Antibiotics, Arthritis Treatment

Having not used antibiotics in the past I have overlooked the need to replace the good bacteria! So now I am adding acidophilus and bifidus in the late afternoon for now and will check with my doctor later in the month to confirm if this is the best time of day for that. Also, I originally began taking Minocyline in early April. At that point I was so anxious to get results I took it upon myself to suppliment my prescription of 100 mg antibiotic with another 100 mg of another anti-inflammatory prescription that was in my cupboard. A few weeks into it the Herxheimer effect kicked in along with alot of gastro-intestinal bloating. This went on for six weeks.

As of my first posting in Aug. I had discontinued the extra dose, confessed to my doctor and had been taking only the 100 mg. prescribed currently. I was under the impression that I wasn't getting any results and had wasted most of the summer. Not so, I just didn't realize that the Herxheimer effect had started so quickly and lasted for about three months!

It is so important to be as educated as you can be concerning whatever disease you are having to deal with. Being the "patient" of a doctor in our culture assumes that you are turning yourself and the disease over to the doctor. To recover from disease you have to take charge, educate yourself, teach your doctor if you must. Just don't do what I did and take over without informing your doctor what you are thinking. A good doctor will listen to what you have learned and work with you not simply demand you take the drugs he is offering. Drugs cover the symptoms of RA! And while you enjoy the temporary masking and risking the side effects that in some cases are fatal; the disease is growing in strength.

It take some guts to start up conversation with a doctor and feel like you are prepared to make your wishes known. It's worth it! Your life and health are priceless. My next visit with a Neurologist who has been treating me for about six years is going to be my last. I don't need him anymore!  The migraine headaches are gone, I won't be needing anti-depressants anymore or pain meds. He's a great doctor, he talks with me, not at me and I have always been able to share my latest and sometimes wacky attempts at resolving my pain issues. On a personal level, I'll miss him. Maybe we can play poker!

Oct. 15 I will take a copy of "The Road Back" for him to read, I think he will be interested. Many of his patients die from brain tumors and incurable disease. Having a simple, no bad side effects treatment for RA will be something he may want to offer.

I am also going to loan a copy to my former family physician who was extremely concerned years ago when I told him that I had started taking Hydrocodone for  pain. At the time it was no problem for me! To be able to take a pill and be able to function, what's the problem?  After six years of taking Hydrocodone 500 mg. I packed it up and got rid of it.  It didn't work anymore and the side effects!

Recovery, Arthritis

I am striving to maintain a balance here to document my experience truthfully with no sugar added. Our three mile walk yesterday felt like I had a nail in the bottom of my foot for the last half! I did notice more swelling after walking the day before but was determined to get out there. When your toe looks like a sausage it's impossible to avoid checking the size frequently!

Flathead Valley winters are very gloomy! We all go a little crazy when the sun shines. For the past six winters I have been extremely depressed. The combination of lack of sunlight and the clinical type depression which accompanies arthritis; it has been ugly!

Due to the fact that I have not been active for about six months now, walking briskly left me needing a little pick me up about 3PM. So, I had a few cups of coffee! I think I went to sleep about 4AM and missed this morning and did not feel great when I finally crawled out of bed.

Going for another walk today....it doesn't hurt that much more than staying in one position (on the sofa) for more than 20 minutes and then getting up. Will make sure Danny loosens all of my new jars before he leaves town for work today, just in case.

Waiting to hear from the publisher of "The Road Back" about the possibility of offering it as an Ebook on the blogsite for a reasonable price!

Hip Pain, Arthritis, Walking

Yesterday's walk had to end at 3 miles. My foot and hips started to ache a bit.  Bought new athletic shoes on the way home. Somewhat stiff today but to be expected since I have not been very active for several months (35lbs to prove it!). Going for another long walk today. Feeling pretty good in the morning too. Used start the day with an ice pack for my neck, medication for a headache and half of the day to get moving! Those days seem to be behind me now.

I have to give credit to my husband Danny. For the past 12 yrs. he has been as patient as anyone could be with my pain. When you're not bleeding or in a cast your pain can be difficult for others to process or even remember that it exists. I seem to have a knack for covering it. I don't like sympathy, empathy in small doses if I am feeling isolated. I have a good friend who has had her own challenges with pain and MS. We have been very supportive of each other. It helps to have someone to talk to when you need to relate and not be treated as though you are just seeking sympathy.

Weather, Arthritis, Exercise

It's a beautiful ,sunny, 70 degree day and my husband and I are heading out for a long walk. Have had about 7 days of virtually no foot pain. Took a 3mph 1 hr. walk on the treadmill 3 days ago. The next day my foot was more painful but no where near what it used to be prior to getting results from the Minocycline.

Am able to accomplish some painting in my house without needing a day to recover from overhead work and muscle stiffness and  pain from the repetitive motion of painting. I am looking forward to my next visit with the family doctor. Going to ask for some blood tests to document improvement. Sedimentation rate or sed-rate is a marker of arthritis.

Contacting the publisher of "The Road Back" to find out if I can place a PDF file of the book on my blog. I really want to see easy access to this life changing information at a reasonable price.