Minocycline | Arthritis Information

 

Can't remember if I've asked this but is anyone on Minocycline for RA? I have taken minocycline before but not for RA. It was my husband's prescription and I took it for an allergy. Didn't help my RA any tho. But I have read that it MAY help RA. I've been thru all those different things like ginger, green tea, etc. when I was reaching for a cure or giving up on NSAIDs.. but since going back to a RD, I've since thrown out all other remedies and gone for the big stuff.

This may or may not relate. A little more than a year ago I got lazy and stopped taking minocycline, which I had been taking for a couple of years to keep acne in check. I probably went a month without taking it, say all of last August.  I had been dealing with a skin rash (eczema at first, later confirmed as lichen simplex via biopsy) for a year prior to slacking off the minocycline. Recap: Minocycline for years, skin rash off/on since mid 2003. Stopped minocycline in Aug 2004.  Moving forward… Sept of 2004 I totally busted out in rash. Saw dermo and got topical steroid. I left the country on business for a couple of weeks in early September. Rash continued to worsen while out of town. I visited doctor in Beijing (jeeze, another story totally). While in China, at peak of rash, which was intensely itchy, had very stiff hands for part of one day. I was back on the minocycline. This was the start of my RA. I’ve always wondered if I had not quit the minocycline, would I be okay today? I still take 100mg twice a day, doxycycline in summer and switch to same dose in winter, but minocycline instead. Don’t know that it has any effect on the RA.

 

Mike

Mike, I had a face rash on off but getting worse for a couple of years prior to all this.  I discovered that it was probably rosacea - an inflammatory and progressive skin condition.  I bought a book by this guy Dr Nase ( it was v. good btw) and it recommended Tetracycline or Doxycycline or Minocycline preferable amoungst other things.  Apparently docs think these antib's work of rosacea because they are antibacterial but it's actually because they supress inflammation that they work.  I took Doxycycline for 5 days just before this all kicked off but it gave me major nausea and gi symptoms so I quit - this is around this time that all the joint pain started.  In saying that i had a blood test done that came back weak pos rf the day i was prescribed the doxy - i was just wondering if maybe we had the same skin thing and if there is or was a connection.   sorry bout the typing - got a big bandage on today

I have been on minocycline before & plan on going back! I had gone and had An Antiobiotis Therapy 10 IV treatments in 5days. I went in so much pain and bearly walking.  On the 2nd day was chasing my toddler down the hall.  I was on Mino. for 6months after the treatments everyday100mg 3times aday. Most people are on the m-w-fri. it depends on your RA serverity.

 I needed to back for another IV treatment. By my 4th month the treatment had statred to wear off. My husband did not believe in it and I was becoming worse. My hands were becoming very stiff and I was having a hard time getting out of bed. I freaked out! Then disheartening went back to my rheumy. And here I am! Then after my 4th apptionment back to my rhuemy and taking my toddler with me to the last 3 he finally decided to rewrite for an acceptance from my insurance and then I became worthy enough for the Humira.

I recommend a book by The New Arthritis Breakthrough by, Henry Scammell & Dr. Thomas Mc Pharen Brown. Check out Web sight roadback.org  The book has some very interesting & helpful information in it. However  Minocycline has not been approved by the Arthritist foundation as acure or as a treatment. But your Rheumatologist will prescribit to you as a antinflamitory. Which was in my case. Then I just took it a step futher and found a General Physcian Dr. in Iowa who worked with Dr. Brown since 1969.

You know there are all sorts of Alternative meds. It's so confuseing and your Rheumy's are telling you otherwise. Just listen to your hearts & your BODIES.

I'm on Humira twice a week, predisone1tab once day am, NSAD Diclufnac  twice aday & Synthroid.

I found this web site and it's been very nice to know I'm not aloneI hope this helps

Peace & Health

 

 

I have not tried it but the Mayo RD I saw noted in his report that he did not think it would be appropriate for me as he suspected I had "long standing RA".  I think the current medical research feels that it works for milder early stages of RA.

marcia

I started on the AP after having RA for six years.
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