Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Alternatives and ALCHEMISTS Montana, here I come!!

google radon mine. I bet your Drs would never say even if its under their noses!!
Silly people.

Hey Zanni,

Go back and read Donette's post from 13/10/09. It's in Boulder, MT - near Butte...

Here's the link: www.radonmine.com

I checked it out cos I was curious, and it looks like a scenic spot! If I were in the USA instead of Oz, I could see my hubby and kids spending time hiking and my hubby doing photography in that area, whilst I breathed in the radon gas...

Louise

Hey Zanni,

I read that there are 6 of these radon mines in and around Boulder. The Free Enterprise Mine that I went to is a "dry" mine, meaning the walls and floor aren't dripping water. Some of the others are wet mines and not as well established as this one. I have only seen pictures, but I agree with H20girl that this one is my choice. The others obviously have their regular customers too, and maybe lower prices, I'm not sure. There was a feature story on the other mines in National Geographic. If you go to NG's website and search radon mine you can read the story and see the pictures. It also tells how people bring their pets there too for therapy. How sweet!

I can give you Pat Lewis' email address/phone number if you would like. It is also listed on the website. She is VERY helpful with any questions you might have. A really nice lady.

-Donette

Oh the tale I have to tell of a girl who tried radon therapy and very much ticked off her rheumatologist.

Yes, I am proud of myself. I did not cry when my Dr. accused me of being "diabolically opposed to western medicine."

My reply was "I don't care if it is western, alternative, or any combination in between, as long as it allows me to continue to be a mom to my three kids."


What-ev!!! Hey, I didn't cry (miracle) I view this as a victory. Besides I felt GREAT again today. Its way easier to not cry when you don't feel like death, warmed-over.

He had "no recollection" of telling the PA to tell me there would be no more biologics in my future because of my allergic reaction to Enbrel. Seriously bub, if you're wearing a white coat you better take some notes of what comes out your pie hole!

Since he didn't remember telling me I couldn't take anymore biologics, I pressed. "In your opinion CAN I take other biologics?" (A very clumbsy side-step of the question here with another accusation of unfounded skepticism for western medicine lobbed at the patient.)

That was when he walked out of the exam room and ordered his receptionist to copy all of my records for me because he "hoped I would seek out another specialist."

You know, I'm actually grateful he is a "doofuss." If he would have shown a modicum of concern for me at my appt. 3 weeks ago, instead of sending in his PA to tell me there were no more treatments available for me, I WOULDN'T have sought out alternative therapies and found the radon mine.

By the way, my blood work before the mine therapy was:

CRP=19.9
SED=65

I plan to have my GP do my blood work again near the end of December to see if my radon therapy brings those #'s down. That would be very scientific proof in my book.

Hey all,

New Blood Work Dec. 10, 2009

CRP=2.5 (pre-mine 19.9)
SED=58 (pre-mine 65)

I have been in a vicious flare (husband having to shower/dress me) since cold weather set in late November and have been trying the no starch diet. I have seen some results w/diet for sure, but it is difficult and I have cheated a couple times only to be painfully reminded why I tried the diet in the first place.

So upon further investigation as to when results kicked in for people from radon therapy it is usually 2-3 months post-mine. Jan. 10 will be 3 months for me and I am still hopeful to see some more results.

This past week I had 2 nights in a row where my brain wouldn't shut off and my arms/legs felt like they were charged with electricity = no sleep. I'm not sure if this is mine related. I took NO meds either of these strange nights. It just brought back the memory of the electrical feeling my first night in the mine.

Some good things are that my neck and back are still 100% fine.
My feet ocasinally flare with eating starches. Even off the starches though my arms/hands/wrists are soo bad...typing one handed...can't button up my own jeans.

Take care all. Wishing you all good health for the new year!

Sorry to hear you are still not finding much relief. I have had some mixed results as well. My pain has always been hands and feet primarily...and since the mine visit that is very reduced....However, I have been having back pain since summer and that is just a little better if I am taking NSAIDS.

My first visit when I was in a severe flare, I was also taking Micocycline. I know you have been trying a lot of things....doesnt hurt to try one more

good luck

Hey Brian,

I tried Minocycline (same drug family?) last week for 9 days and it made me so dang dizzy all I could do was lie in bed 90% of the time. It is an antibiotic. It didn't help the arms/hands at all. I see my GP (I don't have a rheumy replacement yet) on Tuesday and thought about asking for a diff. antibiotic, maybe cipro? I've been cheating way bad on the NSD on Christmas though. Back on the wagon today - repenting.

I hope your back gets feeling better!

Take care.

Hi Donette,
Minocycline is an antibiotic (similar to Tetracycline) but whilst it was originally seen as proof that Rheumatoid Arthritis (and other Rheumatic conditions) must have an infectious origin it is now regarded as acting principally as a DMARD (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug). This might explain a few of things - 1 - it often takes 6 months or so before it kicks in -2 - patients often need to be on a low dose permanently and - 3 - according to Dr Erbringer's theory RA is caused by a sub-acute Urinary Tract infection involving Proteus mirabilis but minocycline cannot be succeeding as an antibiotic since Proteus species are ALWAYS resistant to the Tetracyclines.
The original studies using minocycline postulated that the most likely infectious agent causing RA was Mycoplasma pneumoniae (sometimes called L - forms) and these are indeed sensitive to the tetracyclines. Mycoplasmas lack a rigid cell wall and are difficult to grow on conventional media. It's uncertain if their isolation from diseased RA joints was "real" or whether they were just contaminants.
Having said all that it is a shame that you can't tolerate minocycline since for the spondylarthopathies it has the added advantage of being active against Klebsiella species in the gut. I'm presuming that in the spondylarthropathies minocycline still acts as a DMARD but others who have used it for extended periods might be able to confirm or deny this.
Originally Dr Brown in the 80's was a "lumper" - he felt in terms of clinical treatment RA and AS could be lumped together - NOW we know differently.
Cheers David P
PS Minocycline may act as a DMARD through its action as a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor - whatever that means!

Hi David,

I have RA. I tried minocycline for six months. I had no side effects but I also had no improvement at all. When I started methotrexate, I gave up minocycline - too many drugs for my liver.

That is a huge drop on the CRP wow. I am sorry it was not enough and did not help with the pain but no question some of the inflammation was taken out with that number.

Best of luck