Need RA advice

[Guest guest]

Hi group,

In Jan. 2000 I started Minocin 100 mg 5x a week. In 6 months I went into

remission. Eventually I decreased to 3x a week.

The last few years my labs have shown underlying disease, but no symtpoms. Last

Dec. I changed to Doxycylcine 100mg because my nailbeds were turning a blue

color, presumably from Minocin. My thumb nailbeds are still blue, the rest are

ok. A month later I decided to try 2x a week, since I was doing ok. Withing a

month I started have redness, swelling, pain recurring in hands, wrists, and

shoulders. Then to my feet.

I saw a new rhemy in Oct. familiar with protocol. She looked at x-rays I'd had

done over the previous 15 mo., magnifying them many times on the computer, and

showed me where I had mild bone erosion in some places. Lab work still all

negative. She gave me a Kenalog injection, which helped a lot over the next few

weeks, and increased Doxy to 5x a week. I go back in March. If I'm still

having trouble then she wants to start me on Plaquenil.

I am having trouble. Fingers, shoulder and feet continue to swell and be

painful. The spot rotates, but something is always bothering me. Front of my

rt. shoulder is swollen, like a bursitis. Rt. collar bone and a/c joint are

always going out....go to chiro and get them in, but doesn't help more than a

few hours, then it's out again! I also have FMS....having myofascial work done

and pretty good with that.

I'm wondering if I need to go back to Minocin? Or is it time to go to serious

treatment, (IV's?) see Dr. Sinnot, for example? I'm in ND, so would need to be

somewhat close.

Any advice, ideas appreciated!

M.