Rheumatoid Arthritis

TrustingGod 2018 USA

I am a 20-year RA warrior and I am in remission thanks to the antibiotic protocol. I am grateful to Dr. Brown for his life’s work. I am grateful that he had the courage to push forward with his research despite the barrage of naysayers.

There were not many effective options available to treat RA when I first began having symptoms. I was offered a very high dose of prednisone. Concerned about the long-term side effects of prednisone, I began researching alternative treatments for RA and I stumbled across the antibiotic protocol. I started the protocol within a year of developing symptoms. I was in complete remission within eight months. I started with doxycycline and experienced amazing results. My doctor eventually switched me to minocycline because my doctor felt that it was more effective.

I have come off minocycline twice because of hyperpigmentation issues. RA returned within 30 days each time. I tried doxycycline the second time and it was not effective despite being effective with early RA. I eventually returned to minocycline each time and it took a couple of years to get back in remission the second time. I use name brand minocin (100 mg once a day). I have found the generic to be not as effective. I have learned to live with the hyperpigmentation. At least, I am pain free.

Because I was having difficulty getting the disease back into remission, I sought out the help of a naturopath (a natural medicine doctor). I was desperate, but it was one of the best things I did to get back on the path of overall good health. She introduced me to curcumin (turmeric), fish oil, and vitamin C, all of which I have found to be effective in managing inflammation. She also eliminated dairy and sugar to a great extent from my diet, both of which have been shown to cause inflammation. All of her suggestions helped to move me back into remission.

RA is a vicious cycle. The pain of RA causes stress which exacerbates the pain. I would encourage you to work with your doctor to find a way to help silence the pain, even if it is temporary. I think it helps the protocol along. I had one large swollen joint that was causing pain throughout my body. My rheumatologist had given me a steroid shot in that joint, which didn’t provide me with any relief. In search of relief, I went to see an orthopedist a few months later. The orthopedist gave me another shot of steroid but coupled it with Novocain. He also sent me home with a compression bandage. I think the Novocain was the trick. It silenced the pain. The antibiotic protocol kicked in and I have been in remission ever since.

Please focus on stress management and negative feelings. I know that it is hard when you are in pain. Pain changes you. Trust me. I get it. Stress and negative emotions just feed the RA.

Also try to get at least 8 hours of sleep. The body heals when you are at rest.

I wish that larger double-blind studies were done. Then maybe the protocol would be considered a first line medication. In comparison to newer biologics, it is less toxic and much cheaper. Even my AP doctor pushes biologics over the protocol. At my most recent doctor appointment, I said to him, after he gave me his biologic talk, “I think that my hands look pretty good to be a 20-year warrior.” He replied, “Yes, your hands look pretty good.” I just smiled.

Be encouraged. Remission is possible.

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