Okay..so I just got back from my RD appt. My official dx at this time is Unspecified Inflammatory Polyarthropathy. So is this RA? I know she said she is pretty sure I have RA and started me on 100mg Minocycline every 12 hours.
So...Help out here experts!! This is the best RA info on the web. :)
The diagnosis I got several months ago at my rheumatologist appointment was similar (unspecified migratory polyarthritis). I was negative for RF, negative for HLA B27, and negative for anti-ccp. I had a slightly elevated ANA and highly elevated C reactive protein and Erythrocyte Sedimentation rate. Still not sure exactly what it is, but I hear it can take years in some cases to get a diagnosis of RA.
GrammaKathy!
Yes, you just started AP. She put you on the Harvard Protocol. That's the daily dosing schedule. I prefer the Dr. Brown pulsing dose of MWF 100 AM and PM but I'm totally into the 'critter killing' stuff. This means that when you go to a maintainence dose you'll probably herx a bit again - but, who cares, once it works!
Please hang out at www.roadback.org (but don't leave here) and get the book the New Arthritis Breakthough by Henry Scammell. That outlays the process and the science and the politics behind all of this.
Have you been on any immunesuppressents? Or is this your first DMARD?
Hugs on your road back to health!
Pip the totally stoked!
This is my first. Up until this, the only thing I took for my OA was and still is Naproxen. I am pretty excited because I have read some about AP and was thinking I may want to give it a shot!! Guess my RD isn't so bad afterall.I gotta say, I'm flabberghasted your doc gave it to you! Remember, I'm the one that had to go out of state for help.
From trying to learn patterns from posts - you should have an easier time of it - comparatively speaking. Herxing isn't a walk in the park but...you haven't been on the immunesuppressents. I hope you're an early responder!
Don't forget the probiotics! That's the most important part.
And keep posting here! There's that AP thread for how we're doing.
Hugs,
Pip
Yes, GrammaKathy, definitely don't forget the probiotics! And don't feel bad if you have to back down on your dosage and/or dosing schedule.
Pip is one of our resident experts, so you're in good hands! Good luck!
I have no idea what the probiotics are! I will look it up. I'm very excited, too! I'm also very interested in probiotics (they're VERY beneficial and not just for people on AP) so if you have any questions just ask.My best dose was 100mg mon-fri and weekends off. Absolutly take a probiotic at least an hour away from the antibiotic. If you don't you will probably get bad systemic yeast overgrowth and fail the AP. Reduce your sugars, pastas, and breads.
Gary
Kathy - congratulations on finding a doctor who is starting right out with trying to kill this off with antibiotics first. I have read a stat that 25% of rheumatologists are now using minocin. And if it doesn't work, you still have all the other "standard" DMARDS, etc. Higgy - welcome, great advice.JustSay -
Can you post a link that says that???????
Pip
Pip - no, but its been within the past three months. I do alot research, and if I find it again, I will post it. CathyThanks,
I had a witch of a time finding a local doc - hence the move. But...I've seen posts here of docs who did do this. Maybe I just had a string of bad luck.
Pip