Antibiotics & RA

Just putting this out there to see what ya'll think.  The neurologist I had seen for 3 years who treated and cured the Lymes Disease I had, also treated the RA or Lymes arthritis (because at that time they were not sure what type of arthritis I did indeed have) with antibiotics. But after 6 years, they figured the autoimmune disorders were sequela of Lymes that went untreated for almost a decade.  That was in 2001 to 2003.  Have not been on antibiotics since.

BUT!...Came down with swollen glands thursday and was put on one gram Augmentin per day...and wouldn't ya know....JOINT PAIN VERY VERY MINIMAL TO NONE!!  For 3 days now.

Just wondering, has anyone been treated for RA with antibiotics?  I know it is a controversial and "old" way of treating RA and I have never been to a rheummy who had that theory to practice.  But my neurologist believes it.  And obviously it is doing something! right?  Is this treatment outdated?    I know I have read several articles regarding antibiotic therapy for RA.

I'm definitely going to bring it up @ next rheummy appt.

I mean, geesh...what are my options??  Loading up on pred?  Gotta weigh my options here. 

Just thinking that this is by no means a coincidence that the antibiotics are reducing the joint pain.

Would love to hear what you guys think.  And also if anyone had antibiotic therapy as a first treatment for their RA.  And, is anyones case of RA or arthritis of one that was triggered by a bacteria?

Thanks so much & take care

Sincerely

Erin 

Post Edited (erin kachmar) : 11/15/2005 6:08:37 PM (GMT-7)

I've been on antibiotics so much the last year, but I don't remember how my joints felt....however, I was bed-ridden delirium sick most of this time.

Interesting if the antibiotic is a saving grace w/your joints - but won't that really be a catch 22 for you? They wreck havoc on your intestines, don't they? Can you take them while on Remicade since you not technically w/a fever or infection? How would the med combo work for chron's treatment with an RA antibiotic treatment? Curious....whatever the potion, I hope it works!

** 

Have you ever been on a med like Enbrel or Humira?  Having severe RA with little success with medications is so frustrating...I hate it.  I've been on Enbrel for a year, not much help to the joints, but it did alleviate the AS.  Been on Humira since August, not helping the joints too much...but it does make a difference in my back, the costochondritis, and believe it or not...the CD too!  Always had less GI probs when on a TNF med.

Perhaps you should look into a TNF combo for RA, exhausting ALL options, until we find a combo that works!

The antibiotics I recieved when I first had very bad joint problems,  my neurologist was not sure if it was RA or Lymes arthritis (was RA caused by Lymes in the end) was Cipro, Emycin, Levaquin, Amoxiclav, Ceftin, Doxycylcine, Zithromax, and a whole bunch of others I cannot remember....but all in different combos.  It did help the joints.  That was from 2001 to 2003.

Flopsie looked up the med, Minomycin (sp?)  a tetracycline antibiotic for RA.

Probably like yourself, I'm so desperate to get to a point where I can be at least SEMI CONSISTANT from day to day.  I've been like this since I was 13, at the worst since 20 yr, and now am 24.  I want at least a few good years...I'll even take a few months.

This is something I will definitely pursue @ my next appt.  And I'll be sure to let you know Donna.

Take good care

I know it's hard

Erin 

Post Edited (erin kachmar) : 11/17/2005 11:08:48 AM (GMT-7)

so this will be my next rheummy appt. topic on december 2nd.  hopefully he'll be familiar with antibiotic treatment or at least see something to it.

if not...am demanding to start Remicade.

I agree, that is something that definitely needs to be discussed and considered. I will have to take better notice of my time on antibiotics to see how I fare. I had never heard of that before HW.

If the Remicade could counteract the antibiotics, and you stay on them at least long enough to get Remicade in your system.....hopefully you'll feel like the Spring Chicken you're supposed to be!

Good luck!**