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Foundation Staff
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Posted: Fri Oct 29th, 2004 03:28 |
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How long should I stay on Benicar only? Why don't I feel better? When should I start minocycline?
We suggest that you remain on Benicar only a week or two until you stabilize. What does that mean? Well, Benicar will drop the level of 1,25-D rapidly. Usually by about half in two weeks. For some people (perhaps those with lots of symptoms due to hypervitaminosis-D) that means that they feel somewhat better taking Benicar. But that is only about 50%. Others (about 25%) feel much worse on Benicar. That is probably due to their body having difficulty adjusting to the new 'norm' of the reduced 1,25-D because many other hormones need to adjust also.
Some folks have the misconception they will feel better taking Benicar and they should not begin minocycline until they do. That is incorrect. Stabilizing means that any new symptoms you're experiencing due to hormonal adjustment are now tolerable and you think you could handle feeling a bit worse due to a likely immune system reaction. If your 1,25-D was sky-high (over 60), you might want to continue Benicar only for an extra week. But otherwise, if your symptoms are tolerable, then there is no reason to wait more than two weeks to start the minocycline.
You will continue to take Benicar at the recommended dose to maintain the Benicar blockade as long as you are on the MP.
Using Benicar to wean a steroid medication
If you are establishing the Benicar blockade to assist with the weaning process, wait two weeks to stabilize on Benicar before you start the weaning process. When weaning is complete, wait two weeks before beginning minocycline.
Minocycline
Some people whose symptoms are not stabilizing, or perhaps are increasing on Benicar only within the first two weeks, find that they feel better by starting minocycline.
Minocycline is your friend. When you start minocycline, Benicar can and should be adjusted if necessary to keep the symptoms to tolerable. By delaying your start you may be suffering longer than it is necessary. Try not to worry about the immune system reaction symptoms. Tolerable immunopathology may be achieved by adjusting the meds and you can post and ask for assistance at any time.
Dr Marshall wrote: "Taking Benicar alone might allow you to feel good enough to survive for another few years, but will not cure the disease. You will need all the power of the MP to kill the microbes causing this disease and return you to health."
The Marshall Protocol is a curative treatment plan. This means that it is designed to kill the bacteria that are at the root of your problem. By doing this, immunopathology is unavoidable. You will feel worse but you should be able to avoid intolerable symptoms by keeping the dose of minocycline low and the Benicar blockade in place.
The Benicar blockade activates the immune system so that it can sense and attack the intra-phagocytic bacteria. Minocycline can be immuno-modulatory and may actually reduce your immune response, and the regular 48 hour (or extended cycles) may help to make the immune response fit into a predictable pattern.
If you need to take other medications (not on the list to avoid) for symptom relief, that is fine. There is no need to suffer needlessly. Just remember that your goal is not simply a palliative effect where you might only feel better but a complete remission. It took a long while for you to acquire these nasty critters. I hope you will persevere with the MP so you can get rid of them.
Delaying any aspects of MP or using some aspects and not others is unsafe and ineffective. see safety warning.
Low-dose, high frequency minocycline
Sometimes the Benicar blockade allows your immune system to function well enough to cause intolerable immune system reactions. In that case, low-dose mino taken frequently acts as an NSAIDs to quell immunopathology. For that reason, we suggest that doctors order the mino at the same time as the Benicar. This measure may also be used by those weaning from a steroid. See I seem to be reacting with Benicar alone? Why? and When to take low-dose, high-frequency minocycline
Can I delay the start of Minocycline due to personal circumstances?
The aim of the MP is to reach a level of immunopathology consistent with your abilities and lifestyle, and stay at that level until the intra-phagocytic bacteria are all killed.
This might sound irrelevant, as you have just started Benicar, not the antibiotics. Yet the Benicar will have begun to activate your VDR, and activate innate immunity. At the same time, it has provided some palliation by selectively activating (and blocking) several other receptors in the immune system.
If you are stable on just the Benicar and need to feel good for awhile longer due to personal circumstances, you may delay the introduction of minocycline. What you have is better than nothing and you have achieved the goal of stability.
Related info:
What should I know about Minocycline?
How do I take a low dose of minocycline when the capsules only come in 50mg?
My immune response/symptoms are too strong. What should I do?
Do I need to get my 25-D down before I start the MP?
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