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 Welcome to the Rheumatic Support newcomers pageTips: When beginning the antibiotic protocol 1. Do try and get the brand for whichever antibiotic you are prescribed. There is no way of knowing the percentage of active ingredient (actual antibiotic) in the generics and that can affect the therapy. The generics contain fillers/additives which can create some problems for people with sensitivities. This is the experience of many with fibromyalgia and lupus. Ask your physician to check off "no substitutions" or to write "DAW" (dispense as written) in the box or even medically necessary to be sure the brand is given to you. 2. We suggest using only the brand name of Minocycline, MINOCIN, as this is what was used in the clinical trials. If using Doxycycline, DORYX, is a pelletized caplet. It will be easier on the GI tract because it is pelleted and it is more readily absorbed. It also remains in the system longer, an important feature for those on pulse dosing (MWF). This drug is considered a brand name and not a generic for Doxycycline. 3. Take the antibiotic 2 hours from food, vitamins and supplements, 1 hour from other medication. If you consume dairy products, allow at least 2 hours before the antibiotic is taken. Take with 8 oz of pure water.( try plain seltzer if nausea is something you experience) Flavored seltzers often have added calcium and magnesium. Tetracyclines bind to calcium, iron and magnesium as well as other minerals so be sure to take with no food or other than plain water as the drug will be rendered much less effective. 4. A probiotic is essential to replace the "good" bacteria to the body. Taking acidophilus daily on this therapy will be very important to your response. Keeping yeast from forming is key. Acidophilus helps just that. If yeast does develop, there are natural remedies as well as pharmaceutical preparations such as Nizoral, Diflucan and Nystatin. Yeast is like mycoplasma in that it has many strains, different drugs addressing different organisms. Yeast can form, too, from estrogens and birth control pills, Prednisone and Dmards used for these diseases. Many have yeast before beginning this therapy so measures may need to be taken. Diet may be something you need to work on as well. Limiting sugars and carbohydrates will help. The Yeast Connection by Dr. William Crook is a must read. 5. Keeping a three ring binder near the computer to print out information and storing it for any reference is beneficial. From recipes to clinical trials, as well as alternative therapies and insights on supplements, can be stored and then brought to your physician for discussion. 6. When going through the "Herxheimer" reaction, drink plenty of fluids, water in particular, utilize the peroxide baths and try the Benedryl at night to help with the histamine release that occurs during a herxheimer reaction. Even 1/2 a tablet of Benedryl helps if you experience a lot of tiredness the next day. Lowering the dose of the Minocin/Doryx is another way to control the herxheimer reaction as the severity of the herx is always dose related. The less you take the less the herx. If beginning this protocol and on traditional medications still as Prednisone and or/Methotrexate, many times you CAN start at a higher dose as these medications do interfere with the absorption of the antibiotic. There, also, is less of a chance to herx while on these medications. This has been the experience of many using this protocol. 7. When on antibiotic therapy, detoxing is necessary. The peroxide baths help this but the drinking of lemon water has been a big factor as well. (Cut organic lemons and place in a big pitcher of filtered/bottled water.) Make sure you add the whole lemon as the rind has the most benefit. The more serious detox is the lemon, olive oil drink. Lemon juice and olive oil flushes toxins from the liver. Extra Virgin Olive Oil increases the flow of bile from the liver. This helps the liver get rid of accumulated toxins and poisons. Lymph fluid then drains into the liver for processing and eliminating waste products of cellular metabolism. Some persons have reported that just drinking lemonade reduces the size of their lymph nodes. The mechanism of how lemons do this is not known. In addition, the lemon juice acts on proteins to break them into a free form, which are more easily assimilated. Also, the lemon juice helps to dissolve minerals in the food for better assimilation. This drink should be used with all dietary supplements to improve their assimilation. To make the drink: 1 cup water 1 whole lemon cut in fourths (scrub well & use seeds and all) 1 packet of sweet n' low (optional) 1 T. extra virgin olive oil Put in a blender and process on high for 1 to 2 minutes. Pour through a wire strainer, pushing as much pulp through it as possible. Drink it all at once (over ice chips is nice) or divide it and spread it out. This improves the PH of the body and helps with absorption of nutrients. 8. Check with your physician about soaking in a bath of 2 cups Epsom salt and 2, 16 oz bottles of hydrogen peroxide for about 30 minutes. It helps rid the body of toxins deep in tissues and kills a wide spectrum of microbes. (First, soak in tub about 5 minutes before adding the Peroxide and Epsom Salts to open pores.) This can be done at least 1 to 3 times per week. Take no vitamins 4-8 hours before bath. The hydrogen peroxide may be increased later to 3 bottles per bath if well tolerated. . Using the anti -infective bath, even after the Herxheimer is over, will continue to augment the effect of the antibiotic by helping to decrease the mycoplasma and other microbes. 9. Do not add or subtract more than one thing at a time, be it a medication or supplement. When doing so it makes it impossible to know what can be causing a problem. Do only one thing at a time and you will know what the culprit is if experiencing a problem. 10. Network with other patients on the antibiotic therapy as it will help you if questions arise. The bulletin board as well as the chats are offered to give you patient help and education. 11. Always CONSULT your doctor if a problem arises or before beginning a new treatment. Never discontinue AP or any medication without your physician's knowledge. Also, realize we are just patients ourselves and are not a substitute for a doctor's advice. 12. Journal any reactions, changes, or responses to the medication. It is good to note your pain level for the day and areas where it is occurring. Use a blank calendar. That's the easiest way or even a journal online. Especially note if symptoms change or lessen (even for an hour). Include activity level if it is different or more than you have been able to do. 13. Access http://www.rheumatic.org as well as http://www.immed.org There is a substantial amount of information there, studies as well as a few different protocols. Educate your family physician as he/she may be of help once the information is provided. Hopefully, your physician will be knowledgeable, open, positive and affirming about your use of this therapy. If you find your doctor is unsupportive, contact us as we will provide a list of physicians that have expertise in this therapy. We are not medical professionals, just patients with education in this therapy that are passing along what has been done for us. Mycoplasma Testing: If you are not on an antibiotic, you may want to be tested for a mycoplasma infection. In many cases it will help with insurance should you decide to use the IV protocol. It also helps you validate an infection with your primary care physician should there be an issue with getting the antibiotic, as for rheumatic diseases, mainstream medicine does not see an infection as cause, therefore, not an antibiotic for treatment. If not on antibiotics, you can do PCR. If already started, then the complement fixation does not require a washout. (only done at Arthritis Research Institute) Because of the handling procedures that can make a difference in your result, many AP physicians use the following labs as they are most reputable. Medical Diagnostic Laboratories 133 Gaither Drive, Suite C Mt. Laurel, New Jersey 08054 Toll-free: (877) 269-0090 Phone: (609) 608-1696 Fax: (609) 608-1667 e-mail: mailto:SALES@MDLAB.COM website: http://www.mdlab.com The Arthritis Research Center 504 E. Diamond Avenue, Suite I Gaithersburg, MD 20877 Phone: (301) 216-1231 Fax: (301) 216-0302 [Offers PCR and antibody mycoplasma tests] Access our Bulletin Board for any questions whether on the treatment or considering it. For live, on the spot help, visit our chats at 9 ET Monday and Thursday every week. Look for our chats featuring some of the AP physicians. All are welcome. Information about antibiotic therapy: The Links provide some useful information on this site. Read the patient stories as well. Newer books available about this therapy: Solving the Puzzling Problem of Arthritis by Pat Ganger and Carol Lange Overcoming Arthritis by Dr. David Brownstein Rheumatoid Arthritis:The Infection Connection by Katherine Poehlmann Ph.D |
Information, support and networking for people who are on or considering antibotic therapy.
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