Patient Advocacy: How One Person's Research Led to Remission from Debilitating Illness
In medicine, there are many unknowns and patients often find themselves as their own advocates, doing their own research to find alternative treatments. One such patient, who was diagnosed with debilitating pulmonary sarcoidosis, found relief after researching the “immuno-modulating” effects of broad-spectrum antibiotics, specifically minocycline. Despite resistance from their pulmonologist, the patient convinced them to try the low-risk treatment, which resulted in remission within a month. The patient’s story highlights an important lesson for those struggling with autoimmune diseases - don’t be afraid to do your own research and ask your doctor to try alternative treatments if standard ones aren’t working. While doctors do their best to diagnose and treat each patient, the reality is that every patient is different and may require a unique treatment plan.