Is anyone here taking Minocycline?
Taking antibiotics for RA
I read a bit on Minocycline (a tetracycline) is a standard oral antibiotic prescribed for RA though it is not approved by the FDA for that use and I haven't heard one doctor I've been working with mention anything but DMARCs (I think that's how it's spelled) and prednisone as effective. I am curious about it and will push for the minocycline because I recently had unrelated knee surgery (a meniscus tear) and was given an antibiotic during surgery. I felt GREAT the day after surgery, and while I was pain medication free for 12-20 hours (due due to a side effect). I could use my hands freely, did sewing for the first time in many weeks, no dizziness, it was amazing. But I would like to know if there are others out there who have successfully taken Minocycline, for how long and how much dosage. Thanks!
Hi warriorwoman! While you wait for other community members to chime in with their personal experiences, I wanted to share this article on Minocycline with you: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/antibiotics-for-ra/ I hope this helps a bit! - Alesandra (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
I tried it but it did not work
Recently I was diagnosed and treated for COVID. The early symptoms were increased joint pain etc but once I got to taking Paxlovid it was an RA relief medication and joint pains improved or disappeared for a few days. I’m sure that medication is anti inflammatory..finished taking it now, fatigued from the virus but happy to have less joint pain and stiffness for several days!
Thank you for sharing your experience, how interesting. It's great you were able to tolerate the medication and it made you feel better. I sometimes find, and many on this forum have agreed, that sometimes when we get sick with "regular" things like a virus, cold, flu etc., are RA symptoms improve. I think this is because the body is busy fighting the real invaders and not our joints. However, I know before and after getting sick flares can happen. Wondering if you relate? -Effie, team member
I had more pain and stiffness before the COVID symptoms were obvious. But once the disease tested positive and I started Paxlovid, it’s as if I was treating my RA with a new and effective drug. I began to feel better than I expected. I even slept more comfortably.
, that's really interesting! I would be interested to find out if any studies are being done about the anti inflammatory effects Paxlovid can have and what other uses there might be for the medication. I hope you are able to enjoy many more low pain/stiffness days!
Best, Erin, Team Member.
Hi
. This is interesting. I can tell you that I didn't find anything noting Paxlovid having anti-inflammatory properties. It works by stopping the COVID infection from being able to continue replicating inside the body. I can also tell you that when my wife, Kelly Mack (a contributor here), got COVID in the very early days of the pandemic (before any specific treatments or vaccine) her RA symptoms got better. One ankle that had been swollen since I'd known her suddenly looked normal. Doctors suggested the possibility that her immune system had something else (the COVID to focus on, so it stopped attacking her. Of course, this was only a theory/thinking out loud, but made a certain amount of sense. Her rheumatologist eventually said he had seen and heard of other similar situations. It might be an interesting question to ask your rheumatologist about to see what they think. Either way, I'm glad the Paxlovid seemed to help the COVID issues. Best, Richard (Team Member)
