I have been almost continuously ill with one thing or another since I
developed RA in 1971. First it was RA, then type 1 diabetes, then
Reynaulds, then ulcerative colitis, then hypothyroidism... the list goes on
and on.
In all that time none of the medication I've been taking has really done
what it claimed it would do except one:
Minocin!
Three years ago I had a whole body flare that was so bad that I was
almost unable to walk, often unable to sleep, almost unable to maintain
my will to live. I'd read the book The New Arthritis Breakthrough several
years ago while doing some research for a friend with Lupus and when
my local doctor had pretty much given me up for lost I decided the time
had come to try Minocin.
A doctor in Boston put me on Minocin a few weeks later and 26 days after
beginning the drug I was riding my mountain bike 5-10 miles a day,
sleeping like a baby again, and full of the desire to live!
After more than 30 years of near constant pain I have now been pain free
for more than 2 years. In the old days all I had to do was squeeze a ball
three times and my hands hurt, now I do exercises for an hour straight
with no problem whatever. Last winter I spent 2 hours a day lifting
weights and working out with Therabands and I am stronger now at age
60 than I have been in more than 20 years!
There are times when I will be doing something during the day and all of
a sudden it will hit me that I have no pain and that I have had none
connected to RA in a very, very long time. Often I will squeeze both hands
as hard as I can and marvel that it does not hurt one bit. Every time
someone offers to shake my hand I can't wait for the good feeling that
comes with a healthy, confident, handshake whereas for the last 25 years
I've always begged off by saying, "Sorry but I have really bad RA and can't
shake hands."
Anyone who tells you that AP therapy is not worth trying is an idiot.
Period! Any doctor who tells you AP therapy is not worth trying should
lose his or her license to practice...on the spot.
Not long after I began AP therapy my local doctor told me that he felt that
I was "not putting my full confidence in him." Seems like I'd hurt his
feelings by refusing to take Methotrexate.
And my response?
Well I laughed so hard that I thought I was going to fall down, and then
when I managed to stop I said to him, "Full Confidence" what makes you
think that I have "any" confidence in you at all?
After a stunned silence he responded by saying, "Well in that case
perhaps I should not continue being your physician..."
To which I responded, "What makes you think that you even had the
option of being my doctor? You, my friend, are fired."
AP doesn't work for everyone (just 80-90%) and it doesn't always work as
quickly as it did for me. But anyone who tells you that it's not worth trying
does not know what he's talking about.
All my best and good luck,
WinHi ! I just started AP 3 weeks ago for scleroderma. I know it will work. I am surprised that no one else has replied to you. The posts on this board are so full of pain and misery that it is very depressing, yet it seems that everyone has such confidence in their rheumatologists, they aren't questioning these dangerous drugs they are talking. When I found out about AP I asked my rheumy about it. He brushed it off, so that was my last visit to him. Found another and started AP. Just wish everyone would at least look into it. I wish even more that all rheumys would offer it as an option. Like my new doctor said, "it certainly can't do any harm". Sure can't say that about pred, Mtx, plaquenil, Enbrel, etc. All the best, Pat
I started AP (after failing all biologics) about 6 weeks ago and in the last week I have noticed I am not just not getting worse but actually feeling a bit better. I am keeping my fingers crossed and love reading about people who have done this. I know from what my doc says it doesn't work for all - but then again no med works for all - and for me this was kind of like the last thing to try. I had talked with him earlier in my treatment about AP but decided to try the other meds first hoping they would work faster and be more aggressive - remicade worked wonders until one day it just didn't work at all - I loved that medicine soooooooooooo much. Now I am getting excited about the AP and thinking it just may be the right thing for me. Thanks for this post it makes me feel not so alone it this treatment. Hugs and good vibes.
OMG I want AP therapy. I am going to ask for it at my first rheumy appt. Thanks for this post. It has me encouraged Roxy - Here is the site to earn about it and it has info to take to your doc as well and a forum. I started 2 1/2 months ago.roadback.org
Take care,
I couldn't find a rhuemy to buy into it so I went to the roadback. org board and they recommended a doctor. He is a GP and I've been on AP since March 2005.
I feel fantastic!!! It is not a quick cure like I said before. I went felt way worse when I began (herxed) but it is really worn toughing out. I've got my life back!!!
I had an extremely aggressive RA and my numbers were off the charts. I am in the normal range now. How can you really dispute it?
Becky
I was feeling lousy like the Humira was beginning to lose it effectiveness when I remembered my old friend Minocycline. I had stopped taking it because of some stomach upset. I began taking it again to supplement the Humira and I now feel strong and energetic. I know it is not a miracle cure but it is sure better than tons of pain medication. Best part is it is low cost. I think rheumatologists discount its role in treatment of RA. I was told that it only helps mild RA. But my last x-rays showed healing of some erosions with the combo of Humira and Minocycline. It is worth mentioning to your doctor. I posted on roadback hoping to find a doctor in my area. I want to try it !!!!!! That's wonderful Roxy!!!!Got me an appt. I AM SO EXCITED. Thanks you guys for giving me hope I have been looking into AP Therapy for several months now, and intend to talk to my Rheumatologist about it next time I see her. Here is a short and well written article synopsising the antibiotic approachi plan on asking my doc to try this with me...
I will tekk him well it's my life and I want to try this.....
who is he to say no?
I just hope I can get some coverage back because I figure if I have to I will try the biologics at this point I quess im just feeling like I want the best life I can.
who has been on biologics for 9 years or more here? what's your experience been?
are you in pain all the time or no?
Hi All,
roadback.org
This is a very comprehensive site for AP. They can give you the name of a doc in your area who treats with AP.
Take care,
I am seeing an rd about this treatment on Dec. 14. I AM SO EXCITED. I love the idea that the drugs are not so dangerous and I can see several body traumas that may have started my RA. Thank you so much for your post.
I want to try this
will it help I do not know but... what do I have to lose?
If it works/ helps plus with my supplements maybe I can avoid the really toxic drugs which scare me.. however I would do the biologics its actually mtx that scares me more...
Thanks for this info!!!