In terms of MS therapies out there--instead of Copaxone, interferons, LDN, Tysabri, and Estriol, how about Minocycline? I've been doing a lot of research about this tetracycline antibiotic today. It's cheap, appears to have anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties and is in clinical trials right now for MS. Just google Minocycline and Multiple Sclerosis and a lot will come up. Here is one of many:

http://msj.sagepub.com/cgi/content/short/13/4/517

I've been on it for acne for a year now. I have had no progression. Granted I am also on Tysabri but now the neuro thinks it might not be safe to be on Minocycline and Tysabri together. So I have to go off the Minocycline. I can't tolerate any other MS drugs and if for some reason Tysabri no longer works I will go back to the Minocycline on full dose until the new pills come out. It is very very easy to tolerate.

Natalie,
It seems to be studied as a drug to be used as Combination therapy along with one of the DMD's

Minocycline FAQ October 2007

What is Minocycline?

Minocycline is used to treat bacterial infections including acne; pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections; and infections of skin, genital, and urinary systems.

Minocycline is in a class of medications called tetracycline antibiotics. It works by preventing the growth and spread of bacteria. It comes in pill format.

Recent studies have demonstrated its anti-inflammatory properties, a key factor for MS researchers to look closely at the drug.


http://www.mssociety.ca/en/releases/nr_20071025_faq.htm

A much smaller initial study used minocycline on its own and showed a significant effect, albeit delayed by a few months. Now they are combining with copaxone but there is strong suggestion it might also help as a monotherapy. You have to dig for all the specifics. A biotech company has distiller down the important parts of the drug for a future clinical study with MS.

Natalie,

You should check out the boards on www.thisisms.com - they have an entire forum on the use of antibiotics as tx for MS - http://www.thisisms.com/forum-28.html.

Why does your doctor now believe it isn't safe with the Ty?

~Keri

I was on minocyline for about a year for acne. At one point I went to my dentist because I had a bunch of gray spots on my gums. He told me it was from the minocycline and that I was lucky it hadn't spread to my teeth, yuck! It's permanent. I still have gray gums 10 years later.

If I really believed it would do great things for MS, I'd live with no teeth .

I just wanted to let people in on this not so pretty side effect. It seems like every med gives me problems though, so take this with a grain of salt. I guess it's a minor thing compared to some of the alternatives.

I've never, ever heard of this one. What were the gray spots exactly, or was that 'named'?

I took Minocycline before for acne as well, but it made me ill (reaction) so I stopped taking it.