I am going on AP therapy | Arthritis Information

I saw my doctor yesterday and as im currently not taking anything for my RA due to infections and allergic reactions I am going to start AP Therapy ( I didnt post on the APers thread due to unrest)

I have been thinking about it for a while and decided that I have nothing to lose as the biologics were a disaster for me. I am joining a group that meet on wednesdays who are in the same boat as me and are all on AP therapy.

I know a lot of people are sceptical and I have been in the past but as no regular RA meds are suitable its a chance I am now willing to take.

I have all my pre and pro biotics in place so will be ready to roll in a bout a wek.

HI Pin, I would like to say well done for starting AP, just as if it were any other new treatment, you need to do this as it is one you haven't tried and who knows, it just might be the one, I wish you the very best of luck, , just reap from this thread what you need and nothing else. I am sure everyone will have your best interests at heart. Regards Janie. It is great that your Dr is willing to try it thumbs up to him/her!
Good luck. Let us know how it goes...Lisa - I don't blame you for posting separately, an invasion happened over on the new apers thread - maybe they started AP on the sly :)

Your current rheumatologist agreed and is going to prescribe it or another one of your doctors? And a support group? Wow, wow, wow!

In any case, best of luck, as I know you have had a very hard time of it, along with all of us at times.

I was lax with my probiotics and the lemon drink and paid for it with my so far one and only herx, and its been really something to ride it out, but I did. Actually a herx is just as bad as a flare, but at least you know what is going on.

Please keep in close touch, pm me please. And I know that you will be fed alot of studies and information that aren't posted in here about how close medical science is to proving RA has an infectious component. Seems there's been a little suppression of information for greed, go figure.

Go for it, like you said, you have nothing to lose. I am just amazed I was able to stumble onto AP in here, and have the support of tremendous resources like Pip, Becky, Jan, Maz, Suzanne, and Go-Go, plus others as I haven't woken up yet, sorry.

Big big big huggles ~~ Cathy

Good Luck and please let us know how it goes...

I'm beginnning to wonder about trying it too.. I see my RD on the 24th.

Good Luck, What are you going to take ??Good luck on your new treatment. I hope you have success.

Tink

Thanks to everyone for your support. I will keep you all updated.

6t5frlane. I am going to my rheumys tomorrow to discuss the antibiotics, dosage etc so I will have a better idea of what im going to be taking. There will be a woman from the support group that the hospital runs who will help me with any questions I have. What I know about AP therapy is from here and reading roadback, it will be nice to sit and discuss what I have learnt with her and for her input too....

good luck...I hope it works for youGood luck, Lisa...I hope this works for you!Best wishes, Pin! I'm especially happy to hear that you have a weekly support group! I hope you will share anything you might learn from them with us here. Oh, wow, Pin! This is great. I know of people in the UK looking for AP help and there is a support group? Does the RB know? Because I was trying to get them to find me a list of doctors for the people I've run accross who can't find a doc there.

Please let me know how it goes!!!

Pip

Good luck Lisa! I am very optimistic about this, because I remember quite some time ago (probably more than a year ago) you were taking antibiotics for an infection of some sort and started feeling wonderful - do you recall? My fingers are crossed that this will be the beginning of a new healthier life!

Karen

Hi Pin, I hope this is the break through that you need. It's been such a long, hard journey and this may be the treatment that helpe you with the least side effects. Good luck. LindyMy very best wishes for relief from your symptoms and rapid progress to remission. Shug Good Luck, Pinnie! I hope it works wonders for you. I was on minocin for a couple of weeks a year or so back. I do not know if it would have helped or not, but what I do remember is it helped a little with my swelling. I might have imagined it LOL!

Let us know how your RD appt goes and all.

Hugs!

Best wishes for the relief you soooo deserve! I hope this is the answer to your prayers! Hope this is your key!!

best to you.......

All the best, fingers crossed !!!!

It takes something really big to turn to an alternative, and lots of courage to make the decision.

Cheers,
Maz - Aust

Good on you Lisa for giving AP a go.....I would not hesitate if I had no luck with reg meds either. I am keeping all of my digits able to be crossed, crossed for you and hope this is going to be your answer.

{{{hugs}}} Lyn I have to come back to this - there is a support group in a HOSPITAL somewhere in the UK??? OMG - I'm flabbergasted.

Pip

Sorry Pip...I have a hundred things going through my mind and missed where you said that..lol

Once i start my treatment and go to one of these meetings/support group I will let you know what its all about. As far as I can gather, it was started by two women who see my RD , they too failed normal meds and decided to try AP, My rheumy is supportive with a lot of decisions as long as you have tried conventional first...Well he supported this group and gives talks and gets other members of staff in to give talks on various topics related to all aspects of RA treatment...........Wow Pin, what a great doctor you have. Keep us posted, and we are all pulling for you that this works for you. Take care ~~ CathyThanks so much for answering this - this is what we need in the US - or something like this. I am in AWE!

Pip

There are RA support groups through out the United States. They aren't broken into APers and Non APers. Groups aren't isolated from one another according to their medication regimen. They are in groups so that information can be dissiminated, help for both the emotional and physical aspects of the disease is available, and last but not least, every member of the support group is there for a primary reason - to support one another. You learn from one another. They're usually associated with hospitals or other medical institutions. I've been involved in several groups and have led a web support group for several years, so I know what's available. Not every community has support groups but most larger communities do. Lindy I think this group Im going to be going to is an off shoot from an RA hospital group, it was formed so that the members could chat about their treatment and the lack of progress from normal RA meds..Everyone was friendly whether they were on Antibiotics or Biologics, all were supportive no matter what their beliefs. [QUOTE=Pip!] - this is what we need in the US - or something like this. I am in AWE![/QUOTE]

Then do it! Contact your AP doctor and set up a peer group; he should be more than accommodating with providing you space to display posters, etc.. If your doctor does not or will not offer you the space for meetings, contact the nearest hospital. Most hospitals offer meeting rooms for support groups and either greatly reduced rates or as a community service. If that fails contact the nearest community center. Many churches offer meeting rooms for health related groups as well. The possibilities are endless.Thank you - I've got some things in the works and will try to incorporate some of that into it.

Pip

Pip I will scan and email some leaflets if I can get some from the group when I go for my my first meeting ..it might help if you need to start a group. I personally feel that you are very passionate about your treatment and if others are starting you would be a great help to them.

When I first went on Humira , i joined a humira support group at our local clinic, it then turned into a biologic support group.....It was wonderful as the woman who run the group swore by her treatment and was so enthusiastic. When i had no luck with the biologics, they still invited me to their xmas dinner and night out and i still keep in contact with a few who are doing wonderfully on enbrel, humira etc....they have been great in supporting my decision to now try antibiotics

Hi Lisa. I don't post much on this board, but I wanted to tell you that my prayers are with you and I hope AP brings you some relief. It does take quite awhile for things to get better. So be sure to go a good 6 to 12 months, and don't let yourself get too discouraged in the meantime.

There is lots of good AP advice out there, and you will need to control the inflammation for AP to do its job -- so be sure to talk about antiinflammatory options with your doctor. And use The Roadback group if you need help -- this board is not an usually an easy place to discuss AP concerns.

It has changed my life. Two years ago I could barely turn over in bed. Now I live a normal life. I will hope you have a similar experience. Good luck.

Bonnie Lou