Posted on 01/05/2005 4:19:08 PM PST by neverdem
YES....I am on doxycycline ....I refused to go the HEAVY DRUG route....after doing research of my own, and finding a like minded doctor. (Too bad it takes soooo long to make you feel better, though!)
I was recently diagnosed with RA also, but because I have been taking aspirin 3x day for ordinary arthritis, I still had a low CRP. I now take it 4x per day, on schedule and with food.
Statins aren't the only way to lower CRP. ;-D
btt
How's your stomach doing? And, how's your RA? (My condolences for the diagnosis....I KNOW what IT'S like!)
It apparently works better when combined with Roxithromycin. Ask your doc if he's willing to try combined therapy.
The aspirin will reduce the inflammation but not kill the microbacteria that is probably causing the inflammation. Ask your doc about adding an antibiotic like doxycycline.
Are YOU a doctor?....I've done LOTS of research...never heard of Roxithromycin.....going to check now. THANKS.
RA is an auto immune disease caused by a prior strep infection long gone.
RA could be MANY things.....what makes you so CERTAIN it's from "strep?"
Arthritis is caused by many things. Rhumatoid arthritis is a specific arthritis caused by strep infection. It is a unique arthritis with it's own characteristics. Other organisms, such as B. burgdorferi, (lyme disease) can cause similar autoimmume diease.
Hmmmm....so YOU are a doctor? If it's caused by strep (which I had when I was in my 20's).....and it comes back to haunt you by the immune system.....then WHY don't doctors SAY that? NO doctor I've read of, talked to, or heard of has EVER said "strep" was the cause of RA....in fact, I'll go to the roadback.org....and see what everyone THERE says.
I went and reviewd "The New Arthritis Breakthrough" Book I have....and Yes, strep CAN be an RA instigator, but I doubt that it ALWAYS is....if it is, amoxicillin should cure me, right?
Post 32 was for you.
I'm not sure how similar the arthritis of RA and that from B.burg. are.
Very interesting. I guess one can ask their doctor for a blood test that would indicate the levels discussed.
No. The infection is almost always gone, or at least almost total remission by the time RA developes. RA devlopes at a later time, sometimes decades after the infection. RA is actually an autoimmune disease where the body's own immune system is doing the attack and damage. It's usually controlled by reducing the immune response with corticosteroids and anti-inflamatories.
Where do you get YOUR information? I will not use corticosteroids.....I WILL get to the bottom of the problem....likely mycoplasma within cells (strep gone hiding?)....
Infla-Zyme is one of more popular enzymes used here as well as in Europe.
No.
"If it's caused by strep (which I had when I was in my 20's).....and it comes back to haunt you by the immune system.....then WHY don't doctors SAY that?"
They do. Their lit. is where I got my info. From immunology and infectious disease lit., not athritis lit. My childhood doc also thought so.
"likely mycoplasma within cells (strep gone hiding?)."
There's no mycoplasma there. It's an immune attack on the synovia and smooth muscle at least. The joints and smooth muscle are usually aseptic-no bugs whatsoever. It's similar to MS, where intermittent immune attack occurs on the myelin sheaths of nerve cells.
"I will not use corticosteroids"
They are of little help in the long run. They are a short term fix that opens one up to infection, because of reduced immune response. Aspirin and nutrients, like geletin and glucosamine and chondroitin are effective in the long run. I know little of any other meds.
Could Lyme Disease cause this inflamation?
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