I suffered a full relapse of Sarcoidosis after coming off the Predinsone, a drug that I sworn never to go on again unless my life in imminently threatened. The the risk of very severe side effects is just too great - these include avascular necrosis (which can destroy your joints very quickly), diabetes, psychosis and cataracts. The documented harmful side-effects cover several pages of text whereas the benefits fit neatly into one paragraph.

Prednisone is not FDA approved for the treatment of Sarcoidosis and there is no research whatsoever showing any long term benefits. This was confirmed by my physician when I confronted him and he admitted to  me that he has never believed in the benefits of treating Sarc with Prednisone but he has been unaware of any real alternative. Prednisone only masks the symptoms and the doctors keep their fingers crossed hoping that the Sarc will go away on its own while patients are taking the steroid.

True, the x-rays clear, the cough disappears, you do initially feel an intense euphoria  and sense of well being (you get a real energy boost and training is a breeze as you feel that your fitness has returned completely), but it is all short-lived.

According to Trevor Marshall's research, the prednisone allows the mico-bacteria to multiply unhindered which means that the Sarc will return with a vengeance - sometimes this takes time but it has certainly been so in my case.

According to Marshall, there are three common myths about Sarcoidosis:

1. It is uncommon - it isn't.

2. It can go away on its own - it never goes away on its own unless you treat the cause - the mico-bacteria.

3. It is rarely fatal - not quite true.

The Marshall Protocol involves the use of low intermittent doses of antibiotics, starting with Minocycline in incrementing doses up to 100mg every other day. When you can take this dose with out suffering so much "Herx", you then add small doses of Azithromyacin increasing to 250mg every 8-days. When this produces little "Herx", you then add Batrum.

Three weeks ago, I started adding the Azithromyacin. I am still suffering quite powerful "Herx" symptoms which include very severe fatigue, flu' like symptoms, headaches and an unbelievable cough. It is not like the unproductive dry cough of Sarcoidosis - in fact, I am now developing self defence techniques involving coughing extreme amounts of phlegm into an aggressor's face :-).

This has resulted in a total intolerance to any form of exercise and in a way the treatment is worse than the actual disease.

But this is all now from the "Herx" and  not from the Sarcoidosis. The simple test is to take a treatment holiday of a week or so, and all the symptoms are gone, only to return when treatment is resumed.

But, my X-rays are now clear; my lung volumes and spiromety tests are better than at any time since diagnosis. Gone is the insomnia, gone are the concentration difficulties, gone is the memory loss, gone is the irritability and gone is any hint of kidney stones.

As a result, my GP and my physician are now looking on with a very keen interest and are taking this protocol very much more seriously.

I feel as if I have at last taken charge of my own recovery and I am now certain that I am addressing the cause of this horrible disease.

It may take another year to 18-months, but I am now very confident of a complete cure and a return to a full training schedule - I am very very happy about this.