more scripts | Arthritis Information

my pcp wrote me for 4 more months of minocin. I will have to ask him each time but as long as my gut is ok I think he will let me stay on it.

That's great, Mark! How long have you been on it and how are you feeling? Pat

I am about to finish month 2 and I do feel better than before I still get pain here and there which bothers me but its far less than in the past.

from what I read people stay on it for a year some have been on it for 10... I hope I can experience what some others have and be able to almost forget arthritis is there... that would be great!!!!!!

So glad for you! I have been on it for almost 3 months and have seen some improvement in hand and wrist pain. I will probably be on it for a really long time, since I have had scleroderma for 10 yrs and Raynaud's for 25 yrs, with the recent development of an RA overlap (lucky me, why can't I just win the lottery or something?) I don't mind the prospect of taking it long-term since the side effects are minimal, it is inexpensive compared to other RA drugs and it seems to be working! Cheers, Pat

I am so happy for both of you! I am in my 5th month but like they said it could take a year or more and you two give me hope!

May I ask how many mg's per day you both are taking?

Hi Bonny! I always enjoy your posts - you have such a positive attitude which I need more of. I also think of you when I start to complain about the cold winter weather here in Illinois, can't begin to imagine your winter, though I bet it is beautiful! My Raynaud's would probably keep me housebound. Anyway, I usually take 200mg daily, sometimes switch to pulsing 200mg MWF when I read or hear that is better for bug-killing. Will ask my rheumy when I see him next month, his script was for the daily 200mg dose. He also started me on doxy rather than mino - I was just so happy to get it (it was my first visit to him) that I didn't question it. I will also be asking about mino at my next visit - my list of questions is getting longer every day!

Hang in there - Spring is coming! Pat

HI Mark and Felines4Ever!
Are either of you on any other drugs besides the AP?
Hi! No, just AP for me for the scleroderma. I have never taken pred, Mtx, Plaq or anything stronger. The scleroderma was really not too big a problem until last year when I developed early lung involvement. That is when I discovered AP and decided it was the best way to go. Recently I seem to have some RA overlap symptoms, won't know until my next rheumy visit what may be recommended for that, but I will probably refuse anything else. The AP should eventually take care of both. The RA is sure painful, though, as I'm sure you all know much better than me. Take care, Pat

Thanks Pat for the nice post and I know that spring will show up someday. I am on 50mg per day and going to raise it to 100mg soon. I had major trouble with herxing so am taking it slowly.

Gimpy I am on MTX 20mg and going to start Enbrel as soon as it comes in. I swell too much and have erosion and bone thinning so needed to slow down the RA. When the AP kicks in I can wean off of the RA meds. Prednisone leaches calcium so Dr won't put me on it with bone thinning.

hi I take 200 mg per day. Nope no other drugs except some herbals cas my RD said right now he see's no sign of RA so he could not justify being on a strong medicine and he said they treat aggressive I mean them not finding RA is good and bad because they have no idea what Is going on kinda...

gotta love docs some times.