***** SUSPECTED SPAM ***** Fighting RA without RA meds, anyone else out there?

[Guest guest]

Hi Anita

I don't have lupus but have been using the antibiotic minocycline

(which you cannot use with lupus) successfully for RA for six years

after being in remission for 15 years. Stress brought back the RA.

With lupus you cannot use minocycline but some studies say

doxycycline is ok. You must find a doctor who knows about this

treatment as most don't. Some rheumatologists also prescribe other

antibiotics but you need to go to Roadback Foundation on the web,

join the forum and ask for a list of rheumies who treat RA and other

immune diseases with antibiotics. Antibiotics are the least damaging

of the RA drugs I think, but all drugs affect people differently so

it's a matter of trial and error. Avoiding stress and watching your

diet are equally as important as drug therapy (a gluten-free alkaline

diet) and I use herbs such as ginger, turmeric, boswellia for

inflammation as I can't take NSAIDS either. Please try not to feel

guilty when you say no. It just elevates the stress. It took me two

years of forcing myself to say no before I stopped feeling guilty

about it even though I knew it was essential. I'm glad you're coming

out of denial. You now have the opportunity to face the reality of

your life and find ways of managing it which are life-enhancing and

which may put you into remission eventually. It's so hard to accept

that we are limited in what we can do (for the time being). We just

want to be the same as everyone else and be respected and competent

and independent. We can be, but in a different way to before.

Please ask as many questions as you like of this group or send me an

email if you wish.

Good luck and bright blessings,

lind