Anti-biotics?

keith1971

Hi all,

Anyone tried or have knowledge of anti-biotic therapy for arthritis?

x

cherrybim

Hello Keith,

I know a little bit about Penicillamine in as much as when I was first diagnosed with RA 33 years ago I spent a month in the hos with a lovely lady (I'm probably the same age now, minus a bit as she was then, lol) who was prescribed that DMARD by our mutual rheumy.

We remained friends for many years and it appeared to have helped her greatly. Sadly she's no longer with us so I've not the opportunity to see how things progressed for her after she reached her 80s

Later, when I was a school registrar one of the teachers developed Wilson's disease (not arthur related) He was immediately prescribed penicillamine. That would've been about 15 years ago. We hear from him, his wife and two boys at Christmastime and he's thriving well, although he can never cease the medication. Here's the link for penicillamine http://www.patient.co.uk/medicine/Penicillamine.htm

Many of these "old fashioned drugs" have stood the test of time.

I was forever grateful that my RA burnt itself out for years, only to come back and bite me on the bum six years ago. I begged for the gold again but it was explained to me that unless it's continuous it'd be ineffectual and I think the same thing applies to the penicillamine. Oh well, I did have a good time in the interim

Should you be curious about the antibiotic therapy, go ask your Rheumy. You're young and the best medication is always more effective for the young 'uns

Let us know how you get on with your questions

Cherry x

keith1971

Hi Cherry,

Many thanks for the informed reply! Made very interesting reading.

Will discuss with my rheumatologist when I see him shortly.

Oh & many thanks for describing me as a 'young un'! It's been a while since anyone did that.



Hope you have a lovely weekend.

x x

scattered

Hi Keith,

From what I can understand, based on my own research, antibotic therapy is not widely used in the UK at all. This is mainly because ti does not have the research to back up it's claims for moderate or severe RA. It does appear to work some on very mild RA, but whether that is the antibiotics working or the RA naturally going into remission is up for debate.

Those who take antibotic therapy think that their RA or other autoimmune disease was intially caused by an infection that resides in their bodies. Specific antibiotics (primarily minocycline) are used to draw out and kill the infection over time and it can take many years. The antibiotics cause flares of symptoms called a 'herx' which is thought to be the antibiotics attacking the infection and producing toxins which settle in the joints and cause an increase in symptoms. This reaction is meant to show that the therapy is working as it should.

Like I said, it isn't widely used in the UK and most doctors haven't heard of it. There is an American website (http://www.roadback.org) that has some information which may be of use to you.

Hope that helps!

Scat

PatriciaH

Hi Keith,

I am new to the forum and have been reading your post regarding Antibiotic Protocol. I have been researching this myself and have come across the Roadback website which was mentioned. It all seems really interesting.

Was just interested in what your rheumatologist said and how you feel about it now??

Would be really grateful to hear your view on it.

Pat x

keith1971

Hey.....

I'd forgotten all about this!

Didn't ask my rheumatologist last time so will see what he says on Monday!

Yes, BUPA are still being very nice & paying for me to go private....I'll continue to do so until they send me a letter saying 'that's it!'. When I spoke to them on the phone they didn't really seem to know how long they'd pay for treatment.....so I've just been keeping my head down!

And yes, it's PA I have.....though my skin is only affected very mildly.

stickywicket

Re penicillamine - this worked well for my RA for years, Keith, but I'm pretty sure it's a DMARD not an antibiotic. In fact, I'd always to be careful in hospital because there was usually at least on time when they'd try to give me a penicillin tab instead. I haven't come across antibiotic treatment for arthritis.

PatriciaH

Thank your for your reply Keith and to everyone else for their thoughts. I am new on the forum and your views really help.

Would be really interested to hear what your rheumatologist says Keith. I mentioned it briefly to mine at my last visit and he says we can discuss it in September when I go back.

I discovered the 'Roadback' website which is all about the Antibiotic Protocol and have ordered the book 'The New Arthritis Breakthrough' which explains all about it. As Scattered so rightly pointed out there is a theory that RA and suchlike illnesses start with infection and an antibiotic such as minocycline/doxycycline or the tetracycline groups help. It apparently takes a long time but lots of people seem to get a a good degree of mobility back and for many, remission. I am in contact with a couple of people who it has helped.

I am not knocking conventional medicines because I have been really grateful for them but it scares me to think about the biologics which I may have to go on to.

Would be good to get another rheumatologist's opinion.

Pat x

keith1971

No problem Pat, will ask him for sure.

And really you're not alone in being terrified but the biologics! They seem to have great benefits but the potential side effects are rather frightening.

x

dreamdaisy

Some forms of arthritis start with infection, reactive for one, but RA and PA are auto-immune. Anti-biotics attack infection, our immune systems respond with exaggeration to nothing harmful. I know that people with reactive arthritis do find benefit from anti-biotics to treat the infection that has triggered their RctA, but for the other kind? If it were that simple why do not more people know about it? Is it down to confusion over penicillin and penicillamine? They are very, very similar names. DD