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Posted 11/4/2010 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, All-

I was very recently diagnosed with RA and have since read most of a book by Dr. T. Brown, written in the 80's, that talks about antibiotic therapy for RA. I've also done some research in journals about the evidence for antibiotic therapy, some of which has been positive.

I saw my (new) rheumatologist just last week and talked to him about antibiotic therapy, specifically minocycline. He was disinclined to that one, based on experience he's had with skin scarring, but was open to doxycycline as an alternative. Plaquenil was his first preference.

Has anyone had experience with doxy taken orally as a substitute for mino, either IV or orally? I have read one report of doxy being useful for RA, but no personal accounts. I think my rheumatologist would be open to mino if I were willing to take the risks, but I'm also (of course) interested in fewer side effects and would like to know if that risk is founded or not. Also, has anyone used MTX in combination with any -cycline drug, and if so was it useful?

Thank you. Although my sister has had RA for a few years, I wasn't very aware of it until recently. Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Mike

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dx RA 11/10
doxycycline 100mg BID 11/10
Aleve 440-880mg/day
turmeric, ginger, flax oil, misc vit's and minerals
Posted 11/5/2010 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
I have a friend who swears that minocycline is the miracle cure but my rheumy reckons its all a bit of quackery, she also doesn't think its particularly good being permanently on anti biotics which causes its own problems. I've talked to so many different people and I've come to the concluson its what works for you that is important.
I'm scared to come off my western meds and try alternatives alone. I don't want to end up worse off than I am already. This disease has really shaken me up, turned my self condfidence upside down. I've had massive flares and just do not want to go there again. It seems to take me 3 months to recover from each massive flare and life is meant to be lived and not spent recovering as far as I'm concerned.
So you have to look at yourself and your symptoms and decide whats manageable for you.
I take mtx and love it, really helps control my symptoms. But I'm also on prednisone 10mg, and mobic as well as just starting back on humira. I have sore knees, toe joints, finger joints, wrists and sometimes hips despite all these meds but feel so much better than I was. I'm no longer hobbling around like a little old lady.
So if it works for you then go for it. I met a guy who only takes fish oil, 14 capsules a day!!! He feels great. I'd love to be able to be under control with only fish oil too.
I've met other people who only take mtx and have been under control for 10 years. So everyone is different, someone else told me after 10 years the disease can plateau, well I'd love that too. Any plateau or remission sounds good to me. I'm still hoping, golitho
Posted 11/7/2010 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
I haven't had any positive results from Minocycline myself, but I have ReA rather than RA so it's hard to say whether the results (or lack thereof) are directly applicable across the two.
Posted 11/19/2010 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
I have been taking 200 mg of doxycycline per day for 30 days and it really has worked for me. All of my neck, feet and jaw pain is gone. I have been able to cut my daily dose of prednisone. After 3 months my doxy dose will be cut down to 100mg per day.

Posted 1/23/2013 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Pamela,

I just started the Doxy. twice a day(pills).  How long did it take for you to start to notice a change?  Did you do any infusions of Doxy?  My dr said they do not do that, but I read online that it helps with a quicker response time.  It has been able three weeks for me, and my fatigue is better, but inflamation is still bad.  I am also on Predisone 10mg a day as well, and would like to ween myself off of that.  Any updates on your progress would be appreciated. 

Thanks,

Lisa

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