Any try Minocycline for MS?

[steerpike]

I'm going to try and convince my Lyme doctor to put me on Minocycline.... a common tetracyline antibiotic. Apparently, it crosses the blood-brain barrier very well and exerts neuro-protective/anti-inflammorty effects
In the rat model of MS, the results were quite good at suppressing further MS-based disability. Google: Minocyline, Rat Model of MS (encephalomyelitis).
It's just going into clinical trials now.

"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_u ids=11835378&dopt=Abstract".

Kind of makes me wonder if MS is due to an infection or autoimmunity, as Minocyline has both anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Who knows?

The Biaxin/Plaquenil mix was too nightmarish to take. One caused me the worst anxiety imaginable.... the other.... the beginnings of retinal damage. Awesome. So much for that.

[newwoof]

I have been tking it for about 2 months. I don't know whether itis doing anything. what should I be looking for? I have also started capaxone. When My doc prescribed the mino she said it may help but won't hurt. still have to wait for te clinical trials. Hope tis helps. Feel free to ask questions. Newwoof

[steerpike]

Hi newwoof,

There have been a number of rat studies indicating that Minocycline slows down MS progression.... it probably modulates the immune system in some way.

How's the Copaxone going?

[newwoof]

Hi Steerpike,

I Don't really know what I am supposed to be looking for. I hope that it works things out quickly. I have been relapsing for the last couple of monthes. rehabed myself back to walking after the first relapse. Now I am in a chair full time and waiting to have the attacks settle before I try to get walking again. I have high hopes for the copaxone. The only side effects that I have noticed is the pain at injection site, and nausea. It's fun trying to inject yourself while having a tremor. That really sucks. I am going to try and stick with it for a year and see how it goes. I am new to this. I have been living with it for so long its hard to remember what is a new pain, or symptom. Only been diagnosed since March. This sucks this sucks this sucks. Thanks, I needed that. Taking Cesamet for pain but looking for other ideas too. I looked up today and saw the end of summer coming. Man I have not done anything for 6 monthes. is this normal?
Thanks for the ear

[steerpike]

Doesn't sound like fun

Hopefully the Copaxone will slow down the attacks, so your body can recover a bit.

I haven't really done very much lately either, but I'm trying to re-integrate myself into society, as I've been feeling a little better lately. (despite the growing muscle weakness in my arms). My strength is up and the cognitive crap is at a tolerable level now.... thanks to what I've been doing with the diet/supplements.

For a while, it was difficult to just sit and watch TV. Or focus on anything. I felt completely removed from reality.