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carol
Moderator
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Posted: Thu Aug 26th, 2004 17:13 |
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Dear Friends:
I posted a progress report a few days ago about my first two weeks on Benicar see my post under "Benicar Only").
I took my first 25mg of Minocin yesterday. Within 3 hours I was experiencing dramatic herx symptoms: fatigue, burning muscle pain, stabbing intermittent pain in some joints, sore throat, abdominal pain, stinging eyes.
I was amazed! Over the last 9 years I have taken HUGE doses of Minocin, Zithromax, and Biaxin orally as well as numerous courses of Clindamycin IV and IM. I have NEVER experienced anything like this with any of these treatments. In fact, I know now that I never experienced a herx at all with these treatments. I never would have believed that taking a few granules out of a 100mg capsule of Minocin would have produced such an effect.
Because I had such limited success with the above treatments, I had started exploring two other therapies within the last few months: bee venom therapy and high, pulsed dose metronidazole. I DID herx with both of these. I mention this because the herx symptoms with bee venom, metronidazole and the MP have been virtually identical in my case--even the odd sore throat and stinging eyes which are not in any way RA symptoms and not symptoms that I have experienced at any other times—popped up with the bee venom, with the metronidazole and now with the MP. The conclusion that I draw from this is that this is part of what happens when Carol’s bacteria dies in Carol’s body.
So I can see that going the MP route will not be fun. But I can tell you, it is easier to tolerate than bee venom and metronidazole and, IMO, much more likely to lead to remission.
I am feeling so hopeful for the future. Like so many others, I have lots of Th1 disease in my family and I have two young adult children. There’s only one thing that I want more than remission for myself. I want to keep my children from going through this. I believe that the breakthrough research and courage of Trevor Marshall and collective experience that is unfolding here holds the key to making this a reality.
Carol
RA
Started MP 8/11/04
25-D:32
1-25-D:65
Benicar 40mg/6hrs; Minocin 25mg M/W/F
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rheumatoid arthritis dx '96...started MP 8/11/04...initial D tests: 25-D=32; 1,25-D=65...10/07 entered Phase 5...Xodol daily, Valium and Tramadol occasionally, all for pain...last 25-D=7 (10/09)...Benicar only, no abx
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carol
Moderator
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Posted: Sat Aug 28th, 2004 16:54 |
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Dear Friends:
I took my second dose of Minocin, 25mg, last night. After a very significant herx with dose #1, I was a bit surprised to have only a slight reaction to dose #2.
I would appreciate advice/comments regarding the following—
#1 Even though I’ve only taken two 25mg doses, I’m planning to increase to 50mg Minocin tomorrow. I’ve read in the phase 1 protocol write up do not try to speed up therapy by increasing Minocin dose more than weekly. However, I believe I read another msg from Meg somewhere that moving through the program as quickly as possible can help prevent repopulation of “cleared” cells with other bacteria. (Sorry, I may not be remembering this accurately.)
#2 I have been taking quercetin with every Benicar dose, but I have decided to stop for now. I can’t say that I noticed that the quercetin made me feel better, and, on the chance that it retards “bug killing”, I thought I’d give it a rest.
#3 My blood pressure hasn’t changed significantly since I started the MP, but my pulse has gone up. It was mid 70’s before I started Benicar. It was mid 80’s on Benicar alone. It was 108 at the height of my mini-herx last night. Is this typical?
I’m thrilled with what’s happening!
(Sorry, I didn't put this with my first progress report because I couldn't figure out how to cahnge the title. Can the moderators help?)
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rheumatoid arthritis dx '96...started MP 8/11/04...initial D tests: 25-D=32; 1,25-D=65...10/07 entered Phase 5...Xodol daily, Valium and Tramadol occasionally, all for pain...last 25-D=7 (10/09)...Benicar only, no abx
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Huey
Guests visiting Phase 1/2/3
| Joined: | Sun Jul 25th, 2004 |
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Posted: Sat Aug 28th, 2004 17:39 |
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carol wrote:
I’m thrilled with what’s happening!
Me too. Shortly after I started the mino 25mg, the herx set in rather strong, so I started quercetin 400mg every 4 to 6 hours. It worked so well that I thought that I had finished my herx…I was very wrong…became suspiscious…went off the quercetin, and several days later the herx set in good and strong.
I am sure quercetin is very helpful to many, but I need to be able to "read" my herx so that I can gage my progress. You might review my posts on FULL PROTOCOL BENICAR AND ANTIBIOTICS, and you can see my initial confusion.
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Huey
1990--sudden onset CFS
Jul 04, d test 25d-29 1,25d-34
Aug 6,04--Started phase 1
Nov 16,04--Started phase 2
Sep 28,05--Started phase 3
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Foundation Staff
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| Joined: | Sat Jul 10th, 2004 |
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Posted: Sat Aug 28th, 2004 17:50 |
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Hi Carol,
Your signature doesn't contain your details so I'm doing a little guessing here. The MP is designed to proceed cautiously to avoid intolerable Herxheimer reactions. Because we know that you can get different Herx reactions from the same dose of minocycline, we suggest that you take a week before ramping up to the next dose. The caution about bacteria becoming resistant to minocycline refers to using it for several months alone. Three months for phase one is just a guideline. You may find that you can proceed to phase two faster if you are willing to risk a stronger Herx reaction. Some will find that they need to take much longer. Either timeframe is okay.
It is common for the heart rate to increase as angiotensin decreases. This will eventually normalize as your inflammation subsides. My heart rate was in the 90's all last year but lately has reduced to 70-80.
I'm glad to hear that you are doing so well.
Meg
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carol
Moderator
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Posted: Sat Aug 28th, 2004 18:04 |
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Meg and Huey:
Thanks for the advice. I will rethink my plan to drop Q and increase Mino after only two doses. Will report back.
Meg, my "info" showed up at the bottom of my msg on my screen. Can you help me discover what the problem might be with this?
Also, here is another question--
Meg suggested that I have another 1,25-D test run after two weeks on Benicar and before I started the Mino. Unfortunately, communication problems with my doc meant that I was not able to do this. I have the paperwork now. Does it make sense to get the 1,25-D test run on Monday after three doses of Mino, or wait a bit? Just was to get the most usable data.
Thanks.
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rheumatoid arthritis dx '96...started MP 8/11/04...initial D tests: 25-D=32; 1,25-D=65...10/07 entered Phase 5...Xodol daily, Valium and Tramadol occasionally, all for pain...last 25-D=7 (10/09)...Benicar only, no abx
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Foundation Staff
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Posted: Sat Aug 28th, 2004 18:19 |
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Carol,
Mino does cause 1,25-D to flare briefly but, if you don't have to pay for the test, it would be interesting to see how much Benicar has lowered 1,25-D. It should still be much lower even with the doses of minocycline.
Suzanne just posted instructions on how to do the signature line here.
Meg
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satwell
Member
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Posted: Mon Sep 13th, 2004 17:16 |
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Hi Carol,
I am thrilled you are so encouraged with your treatment. It is wonderful to have hope with this horrible disease. I will check for your posts and look forward to keeping in touch via email since Miss Pattie got your email address for me.
My doctor is not ready for me to start this treatment and since I am doing so well for now will wait and see. But if I have another bad flare this winter will insist on starting this protocol.
Best Wishes for a healthy future,
Satwell
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suzanne
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Posted: Mon Sep 20th, 2004 03:00 |
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Hi Carol,
Thank you for sharing your experience with the Marshall Protocol. There are only a few so far with RA using the MP so we will be watching your progress with interest.
I can relate to your desire to conquer your Th1 inflammation for the sake of future generations in your family. I see evidence in my own family of Th1 inflammation and pioneering the MP seems the best way to help them as well as myself.
Please let us know how you are getting along,
Best,
Meg
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