Re: using other DMARDs such as MTX while trying the antibiotic protocol

[Guest guest]

I was on 20 mg of MTX when I started the Minocycline. I gradually decreased

the MTX by 5 mg every 3 months and I am now MTX free! I take 100 mg of

minocycline everyday (although sometimes I miss a dosage) and I feel great!

Amy in Oregon

[Guest guest]

Thanks Amy! I'm starting to think that it might be beneficial for

people who are on MTX anyway to add minocycline to the mix. I'm so

happy for you that you're pain free and that it worked for you!

Sharon

> I was on 20 mg of MTX when I started the Minocycline. I gradually

decreased

> the MTX by 5 mg every 3 months and I am now MTX free! I take 100 mg

of

> minocycline everyday (although sometimes I miss a dosage) and I

feel great!

>

> Amy in Oregon

[Guest guest]

> Thanks Amy! I'm starting to think that it might be beneficial for

> people who are on MTX anyway to add minocycline to the mix. I'm so

> happy for you that you're pain free and that it worked for you!

> Sharon

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/mtx_wcp.htm

" Drug Interactions "

" Oral antibiotics such as tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and

nonabsorbable broad spectrum antibiotics, may decrease intestinal

absorption of methotrexate or interfere with the enterohepatic

circulation by inhibiting bowel flora and suppressing metabolism of

the drug by bacteria. "

[Guest guest]

Thanks for that info Ron! I guess that's something for me to

investigate further -- i.e., to what extent might minocycline

interfere with MTX? This group has been incredibly helpful. Thanks

again to those who have offered suggestions and info in response to

all of my questions!

Sharon

> > Thanks Amy! I'm starting to think that it might be beneficial

for

> > people who are on MTX anyway to add minocycline to the mix. I'm

so

> > happy for you that you're pain free and that it worked for you!

> > Sharon

>

>

> http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/mtx_wcp.htm

>

> " Drug Interactions "

>

> " Oral antibiotics such as tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and

> nonabsorbable broad spectrum antibiotics, may decrease intestinal

> absorption of methotrexate or interfere with the enterohepatic

> circulation by inhibiting bowel flora and suppressing metabolism

of

> the drug by bacteria. "

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sharon, I hope it lasts! One more thing I should mention is that I take a

lot of vitamins (multi, E, Cal/Mag, Omega 3, and D, as well as a probiotic,

which as I understand it puts " good bacteria " back into the gut. But because

none of these are covered by insurance, and it can get spendy, I'm not always

taking all of these consistently. So, I guess I what 'm saying is that the

vitamins may have something to do with my success, but my condition doesn't

worsen when I'm between regular doses of vitamins. Food for thought!

--------------------------------

Message: 2

Date: Mon, 09 Dec 2002 15:26:46 -0000

From: " ron_s_dotson <PA@...> " <PA@...>

Subject: Re: using other DMARDs such as MTX while trying the antibiotic protocol

> Thanks Amy! I'm starting to think that it might be beneficial for

> people who are on MTX anyway to add minocycline to the mix. I'm so

> happy for you that you're pain free and that it worked for you!

> Sharon

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/mtx_wcp.htm

" Drug Interactions "

" Oral antibiotics such as tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and

nonabsorbable broad spectrum antibiotics, may decrease intestinal

absorption of methotrexate or interfere with the enterohepatic

circulation by inhibiting bowel flora and suppressing metabolism of

the drug by bacteria. "

--------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Thanks Amy,

I have been modifying my diet a lot lately. I hope it'll help and I

don't think it will hurt. I eat tons of veggies, fruits, more

protein, fewer carbs (especially processed carbs like bread &

pasta), more water, organic food whereever possible and am taking a

good probiotic. Almost no sugar (hard to resist an occassional small

bite of chocolate!). I'm also avoiding peppers and tomatoes, but

haven't been able to cut out potatoes quite yet (nightshades). The

probiotic and organic foods are expensive, but I think it's worth

it. I also take vitamin C because I read it helps protect teeth

against discolouration while on minocycline. As well, I'm taking

folic acid because it was recommended to protect against canker

mouth sores (I haven't had one canker sore since I started taking

the folic acid and I was getting them all the time before).

Unfortunately, the omega 3 gave me stomach aches, so I stopped

taking it. Also, since I'm worried about possible weight gain while

on the prednisone, I try to have smaller portions of food. But with

an average of 3.25 mg a day of prednisone lately I hope there's less

danger of that side effect.

Sharon

> > Thanks Amy! I'm starting to think that it might be beneficial

for

> > people who are on MTX anyway to add minocycline to the mix. I'm

so

> > happy for you that you're pain free and that it worked for you!

> > Sharon

>

> http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/mtx_wcp.htm

>

> " Drug Interactions "

>

> " Oral antibiotics such as tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and

> nonabsorbable broad spectrum antibiotics, may decrease intestinal

> absorption of methotrexate or interfere with the enterohepatic

> circulation by inhibiting bowel flora and suppressing metabolism

of

> the drug by bacteria. "

> --------------------------------

[Guest guest]

" I eat tons of veggies, fruits, more protein, fewer carbs (especially processed

carbs like bread &

pasta), more water, organic food whereever possible and am taking a good

probiotic. Almost no sugar "

I do the same with my diet on the advice of my naturopath.

" As well, I'm taking folic acid because it was recommended to protect against

canker

mouth sores (I haven't had one canker sore since I started taking the folic

acid and I was getting them all the time before). "

I started taking the Folic acid along with the MTX and wondered if I should keep

taking it now that I'm off the MTX. I used to get canker sores a lot...I

switched toothpaste (to Sensodyne) and thought that was the reason they stopped,

but maybe it is partially the folic acid...I think I'll stay on it.

" Unfortunately, the omega 3 gave me stomach aches, so I stopped taking it. "

I wonder if eating flax seeds would be a good way to get at least some Omega 3.

They are yummy on salads.

Amy in Oregon

[Guest guest]

Hi Amy,

You wrote: " I started taking the Folic acid along with the MTX and

wondered if I should keep taking it now that I'm off the MTX. I used

to get canker sores a lot...I switched toothpaste (to Sensodyne) and

thought that was the reason they stopped, but maybe it is partially

the folic acid...I think I'll stay on it. "

I've used sensodyne toothpaste for years and had canker sores

anyway. I still use it, but the sores have stopped ever since I

began taking the folic acid. Just one caplet a day.

You also wrote: " I wonder if eating flax seeds would be a good way

to get at least some Omega 3. They are yummy on salads. "

Thanks, That's a good suggestion. I've heard you have to crush the

seeds first though, or they'll just pass right through the digestive

system...

Sharon

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

I am finally getting up the nerve to take MTX and would like your opinion on it.

I am so scared of it as it is a chemo therapy drug and scares me.

Any info will be greatly appreciated..

Robin, Penny, Chance, Heidi, and Hope (Florida)

http://www.geocities.com/goldens4life2000/index.html

Messenger: goldens4life2000

[ ] Re: using other DMARDs such as MTX while trying

the antibiotic protocol

Hi Amy,

You wrote: " I started taking the Folic acid along with the MTX and

wondered if I should keep taking it now that I'm off the MTX. I used

to get canker sores a lot...I switched toothpaste (to Sensodyne) and

thought that was the reason they stopped, but maybe it is partially

the folic acid...I think I'll stay on it. "

I've used sensodyne toothpaste for years and had canker sores

anyway. I still use it, but the sores have stopped ever since I

began taking the folic acid. Just one caplet a day.

You also wrote: " I wonder if eating flax seeds would be a good way

to get at least some Omega 3. They are yummy on salads. "

Thanks, That's a good suggestion. I've heard you have to crush the

seeds first though, or they'll just pass right through the digestive

system...

Sharon

[Guest guest]

Hi,

You wrote: " I am finally getting up the nerve to take MTX and would

like your opinion on it. I am so scared of it as it is a chemo

therapy drug and Any info will be greatly appreciated. "

I'm no expert on MTX, as I have never tried it. I'm trying

minocylin (with very low dose prednisone and Ibuprofen) first,

because that combo seems less toxic. If the minocyclin works, I'd

rather be on that long-term. However, if the minocyclin doesn't

work, I'll certainly try other DMARDs, such as MTX or Enbrel. My

view is that the danger of letting PA go untreated is greater than

the risk of side effects from the DMARDs. (I would also consider

combining MTX with minocyclin, although it's been pointed out that

minocyclin might interfere to some degree with the absorption of MTX)

Sharon

scares me.

>

> In , " Goldens4life "

<goldens4life@c...> wrote:

> Sharon,

> I am finally getting up the nerve to take MTX and would like your

opinion on it. I am so scared of it as it is a chemo therapy drug

and Any info will be greatly appreciated..---

>

> Robin, Penny, Chance, Heidi, and Hope (Florida)