Question
I’ll try to make this short. I am 52 and RA for also 10 years. Had to retire from nursing because of this. Also have fibromyalgia and asthma. I have tried every drug that there is for RA. Nothing seems to work. trying to do antibiotic therpy now. Have been on doxycycline 100 mg. IV q day for 1 wk, and then every,other day for 2 weeks and minocycline 100mg QD for 2 weeks. RA factor is now 2670 and sed rate 90. Have gone up since on rx. I have Kaiser for seniors ins. In my area there are not many dr. I can see. The last one’s nurse said that until I could afford the meds. that the dr. prescribed there is not much hope. So my PC is taking care of me and he doesn’t really know what to do next.Is there a web site that he can go too to talk with someone.At least he is trying to take the time to help me. Can you help with my problem.
Answer
The antibiotics minocycline (minocin) and doxycycline have been well researched and have been shown to be only slightly effective (at most) for RA. Their use has for RA has dropped considerably since the new drugs for RA have been approved. I would strongly urge you to try to see a rheumatologist. Your medication history sounds complex. Distinguishing RA from fibromyalgia pain is very difficult, even for a rheumatologist. Your PC using a website is no substitute. Becoming involved in a clinical trial of a new drug might be a way of getting access to medication.
