i have had 3 gp's happy to do antibiotic therapy with me. did you ask

your family doc?

monique

Bonnie - Your Rheumy worked with you on the Minocycline Antibiotic

Therapy? Wow!! My Rheumy told me that if I wanted to try it, I had to

go to an infectious disease doctor. Imagine that! And of course it is

not an option for me as I don't have insurance and am barely scraping

by with what I have to do now as it is.

Glad you have done so well with it. I pray your numbers keep coming

down.....Doreen

[Guest guest]

I don't think my rheumatologist buys the infectious theory of disease;

but she does agree that minocycline is effective for some people, and

it is an approved DMARD in the states, and it has very few side

effects and it is low cost -- so she was perfectly willing to try. She

is a great doctor -- spends a lot of time with you, really considers

it a partnershp, and she is very smart. I am in Chicago -- if anyone

wants her name, send me an email

" Mimi " <mimi212@...> wrote:

>

> Bonnie - Your Rheumy worked with you on the Minocycline Antibiotic

> Therapy? Wow!! My Rheumy told me that if I wanted to try it, I had to

> go to an infectious disease doctor. Imagine that! And of course it is

> not an option for me as I don't have insurance and am barely scraping

> by with what I have to do now as it is.

>

> Glad you have done so well with it. I pray your numbers keep coming

> down.....Doreen

[Guest guest]

I really wanted to try antibiotics in the beginning of all this but my

doc wouldn't do it. I couldn't find anyone who would do it that was on

my insurance. Now I wish I would have been more persistent after I got

to know my doc better and I think I may have been able to talk him into

it. From everything I have read, it is good for mild to moderate RA.

My RA at this time is moderate to severe so I don't know if it is too

late for me. Any thought about that.

>

> I don't think my rheumatologist buys the infectious theory of

disease;

> but she does agree that minocycline is effective for some people, and

> it is an approved DMARD in the states, and it has very few side

> effects and it is low cost -- so she was perfectly willing to try.

She

> is a great doctor -- spends a lot of time with you, really considers

> it a partnershp, and she is very smart. I am in Chicago -- if anyone

> wants her name, send me an email

>

[Guest guest]

Hi...

How do you determine the degree of your condition? Is that something your Doctor

or Rheumatologist shares with you or do you take your own inventory. I feel like

I'm moderate but I don't have amything to compare it with other than when I

wasn't being treated.

Stan,

Seattle, Rain.

-------------- Original message --------------

From: " ktandtm " <ktandtm@...>

I really wanted to try antibiotics in the beginning of all this but my

doc wouldn't do it. I couldn't find anyone who would do it that was on

my insurance. Now I wish I would have been more persistent after I got

to know my doc better and I think I may have been able to talk him into

it. From everything I have read, it is good for mild to moderate RA.

My RA at this time is moderate to severe so I don't know if it is too

late for me. Any thought about that.

>

> I don't think my rheumatologist buys the infectious theory of

disease;

> but she does agree that minocycline is effective for some people, and

> it is an approved DMARD in the states, and it has very few side

> effects and it is low cost -- so she was perfectly willing to try.

She

> is a great doctor -- spends a lot of time with you, really considers

> it a partnershp, and she is very smart. I am in Chicago -- if anyone

> wants her name, send me an email

>

[Guest guest]

Stan,

Well part of it for me is that I can tell the difference from when

this first started to now. But mostly I am going by what my rheumy

has told me and my x-ray reports. I am showing a lot of erosions

now. Things for me are not under control and I am in constant severe

pain. I never ever have a pain free day anymore and always have

swelling.

Also I have never heard of the immune suppressants making a person

worse but mine seems to be. However I am giving it 1 1/2 more months

and that is it. He wants me to give it 2 1/2 more months but that is

too bad! All the research I have done on this drug says 4 weeks at

the max dose. We are giving it longer since I started off slow due to

side effects but honestly if I make it through I will be lucky.

Basically I am only sticking it out at this point for insurance

purposes so we can possibly move on to enbrel next.

>

> Hi...

>

> How do you determine the degree of your condition? Is that

something your Doctor or Rheumatologist shares with you or do you

take your own inventory. I feel like I'm moderate but I don't have

amything to compare it with other than when I wasn't being treated.

>

> Stan,

> Seattle, Rain.

[Guest guest]

,

Maybe your rheumatologist was reluctant to prescribe minocycline

because of the lupus component of your MCTD. In people with lupus,

minocycline can cause a flare. In those without lupus, it can cause

drug-induced lupus.

Not an MD

On Fri, Jan 30, 2009 at 7:58 PM, ktandtm <ktandtm@...> wrote:

> I really wanted to try antibiotics in the beginning of all this but my

> doc wouldn't do it. I couldn't find anyone who would do it that was on

> my insurance. Now I wish I would have been more persistent after I got

> to know my doc better and I think I may have been able to talk him into

> it. From everything I have read, it is good for mild to moderate RA.

> My RA at this time is moderate to severe so I don't know if it is too

> late for me. Any thought about that.

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks ,

That is probably part of it. I had forgotten about the drug induced

lupus and Minocycline. Funny thing is that he also said he wouldn't be

able to give me any of the biologics for the same reason and now he

changed his mind and said if this Arava didn't work he said we will try

the Enbrel. I just don't know what to think anymore.

>

> ,

>

> Maybe your rheumatologist was reluctant to prescribe minocycline

> because of the lupus component of your MCTD. In people with lupus,

> minocycline can cause a flare. In those without lupus, it can cause

> drug-induced lupus.

>

>

>

> Not an MD

>

[Guest guest]

,

Yes, there would be a chance of making your lupus symptoms worse by

using Enbrel, too. There is also a chance that it won't cause a

problem and it will help your arthritis. TNF inhibitors are sometimes

tried in MCTD, with the understanding that exacerbation of lupus is a

possibility. Enbrel has the shortest half-life of the three, so it

might be the best choice.

Your rheumatologist is probably reconsidering since you are running

out of options and your arthritis is problem. What is he saying about

rituximab (Rituxan) lately?

Not an MD

On Sat, Jan 31, 2009 at 8:33 AM, ktandtm <ktandtm@...> wrote:

> Thanks ,

>

> That is probably part of it. I had forgotten about the drug induced

> lupus and Minocycline. Funny thing is that he also said he wouldn't be

> able to give me any of the biologics for the same reason and now he

> changed his mind and said if this Arava didn't work he said we will try

> the Enbrel. I just don't know what to think anymore.

>

[Guest guest]

>

,

No he hasn't even mentioned the Rituxan but that is ok because I

really don't know if I would be willing to try that. Not saying i

wouldn't give it a try someday but for now I don't feel comfortable

going that route. Just a weird thing I go through. It takes me a

while to get comfortable with certain drugs. Just my own phobia. LOL

If you don't mind me asking, what do you take for your RA.

> ,

>

> Yes, there would be a chance of making your lupus symptoms worse by

> using Enbrel, too. There is also a chance that it won't cause a

> problem and it will help your arthritis. TNF inhibitors are

sometimes

> tried in MCTD, with the understanding that exacerbation of lupus is

a

> possibility. Enbrel has the shortest half-life of the three, so it

> might be the best choice.

>

> Your rheumatologist is probably reconsidering since you are running

> out of options and your arthritis is problem. What is he saying

about

> rituximab (Rituxan) lately?

>

>

>

> Not an MD

[Guest guest]

i know ppl with very severe RA that none of the other drugs worked for

but mino did.

monique

I really wanted to try antibiotics in the beginning of all this but my

doc wouldn't do it. I couldn't find anyone who would do it that was on

my insurance. Now I wish I would have been more persistent after I got

to know my doc better and I think I may have been able to talk him into

it. From everything I have read, it is good for mild to moderate RA.

My RA at this time is moderate to severe so I don't know if it is too

late for me. Any thought about that.

[Guest guest]

Guess I've been lucky thus far, my recent x-rays showed no damage so based on

that I'd have to but my self in the middle of light to moderate category. I feel

like I am getting it under control as well with finding the right dosage of

medication. I do have painful setbacks and I am constantly dealing with the

fatique issue whether it be the MTX or the arthritus. My Rhemotalogist gave me

me the insurance lay-out when we first started treatment, being that they are

such a thoughtful considerate group of people, what's a little pain for a cost

effective treatment? I wouldn't wish RA on anyone, but maybe for just ONE day

(evil grin)! We'll call it a Cost Effective Experience Analysis (CEEA), they

like to use words like that. And lets use your current condition, not mine

because we really don't we don't want them to miss the " analyzing " part! While I

feel fortunate, I know what you're going through is't easy, hang in there, I

really hope the next step gives you the relief you need.

Stan,

Seattle, Sun!

-------------- Original message --------------

From: " ktandtm " <ktandtm@...>

Stan,

Well part of it for me is that I can tell the difference from when

this first started to now. But mostly I am going by what my rheumy

has told me and my x-ray reports. I am showing a lot of erosions

now. Things for me are not under control and I am in constant severe

pain. I never ever have a pain free day anymore and always have

swelling.

Also I have never heard of the immune suppressants making a person

worse but mine seems to be. However I am giving it 1 1/2 more months

and that is it. He wants me to give it 2 1/2 more months but that is

too bad! All the research I have done on this drug says 4 weeks at

the max dose. We are giving it longer since I started off slow due to

side effects but honestly if I make it through I will be lucky.

Basically I am only sticking it out at this point for insurance

purposes so we can possibly move on to enbrel next.

>

> Hi...

>

> How do you determine the degree of your condition? Is that

something your Doctor or Rheumatologist shares with you or do you

take your own inventory. I feel like I'm moderate but I don't have

amything to compare it with other than when I wasn't being treated.

>

> Stan,

> Seattle, Rain.

[Guest guest]

I like your idea, Stan! LOL.

Sue

On Jan 31, 2009, at 3:26 PM, stanpfister@... wrote:

> I wouldn't wish RA on anyone, but maybe for just ONE day (evil

> grin)! We'll call it a Cost Effective Experience Analysis (CEEA),

> they like to use words like that. And lets use your current

> condition, not mine because we really don't we don't want them to

> miss the " analyzing " part! While I feel fortunate, I know what

> you're going through is't easy, hang in there, I really hope the

> next step gives you the relief you need.

[Guest guest]

,

I think I am going to beg him to let me try it. What do I have to lose.

It just doesn't make sense that immune suppressants make me worse.

Makes me wonder if something else is going on unlike the normal RA/MCTD

stuff. I am thoroughly convinced that I picked up something from

being in hurricane Katrina. Everything started about a month after all

that.

--- In , Sauve <moniquesauve@...>

wrote:

>

> i know ppl with very severe RA that none of the other drugs worked

for

> but mino did.

>

> monique

>

> I really wanted to try antibiotics in the beginning of all this but my

> doc wouldn't do it. I couldn't find anyone who would do it that was on

> my insurance. Now I wish I would have been more persistent after I got

> to know my doc better and I think I may have been able to talk him

into

> it. From everything I have read, it is good for mild to moderate RA.

> My RA at this time is moderate to severe so I don't know if it is too

> late for me. Any thought about that.

>

>