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pigment spots (freckles)/minocycline

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Liz G.

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Sep 13, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/13/99
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Does your Dr think they are from the minocycline? Other things can cause
brown spotting of the skin too, like adrenal problems, and probably others I
am not aware of. Ask the doctor if you have not already. I have seen
pictures of minocycline hyperpigmentation and they looked more like bruising
to me than liver spots. Liz G

LakotaCo

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Sep 14, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/14/99
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I took minocycline M-W-F 2/day for apx. 1 yr. Can't say it helped much;
however, getting my 2 badly inflamed knees replaced settled down all my joints.
Now what do I do about all the brown spots? The Estee Lauder products to fade
sun/age/liver spots don't seem to be doing much. I wore 50 SPF sunscreen all
summer on my jaw, neck, hands and arms. Any ideas? Jan in KC

Hartlady14

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Sep 14, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/14/99
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Jan: What did your doctor suggest? My doc. mentioned that this is a side
effect of Minocin use and not related to sun exposure per se. Hope there is
something they can do for you.

Nan
(Hartl...@aol.com)

AChrist787

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Sep 14, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/14/99
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Nan, the hyperpigmentation I got from Minocin were bad enough that my RD took
me off it. 2 years later, the blotches are still there and show no signs of
leaving.

Anne

Soc Jog

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Sep 14, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/14/99
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Hi Jan,
You may want to talk to Sherry on the scleroderma newsgroup . Sherry has info
about using cover ups because with SD you get these red lines in the face. You
can get there via alt.support.scleroderma like you subscribed to here!
Now as far as the freckles let me tell you that I have those "age spots/
freckles "and I had them before I started minocin. I also had severe bruising
and hyperpigmentation which as you can see on the boards there was a post about
this too! It seems that both can be a symptom of our auto immune disease. Heck
it still is better then pain and fatigue I had!
I found there are many different protocols to follow with antibiotic therapy
I have done really well on everyday therapy for 2 1/2 yrs now. That protocol
was the same protocol they use in the largest clinical trial nationally.
Everyday 100 mg 2 X's a day Not everyone can tolerate it but it worked for me.
There are also other antibiotics that you can use The best thing is to have a
mycoplasm fixation test done to see what strains of mycoplasm you have and what
antibiotic is sensitive to it. Otherwise it is using antibiotics blindly. The
above may have been why you said "Cant say it helped much ". I also found
instructions on how to take it and when and with what NOT to take it, was
lacking when I started this 2 1/2 yrs ago. I hope you were advised correctly.
If I can help just drop a line.
One final thing there is a cover up by clinique you may want to try that I
heard was pretty good Hope this helps regards,
socjog>

Soc Jog

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Sep 14, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/14/99
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Hi Anne,
Usually when they stop minocycline that IF this was the cause the
discoloration should subside . As I posted prior to this post it may have been
a symptom of your auto immune disease. I have severe hyperpigmentation,
bruising and age spots or freckles all of which I had prior to any antibiotic
therapy. It is very upsetting to me but I have found nothing to do for it
other then make up !! I hope this is not the case with you . Regards,
socjog >

Elf marge

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Sep 14, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/14/99
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Hi Along with Liz,
I posted an article about the hormones being related as a doc saw the thyroid
was most times out of balance and the response to AP was based on the hormone
balance.
Just a thought
Marge
Marge

Elf marge

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Sep 14, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/14/99
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Hi,
I know the MWF protocol would not have helped me as my disease process was
really far along. I went on the 100 mg 2 x a dayev day as per the clinical
trials.
I have age spots but the benifits far outweigh them. The pain and fatigue are
gone as well as the drugs!
With the MWF , the experienced docs use Iv's to start then switch over. I do
not remember you sharing that.( experienced doc was the way to go for me)
Are the spots on your face as the doxycycline does says that it does that but
at a conference I went to the docs said they do not see it with Doxycycline.
If you went off how long ago as I heard they fade>
If I can help please do not hesitate to ask.
Marge

Lady Andy2

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Sep 14, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/14/99
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>Nan, the hyperpigmentation I got from Minocin were bad enough that my RD
>took
>me off it. 2 years later, the blotches are still there and show no signs of
>leaving.
>

I have heard from physicians that hyperpigmentation from minocycline can be
permanent. Also, the description I usually heard was of larger areas of dark
pigment, rather than freckle-sized. Of course, the best one to ask is the
doctor.

As others have mentioned, there are other causes of hyperpigmentation as well.
I have a history of severe psoriasis, and part of the healing process with
psoriasis can lead to hyperpigmentation. These areas eventually fade, but we
are talking over years and years here, and I still can see some shadow of where
they were. (strangers probably wouldn't notice :) )


Best regards,
LadyAndy2 in Los Angeles, CA (remove "nospam" to reply)


ks0...@my-deja.com

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Sep 14, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/14/99
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Hi,
How many years are we talking about, when you say years and years. Is it
like 2,5 , 10 or even more. Does hydroquinone or such fading creams
help?

I have hyperpigmenattaion from hot water burns and am wondering how much
time would it take to go away
Thanks


Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Share what you know. Learn what you don't.

Hartlady14

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Sep 14, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/14/99
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Anne: My local Rheumatologist participated in the trials for Minocin and found
that hyperpigmentation is indeed a probelm with Minocin use and he makes
certain that his patients have a clear idea what that actually looks like. As
you have seen by the posts here everyone has a different interpretation of
that. Mnay folks whohave benefited from AB feel it is worth the risk and so
that is up to you to determine with the help of your doctor. My doctor also
felt that the efficacy was not there with AB therapy and often because it can
take considerable time to kick in there is a risk of further joint
deterioration while waiting. I chose to go with something that would have a
quicker disease modifying effect and have never regretted it.
Nan
(Hartl...@aol.com)

Elf marge

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Sep 14, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/14/99
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Nan,
That is why they start Minocin with the MTX and the pred on long term patients.
Doctors with expertise in Antibiotic therapy have a good handle on this. I had
no problems as it was added to everything else and 4 months later then the
weaning started. The drug had built up and I had no rebound. I am off MTX amost
2 yrs( nov) and 1 1/2 for MTX.
Lately, I started cutting the daypro.
As I said, I went for an opinion from a doc who did a lot of antibiotic
therapy and knew the ropes. My RD was not aware either and gave me
misinformation. I believe that happens to many.
Marge
Marge

Lady Andy2

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Sep 14, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/14/99
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I suspect it depends on how severe your hyperpigmentation is. A dermatologist
could probably answer your question better, but in my case, I think it was
about 2 years for the areas to become noticeably faded. I have been free of
the psoriasis in those areas for about 7 or 8 years now, and each successive
year they are somewhat more faded and at this point could easily be mistaken
for the natural pattern of freckles and spots we all have.

I don't know if this is true of all hyperpigmentation, but my psoriatic
hyperpigmentation responded well to a LITTLE extra sun. Of course, sun also
has dangers, especially for those of us taking sun sensitizing drugs.

I never put anything on these areas except lotions (like Eucerin or Vaseline
Intensive Care) or coal tar preparations (like MG-217). Again, I have
psoriasis... I don't know if these things will do anything for you. Best one
to ask is a dermatologist.

Soc Jog

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Sep 14, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/14/99
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>
>I have heard from physicians that hyperpigmentation from minocycline can be
>permanent.

Hi Lady,
I can not find any literature to back up this claim. What is funny is that I
too had " Heard" that hyperpigmentation was a rare side effect but the
updated literature is not even listing this as a side effective precaution or
adverse reaction ! Strange maybe the incidents were so rare that this is no
longer the case? I checked with the AF drug guide , RXlist.com and medicine
net.com They update this sites so fast but it is not there, weird ! Regards,
socjog


Hartlady14

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Sep 14, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/14/99
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>My RD was not aware either and gave me
>misinformation. I believe that happens to many.

Marge: As i said, my RD was indeed aware and was very knowledgeable about the
protocols, etc. That is perhaps why I valued his opinion. I went to see him
with a packet of information and had just read the Henry Schemmal(sorry for the
spelling) book so I was ready to battle for it. He convinced me it was not the
way to go.

Nan
(Hartl...@aol.com)

Hartlady14

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Sep 14, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/14/99
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Anne: I agree with Soc that the best tool at your disposal is research. find
out all you can, listen to all options, then make your choice. The better
informed you are, the better advocate you can be for yourself with your doctor.
I have found that my doctor treats me with a great degree respect because he
knows I do my homework and try to stay up on the latest research. It makes our
discussion of the options very productive. Take care.
Nan
(Hartl...@aol.com)

Hartlady14

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Sep 14, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/14/99
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My doctor, who participated in the trials, feels very strongly that
hyperpigmentation is a very real side effect and saw it first hand with many of
his patients who were on AB therapy. He also noted, that it did not go away,
after stopping the therapy.
Nan
(Hartl...@aol.com)

AChrist787

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Sep 15, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/15/99
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>I have heard from physicians that hyperpigmentation from minocycline can be
>permanent. Also, the description I usually heard was of larger areas of dark
>pigment, rather than freckle-sized.

>LadyAndy2

This is what mine is. Large permanent blotches. Fortunately, they are on my
legs and no where else.

Anne

AChrist787

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Sep 15, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/15/99
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> My local Rheumatologist participated in the trials for Minocin and found
>that hyperpigmentation is indeed a probelm with Minocin use and he makes
>certain that his patients have a clear idea what that actually looks like.

My RD in NM took me off the minocine 2 years ago when the hyperpigmentation
started appearing. My RD here in TX has confirmed that this is what caused the
blotches. I didn't feel it was worth the risk and I also didn't feel that the
minocine helped to a substantial degree, and it was a joint decision between
myself and my RD to take me off the drug.

Anne

AChrist787

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Sep 15, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/15/99
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> Just one more note not all Drs. are educated in this therapy especially
>those
>that up front do not believe in its efficacy leaves me very suspicious Why?
>Well, because the NIH proved in clinical trials that this drug was safe and
>effective period!

For some people. For others of us, it has not been effective at all. My RD in
NM also participated in the clinical trials for minocin, and my current RD is
the head of the department of Rheumatology for the University of North TX and
is well versed in the protocol as well.

>Hyperpigmentation can occur with our disease as a symptom,
>as it did in my case before minocin.

Which disease are you talking about in particular. I have erosive osteo and
had no hyperpigmentation prior to the minocin.

> You best tool is education. Read everything you can and take it to your
>Dr
>and discuss it fully with him/her.

You are assuming that I have not done this, which is presumptuous. Not every
drug helps all of us. For some of us, as several of us have stated in the
past, minocin is simply not the drug which is most effective for us. I am on
Sulphasalazine and prednisone. I just came off a trial of celebrex, on which I
suffered side effects that were common to one tenth of one percent of the
population. I have a problem with some drugs. Minocin is one of them.

Anne

LakotaCo

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Sep 15, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/15/99
to
mycoplasm fixation test done to see what strains of mycoplasm you have and what
antibiotic is sensitive to it

Socjog-

Thanks for the info--I'm curious about the mycoplasm fixation test and maybe
someday will get my ins. to go for extensive thyroid and adrenal tests (which
I've always suspected are involved). Jan

Elf marge

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Sep 15, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/15/99
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Hi Nan,
I am happy for your decision. Now, why continue this as it is just your rd's
opinion and I have an RD who thinks nasty things about enbrel etc.
He does not feel that hyperpigmentation is a really big deal( it is less with
Doxy BTW)
You do not take any of these drugs . I have for 3 years. Others I know have
for 10+.
I am not posting on the MTX threads what happened to me.
This did not even happen to you!
I am not attacking but you are in a subject that is not yours to know! you are
going on heresay, RD or not!
Marge


Marge

Hartlady14

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Sep 15, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/15/99
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>going on heresay

Marge: What I posted is by no means hearsay and i fully indtend to continue to
respond when I feel the need to do so. You, soc and others frequently point
out the side effects of other meds. as you should and I will do the same with
AB therapy. i happen to value my docs opinion as he particiapted in the
trials. That makes him a very valid source of information. Both sides of an
issue are always the best way to give people the full slate of information.
Sorry it that bothers you but so be it. You do not own the thread nor do I so
anyone is entitled to post there. Anne asked a question of which I feel
comfortable sharing information about. That particular topic,
hyperpigmentation is something I have a familiarity with. If you notice, I
also mentioned that it may not be an issue for everyone.
Nan
Nan
(Hartl...@aol.com)

Elf marge

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Sep 15, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/15/99
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Hi Anne,
Well, I do agree with Nan and socjog on the research. You need to look at all
the options and they are different for us all!
For me, this is a disease that I will have a long time. After trying many other
protocols, I needed my body to get a rest. The minocin did that plus I think I
never expected to do so well.

Keep researching.
Marge
Marge

Soc Jog

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Sep 15, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/15/99
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Hi Jan,
If you want e-mail me I have quite a lot of data about the mycoplasm fixation
test and I will send it to you if you desire. I also had the adrenal studies
done and thyroid studies. I do have hypothyroidism which is also another auto
immune disease Interesting isnt it??
BTW Under minocycline O'Dell 4 yr follow up thread elf marge posted a very
interesting article about thyroid disease and auto immune connection. Check
that out it was really interesting !! Regards,
socjog

Soc Jog

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Sep 15, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/15/99
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>
>>Hyperpigmentation can occur with our disease as a symptom,
>>as it did in my case before minocin.

It can occur as a symptom of many different auto immune diseases mine being
scleroderma , lupus and RA as some of them.

>
>You are assuming that I have not done this, which is presumptuous.

Oh no don't get defensive I didn't assume anything. It was a blanket statement
for those that read the board

.>Not every


>drug helps all of us.

Well, I have posted this quite often. Also many of us are not being told
correct protocol or instructions on taking this drug. The same "Some of us "
that you speak of well many that claimed the same no response from minocin when
I wrote to some it was discovered that there was a lack of knowledge because
of the tremendous misinformation.
Anne you sound like a person that does not have this problem. You sound very
educated so then why did you post this question if you knew the answer for your
own situation ?? I was just answering you with what knowledge I have learned
since on this treatment 21/2 yrs now and by going to the lead researcher in
this area of antibiotic therapy .
I am glad that the prednisone is working for you I am also sorry that you
have had many reactions. As I too have responded poorly to Methotrexate,
plaquenil and I am highly allergic to most drugs. For some reason minocin has
been the only drug to work for me I share this with you and the board for
information only. It is another journey in this auto immune world.
Regards,
socjog

Lady Andy2

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Sep 15, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/15/99
to
Yet another reason to see the dermatologist about hyperpigmentation that
doesn't go away, no matter WHAT the cause: I just saw some interesting
information on NBC television that gave many uses for new, specialized lasers
for skin problems. Included were the removal of port wine birthmarks, tattoos,
brown age spots from the hands, the beginnings of wrinkles from the face,
spider veins. I couldn't help but think about those people who say they have
permanent blotches of hyperpigmentation. Maybe a laser treatment would help
them?

Lady Andy2

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Sep 15, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/15/99
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I agree, Nan... whether it is a problem for everyone or not, it should be
discussed for anyone considering AB therapy, and that is what is being
discussed here. I myself have posted endless times about the warnings and
precautions that should be followed with mtx therapy, both in this group and in
the alt.support.skin-diseases.psoriasis newsgroup, as well as the precautions
that should be followed for NSAID therapy. An educated patient is a partner in
the medical decisions made in his or her treatment plan.

AChrist787

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Sep 15, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/15/99
to
> Anne you sound like a person that does not have this problem. You sound
>very
>educated so then why did you post this question if you knew the answer for
>your
>own situation ??

> socjog

Socjog, I didn't post a question in the first place. I posted a comment to
the effect that minocin caused hyperpigmentation for me and got slammed in
several directions, including some email. Sorry if you thought I was being
defensive. Chalk it up to a bad day with Sir Arthur.

Anne

Elf marge

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Sep 15, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/15/99
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Hi Andy,
I absolutely agree with you. The docs ( my former) did not ever tell me about
the depressed bone marrow I may get on MTX over 8 yrs.( and I did)
This is a serious one as it affects you immunity and I think I would have not
taken the chance.
It is better since off MTX but it will never go to normal range.
I kind of think of hyperpigmentation as the way my hair was thinning on MTX.
It was ugly, but I wanted to feel better.
Luckily, I do not have hyperpigmentation.
If one is using the alternate day therapy, the chance of them getting it is
much slimmer as the amount of drug taken is far less.

As always, thanks for your input!
Marge
Marge

KrissyJo

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Sep 15, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/15/99
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>I kind of think of hyperpigmentation as the way my hair was thinning on MTX.
>It was ugly, but I wanted to feel better.

I agree. Both are cosmetic. If any drug works for me I'd happily be bald with
polka dots!!!

Keep Smilin'
~Krissy
-------------------------
Akron, Ohio
Visit my web pages at:
http://arthritisnet.com
http://arthritisnet.com/kids
http://members.aol.com/KrissyJo/RA.html
http://fadedjeans.com

Elf marge

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Sep 15, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/15/99
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LOL LOL
Krissy, you got it! I hang with what's working!
Marge
Marge

LakotaCo

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Sep 15, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/15/99
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>had the adrenal studies
>done and thyroid studies. I do have hypothyroidism

socjog-

So is there a satisfactory treatment for hypothyroidism? Or is it another
'just live with it' diagnosis? Jan

ho...@auhs.edu

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Sep 15, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/15/99
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On 14 Sep 1999, Soc Jog wrote:

> Hi Lady,
> I can not find any literature to back up this claim. What is funny is that I
> too had " Heard" that hyperpigmentation was a rare side effect but the
> updated literature is not even listing this as a side effective precaution or
> adverse reaction ! Strange maybe the incidents were so rare that this is no
> longer the case? I checked with the AF drug guide , RXlist.com and medicine
> net.com They update this sites so fast but it is not there, weird ! Regards,
> socjog

DrSusan wrote:

A Medline search using the words hyperpigmentation and minocycline
revealed 39 articles between 1977 and 1999.

I think there is no question that minocycline may cause
hyperpigmentation of the skin. None of the articles (at least from the
abstracts) give the incidence with which this occurs but it is described
as rare (which to me means less than 10%). The word uncommon is often
used. So it happens but not most of the time. Minocycline can also cause
pigmentation of other areas besides the skin including fingernails,
sclerae (whites of the eyes), teeth and bone. There are a number of
articles in which biopsies of hyperpigmented skin were done and deposits
of minocycline were found in the skin. These deposits appear to be
minocycline attached to iron - a so called iron chelate of
minocycline These deposits are located within dermal
histiocytes, macrophages and eccrine myoepithelial cells.
These pigment changes may last for years even though the treatment has
been stopped.

There is some good news on the horizon that treatment with
lasers such as the Q-switched ND:YAG laser can achieve resolution of the
hyperpigmentation changes. (Reference B. Greve. Minocycline-induced
hyperpigmentation:treatment with the Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. Lasers in
Surgery and Medicine 22:2230227, 1998). So if any of you have develoiped
hyperpigmentation from minocycline, it is probably treatable.

Now, socjog has raised a reasonable point that hyperpigmentation
is only a cosmetic side effect. She is certainly right. This is
something that patients should consider when weighing the pros and cons
of this therapy and some people will consider it a trivial matter and not
a serious risk whereas for others, there may be some more concern. It is
of interest that other antibiotics do not appear to do this so if there is
ever any data on the use of other antibiotics such as Zithromax or
doxycycline in RA, perhaps they will prove to be safer agents than
minocycline.

The literature is not terribly helpful as to who might be at more
risk for this. However, there is an old paper from 1980 from JAMA
entitled Minocycline-induced pigmentation at sites of cutaneous
inflammation in which 4 patients were reported who developed blue-grey
pigmentation at sites of inflammation and one patient developed
generalized brown pigmentation insun exposed areas. Therefore it seems to
me that patients with cutaneous inflammation such as patients with
psoriasis might be at higher risk than RA patients. Unfortunately there
are no studies of minocycline in psoriatic arthritis published so we can't
know if this is more common in these patients. Certainly anyone taking
this drug would be prudent to use sunscreens liberally on sun exposed
areas.

Since I started this whole minocycline thread initially with my
report on the O'Dell followup paper, I have been saddened to see how it
has degenerated into flaming and silliness. It is my hope we can keep
this on an informational, nondogmatic level.

DrSusan

HO...@auhs.edu

ho...@auhs.edu

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Sep 15, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/15/99
to LakotaCo
On 15 Sep 1999, LakotaCo wrote:

> So is there a satisfactory treatment for hypothyroidism? Or is it another
> 'just live with it' diagnosis? Jan


Fortunately, we can replace thyroid hormone and no one need die
from hypothyroidism as was the case in the past.

There are two thyroid hormones T4 and T3. The body converts T4 to
T3.
The argument is over how to replace the thyroid hormones,
whether both T4 and T3 need to be replaced or just T4 and what source
to use.

There are a number of choices of thyroid replacement.

1. The first and oldest is dessicated animal thyroid gland - from cows.
Basically a meat processor (Armour) takes the thyroid glands, grinds them
up, dries them out and you take extract of cow thyroid which contains
both thyroid hormones, T3 and T4) as well as other cow proteins. This is
what Elf Marge was talking about some doc claimed was natural. My opinion
is that it is certainly a natural form of thyroid replacement if your
practice includes hypothyroid cows, but for people, thyroid extract is
a source
of foreign cow derived potentially antigenic proteins. If you are going
to limit beef consumption in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, as may
be helpful, why would you want to give them dried cow thyroid to eat?

2. Thyroxine (T4) has been chemically synthesized as both T4 and T3. T4
comes under the names Levothyroid, Levoxine and Synthroid. T3 comes as
Cytomel. Generally most docs only replace T4 assuming the patient can
convert the exogenous T4 to T3 on their own. However, a study in the New
England Journal of Medicine (I don;'t have the reference here but can get
it if anyone is interested) suggests that patients may feel better if you
replace with a mixture of T3 and T4. However, an editorial in the same
issue felt it was premature to add T3 to all patients on the basis of that
one paper although it was thought provoking.

Finally I should again reinforce that patients with 1 autoimmune
disease such as lupus or RA or myasthenia gravis or multiple sclerosis or
Sjogren's or scleroderma etc are at higher risk for autoimmuine thyroid
disease and hypothyroidism than normal individuals and should have TSH
(thyroid stimulating hormone) levels
checked yearly regardless of age and gender. The recommendation for
"normal" individuals is that women over 50 have yearly thyroid screens but
not healthy women under 30 or men (This is based on disease incidence).

So hypothyroidism is a treatable disease.

And, as far as I know, minocycline has no role in the treatment of
hypothyroidism <g>.

DrSusan
ho...@auhs.edu
Susan Hoch
HO...@auhs.edu

Soc Jog

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Sep 14, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/14/99
to
Hi Anne,

Just one more note not all Drs. are educated in this therapy especially those
that up front do not believe in its efficacy leaves me very suspicious Why?
Well, because the NIH proved in clinical trials that this drug was safe and
effective period! Hyperpigmentation can occur with our disease as a symptom,

as it did in my case before minocin.
The drug was found SAFE and effective by he NIH and the Odell 3 and 4 yr.
follow up trial. The drug is recognized by the USP in its use for RA and the
Arthritis Foundation lists its use in the drug guide that just came out 1999.
In Fact in the AF drug guide there is NO mention of hyperpigmentation. The drug
guide states dizziness, vaginal infections, nausea, headache, skin rash and
that is all. I also checked with the site : http://www.rxlist.com and there
was no mention of hyperpigmentation or freckles or age spots . There was
mention of sun sensitivity which stated was rare. Just wanted to point out
that there is a lot of misinformation out there even coming from Drs. too!
On another note my Dr. ran the largest double blind clinical trial in the
nation :) !! That's why I went to him! He is currently running a new trial
using this drug and scleroderma . He is a leading researcher in this area and
published on this subject! He is an expert from Harvard and a Chief
Rheumatologist at Boston's Beth Israel.

You best tool is education. Read everything you can and take it to your Dr
and discuss it fully with him/her. Hope this info helps,
socjog

LakotaCo

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Sep 16, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/16/99
to
>hyperpigmentation from minocycline, it is probably treatable (quoted from Dr.
Susan).

My ankles are all blotchy red and folks sometimes ask if I've been burned.
I've tried Dermal K, saline injections and some kind of laser treartment but
nothing helped very much. (I've had psoriatic arthritis in the past but not
for the past 2 yrs or so). Anyone else with this condition? Jan in KC


Elf marge

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Sep 16, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/16/99
to
Hi,

It is good of you to give us that information. I can only share from my own
personal experience.
I guess with th amount of years I have been sick and the protocols I have used,
hyperpigmentation( if it happens) does not bother me as I am glad to be rid of
all the pain and fatigue.

Thanks for the laser info. I will keep that on hand to share with others, if
thats ok!
Marge
Marge

Lady Andy2

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Sep 16, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/16/99
to
>My ankles are all blotchy red and folks sometimes ask if I've been burned.
>I've tried Dermal K, saline injections and some kind of laser treartment but
>nothing helped very much. (I've had psoriatic arthritis in the past but not
>for the past 2 yrs or so). Anyone else with this condition? Jan in KC
>

Hi, Jan... when I have active skin psoriasis plaques, they often resemble
burns. To be sure, I would have a dermatologist look at what you have and give
you a diagnosis. It could be one of the 5 forms of skin psoriasis. You can
see some <icky> photos of the different kinds at the National Psoriasis
Foundation's website: http://www.psoriasis.org/

Janet Norman

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Sep 16, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/16/99
to
ho...@auhs.edu wrote:
>
> > So is there a satisfactory treatment for hypothyroidism? Or is it another
> > 'just live with it' diagnosis? Jan
>
> Fortunately, we can replace thyroid hormone and no one need die
> from hypothyroidism as was the case in the past.
>
I couldn't agree more. I have a brother who has the "worst case"
thyroid problem... he was born without a thyroid gland. Thanks to the
availability of thyroid hormone replacements he is a healthy, active
adult (36 years young with a family of his own).

Janet

Liz G.

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Sep 16, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/16/99
to

AChrist787 wrote >the effect that minocin caused hyperpigmentation for me

and got slammed in
>several directions, including some email.

How absurd, Anne ( of the slammers, not you!) I coorespond with a lot of
people on minocycline treatment, and while it does not always cause
hyperpigmentation, it certainly can. I have a picture of what it looks like.
If anyone wants to see it, write me and I will e-mail it to you. May take a
day or so to get back to you if you do, flaring in the middle of celebrating
two birthdays in the family this week over here.
All the therapies for arthritis have benefits, and downsides as well. It
is a matter of choosing what works the best for our particular case and
whether the side-effects are worth the benefits.
I hope that were able to consider the source(s), and not let it ruin your
day! Liz G

Soc Jog

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Sep 16, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/16/99
to

<<
Socjog, I didn't post a question in the first place. I posted a comment to
the effect that minocin caused hyperpigmentation for me and got slammed in
several directions, including some email. Sorry if you thought I was being
defensive. Chalk it up to a bad day with Sir Arthur.

Anne
>>
Oh Anne I am sorry looks like a misunderstanding all around!! Hope your feeling
better I am sure all this crazy weather all around is not helping any of us
with "Sir Arthur." You should be free to post what ever you want without
getting slammed! I am sorry you had that experience. Feel better regards,
socjog

Soc Jog

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Sep 16, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/16/99
to
>
>socjog-

>
>So is there a satisfactory treatment for hypothyroidism? Or is it another
>'just live with it' diagnosis? Jan

Hi Jan,
No this one is easy to treat with hormonal replacement of the thyroid hormone
with a synthetic drug called synthroid or you can use a natural animal hormone
called Amour(sp) with cytomel for T4 replacement I am on synthroid with no
problem. You have to get your levels checked often in the beginning then once a
yr. or as needed. After a while you really know when they are off at least I do
:) So this one is fairly easy to tackle . I wish the other disease were this
easy . Regards,
socjog
BTW there is a thyroid newsgroup and many thyroid sites online. If you want the
links e-mail me :)

Soc Jog

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Sep 16, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/16/99
to
Hi Dr Sue,
Well that was very interesting! If this is so then why is hyperpigmentation
not listed in any drug reference as a side effect? Is it because of the low
incidence as you stated you thought it might be less then 10%? Just curious,
thanks for the interesting information. I also knew that this was possible, it
was the percentage or occurrences I was looking for. Must be insignificant if
they didn't mention it as a side effect and that was the point I was trying to
make :) Thanks again ,
socjog >

LakotaCo

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Sep 17, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/17/99
to
socjog-

I've contacted the endocrinologist my Mom goes to (who I think is the very best
of all her docs) for T-3/T-4 and any other tests. Thanks. Jan

Elf marge

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Sep 17, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/17/99
to
Dr Susan,
Yes you are right! <g> Minocycline has no role in thyroid disease.

Also, to test for hasimotos, is it the Thyroid antibody we need tested as
that should be my next step.
What I found fascinating is that from age 18 to 30 I was on Cytomael. When they
switched me to synthyroid, I did not do as well and they took me off.
shorthly thereafter, at age 32 I found myself in the RD's office..
Is that coincidence?
Thanks
Marge
Marge

ho...@auhs.edu

unread,
Sep 17, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/17/99
to Elf marge
On 17 Sep 1999, Elf marge wrote:

> Also, to test for hasimotos, is it the Thyroid antibody we need tested as
> that should be my next step.

Dr Susan wrote:

Hi Marge. Yes, you are right. In Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a form of
autoimmune thyroiditis, patients commonly make antibodies to thyroid
microsomes as well as to thyroglobulin. It is thought that the antibodies
bind to the thyroid and initiate inflammation. The other kind of
autoimmune thyroid disease, Graves' disease is characterized by a
different kind of autoantibody. This one to the TSH receptor (thyroid
stimulating hormone) on the thyroid cells. The Graves antibody binds to
the receptor and stimulates the thyroid cells just as an excessive amount
of TSH would. Therefore Graves is an autoimmune thyroid problem which
usually results in hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone). In
contrast, most patients with
Hasimoto's thyroiditis usually present with hypothyroidism (too little
thyroid hormone) because of interference with hormone production by
inflammation
and glandular destruction.

The fact that these are antibody related autoimmune diseases makes
it somewhat logical that they track with other autoimmune diseases such as
lupus, RA etc. In all these diseases, the defect is somewhere in the
immune's system's inability to differentiate self from foreign.

> What I found fascinating is that from age 18 to 30 I was on Cytomael.

Cytomel is T3.

>When they
> switched me to synthyroid

Synthroid is T4

>, I did not do as well and they took me off.

Off completely. How could that be? You were still presumably
hypothyroid.

> shorthly thereafter, at age 32 I found myself in the RD's office..
> Is that coincidence?

I tend to think it is both coincidence as well as you reaching a prime age
for RA -

Dr Susan
ho...@auhs.edu

Liz G.

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Sep 17, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/17/99
to

ho...@auhs.edu wrote in message ...

> And, as far as I know, minocycline has no role in the treatment of
>hypothyroidism <g>.

LOL! Dr Susan, this discussion of pigmentation and minocycline and
thyroid made me think of something I heard, that in patients on minocycline,
sometimes dark splotches were found on the thyroid. I cannot remember where
I heard this, but was wondering if you knew anything about it, what might
cause it and if it would be related to minocycline use, autoimmune disease,
or other thyroid problems. Liz G

Elf marge

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Sep 19, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/19/99
to
Hi
Yes, would you believe off completely after 12 yrs with treament.
Those were the days when i was younger and unquestioning.
Since, my thyroid tests come out really strnge and they are reluctant to begin
me on therapy.
Marge
Marge

Soc Jog

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Sep 21, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/21/99
to
Hi Jan,
Oh good luck at least it will be good to rule it out if for no other reason!!
Please keep us posted regards,
socjog

LakotaCo

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Sep 21, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/21/99
to
>contacted the endocrinologist

socjog-

Appt. for 12/20. Probably find out I'm normal. Jan

KrissyJo

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Sep 21, 1999, 3:00:00 AM9/21/99
to
>Appt. for 12/20. Probably find out I'm normal.

Normal?? What a horrible thing to be!!! I would hate to be normal! <beg>

gkra...@gmail.com

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Apr 18, 2013, 7:24:49 AM4/18/13
to
i,

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Apr 24, 2013, 2:23:15 AM4/24/13
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May 7, 2013, 8:29:25 AM5/7/13
to
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Donna G

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May 8, 2013, 12:40:35 PM5/8/13
to


.
.
Donna G.
.

1) Rejoice always, Pray continually, Give thanks in all circumstances,
For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. ( I Thessalonians
5:16-18 NIV )

2) It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.
- Edmund Hillary

3) ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we
call them FRIENDS......

Diane Meng

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May 8, 2013, 1:15:20 PM5/8/13
to
Thank you Donna. Hope you're having a good day. :-)

Gentle hugs,

Diane

"Donna G" wrote in message
news:2076-518...@storefull-3173.bay.webtv.net...

hamza...@gmail.com

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Jan 8, 2015, 11:50:06 PM1/8/15
to
Pigment Changes
There are various types pigment . Common cause of pigment is Liver Spots ( Lentigo ), Melasma , seborrheic keratoses and freckles. Before recommends cosmetic treatment of this, it is important first to an examination of the dermatologist. After an investigation, we have the opportunity to recommend the topical treatment depends on the cause. Topical treatments for pigmentation changes are:

Laser treatment
Prescription creams
Peels
Freezing Treatment
Kurettage (scraping)

See more at:-> http://www.oslohudlegesenter.no/behandlinger-hudlege-pigmentforandringer.html
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hamza...@gmail.com

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Jan 8, 2015, 11:51:02 PM1/8/15
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