I keep reading all this and it seems to be either or.. I like what Remicade does, but am wondering about ap.. so once and for all, can I do both?
Kathy -
When I first sound out about AP I was a 'purist'. Just buck up and do this the way Dr. Brown said. Cut out all the meds, work through the herxes, kill the microbes and 'be done with it'.
Dr. Brown died in 1989, I think, before the widespread use of biologics. What the biologics do is take away the inflammation. If you don't feel the pain or inflammation then the microbes have free rein 'behind the scenes'. This is why I think the biologics all eventually fail. Inflammation is the body's response to trying to get rid of the infection. It's failing, but it's trying. Do you know what I mean?
To be fair, AP can fail too, and I think that almost always is a 'gut issue'. That's why APer's always suggest 'tweakes' to get AP working agian.
Since I've been on AI I've had my eyes opened. I didn't realize the extent of pain and disability we face from these diseases. I've changed my thoughts - now I'm 'whatever works, works, but if somebody can arrange the meds to work their way off them and onto AP, so be it."
There are people on the traditionals meds that are weaning off the biologics. I think it's a harder road but we have lives and so what if it takes longer? The point for all of us is to heal.
I suggest lurking at the Roadback and maybe running a search there. Or posting and asking if people who are weaning will email you. It can be done.
Don't forget to get the "New Arthritis Breakthrough" by Henry Scammell for the background and science about this.
And if you do decide to try this...please post your progress. I'd really like hints and info to help others with. This is mostly uncharted territory for us on the AP road. You could help others by what you learn.
Hugs and hope,
Pip
I've been doing AP with MTX and plaquenil. So far I've reduced my mtx by