topic Re: ANyone use Celebrex in Wellness

ANyone use Celebrex

hondagirl — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 13:26:33 GMT

Went to the doctor two weeks ago for some sudden joint pain (hands and feet). Could have been related to the heat we have been having but can't say. Celebrex was to be taken for two weeks and then call doctor with results. The meds did help but feeling not myself and some diarrhea...Don't want to take this med long term and want to know if anyone has any info regarding Celebrex...Would like to take something else or nothing at all...Miss my wine at dinner and can't drink with this... Any suggestions?

Re: ANyone use Celebrex

millieshops — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 13:43:26 GMT

@hondagirlI have no suggestions. I took Celebrex years ago. Had a script because of some intense foot pain - and the Celebrex relieved that and every other pain I'd ever felt! That was the good news.

The bad news was that this all went on just before Celebrex was removed from the market for a while and I couldn't get another script. I haven't done any reading about it since that time, and I actually forget why it was removed from the market. I'm thinking heart complications, but I shouldn't say. I should just read.

Hope you find something that relieves pain as well as the Celebrex did for me. Please let us know if you do.

Re: ANyone use Celebrex

matisse — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 13:49:30 GMT

I took Celebrex for a while. It was very effective. However, it has some dangerous side effects. It can have a serious effect on the heart. I love the way I felt when I took it but staying alive was much more important!

Re: ANyone use Celebrex

twinkies — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 14:01:31 GMT

Clebrex was a "b;lack box" med as it was called because it was taken off the market for causing Heart attacks , Anyone with an arrythmia ,fast heart rate,or Atrial fib should not take this as it can cause fatal heart attacks, It does work well as a pain reliever and I have been on it [and shouldn't have been ] because I have an arrythmia , I told the doctor that I ws going to stop taking it and he had to give me something else , This was before they took it off the market and It was not really nown about its detrimental effects on the heart because it does speed up your heart rate , be careful with this med , Beware , I am wondering why it still on the market,

cathy from ma

Re: ANyone use Celebrex

q-girl — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 14:37:29 GMT

Can I ask: when was Celebrex taken off the market? I have been taking Celebrex since 2003, and it has been continuously available since then. Are you sure you do not mean a similar medication called Vioxx ? I was originally placed on Vioxx but after a couple of months complained to my doc about not feeling "right" on it. He switched me to Celebrex. It was a few months later that Vioxx was taken off the market.

Re: ANyone use Celebrex

hoosieroriginal — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 14:44:59 GMT

Not sure why this med was ever put back on the market with all side effects. I couldn't take something like that - just me though. I know some people are in such pain they are willing to do anything to relieve it. I'd rather be healthy and in pain. I'm sure there is something better for you your dr could prescribe.

Re: ANyone use Celebrex

q-girl — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 15:05:29 GMT

@hoosieroriginal wrote:
Not sure why this med was ever put back on the market with all side effects. I couldn't take something like that - just me though. I know some people are in such pain they are willing to do anything to relieve it. I'd rather be healthy and in pain. I'm sure there is something better for you your dr could prescribe.

According to WebMD, both Vioxx (in 2004) and Bextra (in 2005) were pulled off the market. Celebrex, however, was allowed to remain on the market with the black box warning. At the same time, all NSAIDS were were made to carry varying degrees of warnings concerning their dangers, including Ibuprofen, though OTC meds were not black box warnings. These meds were not perceived as being taken in high doses for extended periods of time.

I have an excellent pain management physician. After weaning me from several high dose narcotics which had been prescribed by a previous physician, and placing me on medicinal marijuana ( a wonderful life changing lozenge that dissolves under my tongue!) she decided it was time to wean me off the Celebrex. I was on high dose - 200mg 2xday - for 14 years. Surprisingly, that was infinitely more difficult to wean from than any of the narcotic pain meds. She ultimately, with the approval of my primary care physician, had to put me back on one Celebrex per day. We are going to try a supplement that may be able to help replace the Celebrex, but it takes 30 - 60 days to build up levels in your system. I feel blessed and lucky that I have no bad side effects from the Celebrex considering my somewhat extensive history with it.

Re: ANyone use Celebrex

DrKelli — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 15:09:38 GMT

I took Celebrex when Bextra was taken off the market. The Bextra worked very well. The celebrex was okay and when my prescription ran out--I just switched to ibuprofen when my arthritis flared.

Re: ANyone use Celebrex

hckynut — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 15:36:36 GMT

@hondagirl

I took Celebrex for a few years mainly for my osteoarthritis in 3 fingers on both hands. I had no side effects whatsoever. My friend, who is also 1 of my 2 Orthopedic Doctors, prescribed it for me. I had to have blood drawn tests, for either kidney and/or liver function, done every 3 months while taking it.

Since I had 2 heart attacks and then read about a similar med called Vioxx, was taken off the market because of causing heart valve problems, I thought I should quit taking Celebrex.

Spoke with my doctor friend and he agreed as long as I could get along and deal with my finger issues in another way. I did what we felt was the right thing for me, and I stopped taking Celebrex.

Because of my later Colon bleeding issues I no longer take any type of Anti-inflammatory or NSAID meds. My only safe go to med for years now has been Acetaminophen/Tylenol. It does little for my arthritic riddled body, but for me I choose pain over Colon bleeding and any unnecessary risks to my twice damaged heart.

My suggestion would be to read as much as you can about Celebrex/talk with your doctor, and make the decision that is best for you personally.

hckynut(john)

Re: ANyone use Celebrex

q-girl — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 16:02:23 GMT

@hckynut wrote:

@hondagirl

I took Celebrex for a few years mainly for my osteoarthritis in 3 fingers on both hands. I had no side effects whatsoever. My friend, who is also 1 of my 2 Orthopedic Doctors, prescribed it for me. I had to have blood drawn tests, for either kidney and/or liver function, done every 3 months while taking it.

Since I had 2 heart attacks and then read about a similar med called Vioxx, was taken off the market because of causing heart valve problems, I thought I should quit taking Celebrex.

Spoke with my doctor friend and he agreed as long as I could get along and deal with my finger issues in another way. I did what we felt was the right thing for me, and I stopped taking Celebrex.

Because of my later Colon bleeding issues I no longer take any type of Anti-inflammatory or NSAID meds. My only safe go to med for years now has been Acetaminophen/Tylenol. It does little for my arthritic riddled body, but for me I choose pain over Colon bleeding and any unnecessary risks to my twice damaged heart.

My suggestion would be to read as much as you can about Celebrex/talk with your doctor, and make the decision that is best for you personally.

hckynut(john)

@hckynut Again, a very thoughtful and personal post. Understand, my response is in no way to challenge you, or is it directed at you. I respect your choice tolerate pain rather than further jeopardize your health. I have been a chronic pain patient for close to twenty years. At no time has my goal, my expectation or my result been a pain free life, but merely a level of discomfort that I could live with. I've learned much about the patient's role in this, namely positioning yourself in the least painful way, moving to prevent stiffness, use of heat and ice, and use of the many, many distraction techniques available (like thus forum ! ) available these days. Most importantly is your own attitude about the situation you are in and the acceptance of it, and how you choose to handle it.

That being said, when the pain level prevents you from living your normal (whatever your own "normal" may be) life, or rises to an unbearable level, treatment is sought. I fought like H*££ to tolerate staying off the Celebrex. I would have done just about anything not to return to the med, but I could not tolerate what was happening to me. I cannot tolerate Ibuprofen, Tylenol was not helping, and my docs felt that one Celebrex per day was, at this time, the best option for me.

Good to see you posting here.

Hugs . . .

Re: ANyone use Celebrex

luvsopals — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 18:29:21 GMT

I have been taking Celebrex for about 15+ years. I am almost 63 years old & have been battling with arthritis since my mid-40's.

There are so many pros & cons. Last year, it was reported that Celebrex was not more likely to cause heart risks than other NSAIDS. Who knows what further studies will bring?

I am not pain- free, but I will say that without Celebrex I would be unable to function. I learned this the hard way when I need cervical fusion & had to stay off Celebrex & all other NSAIDS for 3 months post surgery. Seriously, I couldn't even sit on the toilet. Tylenol just wasn't cutting it! I begged my surgeon to let me start my Celebrex just one week before the 3 months ended, but he would not allow me to. Once I went back on Celebrex, I was functioning again.

I go for cardio evaluations every 5-6 years just to make sure. So far, so go. Other than being overweight, I'm in great shape. I also take care of my 2 grandchildren...2 & 5 years old. I need a good 24-48 hours to recuperate, but I'm still functioning.

My advice is talk to your doctor & voice all your concerns. You need to feel comfortable about any medicine you take. They all have risks & side effects, but sometimes, the benefits are worth the risk. Even Tylenol has risks.

Wishing you all the best xoxo

Re: ANyone use Celebrex

q-girl — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 18:48:29 GMT

@luvsopals wrote:
I have been taking Celebrex for about 15+ years. I am almost 63 years old & have been battling with arthritis since my mid-40's.

There are so many pros & cons. Last year, it was reported that Celebrex was not more likely to cause heart risks than other NSAIDS. Who knows what further studies will bring?

I am not pain- free, but I will say that without Celebrex I would be unable to function. I learned this the hard way when I need cervical fusion & had to stay off Celebrex & all other NSAIDS for 3 months post surgery. Seriously, I couldn't even sit on the toilet. Tylenol just wasn't cutting it! I begged my surgeon to let me start my Celebrex just one week before the 3 months ended, but he would not allow me to. Once I went back on Celebrex, I was functioning again.

I go for cardio evaluations every 5-6 years just to make sure. So far, so go. Other than being overweight, I'm in great shape. I also take care of my 2 grandchildren...2 & 5 years old. I need a good 24-48 hours to recuperate, but I'm still functioning.

My advice is talk to your doctor & voice all your concerns. You need to feel comfortable about any medicine you take. They all have risks & side effects, but sometimes, the benefits are worth the risk. Even Tylenol has risks.

Wishing you all the best xoxo

@luvsopals I understand completely. No Celebrex equals no functioning. PERIOD. Glad you are monitoring and continue your good health, other than aches and pains. I am in the same boat. Take good care of you.

Hugs

Re: ANyone use Celebrex

meem120 — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 19:20:05 GMT

Ive been taking Celebrex since 2004. It does wonders for me and I wouldnt be without it. It has never been taken off the market. That was a similiar drug called Vioxx.

Re: ANyone use Celebrex

Lipstickdiva — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 19:25:50 GMT

I was prescribed Celebrex 2 years ago when I was diagnosed with frozen shoulder. It honestly didn't do a thing for that.

At that same time I started having other issues like a very heavy feeling in my chest and ended up going through a battery of tests for my heart.

I wouldn't say the Celebrex alone caused that issue. I had a lot going on that year between a surgery, then medications for my horrible shoulder issue before being diagnosed with frozen shoulder and multiple other meds trying to alleviate the pain. I think all the meds, including the Celebrex caused me major issues.

As far as why it's on the market, if you looked at the side effects for an aspirin, you'd probably never take it. Everythng has the potential for side effects.

Re: ANyone use Celebrex

Big Sister — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 04:00:51 GMT

@hondagirl I have not used Celebrex but my little sister had. She went into shock and couldn't breathe well. I took her to the ER. I would not use it myself.

Re: ANyone use Celebrex

SurferWife — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 04:13:50 GMT

I take it when my wrists start hurting. I work in IT and am on a computer all day. Some days I'm okay, but others...as soon as I get off work I take one. I love Celebrex and will continue to take it when I have a flare-up. I don't seem to notice any side effects, e.g., diarreah.

Re: ANyone use Celebrex

hckynut — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 17:02:23 GMT

@q-girl wrote:

@hckynut Again, a very thoughtful and personal post. Understand, my response is in no way to challenge you, or is it directed at you. I respect your choice tolerate pain rather than further jeopardize your health. I have been a chronic pain patient for close to twenty years. At no time has my goal, my expectation or my result been a pain free life, but merely a level of discomfort that I could live with. I've learned much about the patient's role in this, namely positioning yourself in the least painful way, moving to prevent stiffness, use of heat and ice, and use of the many, many distraction techniques available (like thus forum ! ) available these days. Most importantly is your own attitude about the situation you are in and the acceptance of it, and how you choose to handle it.

That being said, when the pain level prevents you from living your normal (whatever your own "normal" may be) life, or rises to an unbearable level, treatment is sought. I fought like H*££ to tolerate staying off the Celebrex. I would have done just about anything not to return to the med, but I could not tolerate what was happening to me. I cannot tolerate Ibuprofen, Tylenol was not helping, and my docs felt that one Celebrex per day was, at this time, the best option for me.

Good to see you posting here.

Hugs . . .

@q-girl,

It is never good when I read about people that have been dealing with pain for years. I know a bit about this as my nephew is a doctor(Anesthesiologist) and at last count owns 5 Pain Clinics. Of these 2 are in our city/1 in our state/1 in California, and 1 in South Korea.

I've talked with him on several occasions about people with chronic pain many times. He has always told me there is no 1 med or treatment that will work for everyone, nor the same with side effects and risk factors. Then he says there is always each individual patient's pain threshold level.

I have have had(still do) several issues with my spine going back to hurting my back making money shoveling snow from driveways back before my teen years. Hurt my back then and coupled with my choice of sports I played, and working on race cars, and my 30+ years of lifting reels of telephone wire of 60-80lbs, hence my problems.

Have had 3 crushed vertebrae in my neck since the 1990's. Had major back surgery to remove my L-5/S-1 ruptured discs and in around 2006, another back surgery to remove a ruptured L-3 disc. My fingers were just the part that I was concerned with when I chose to take Celebrex.

I have slept in a recliner chair for going on 30 years now because of my back problems, and 1 of my real good friends is a Spinal Specialist at our State Spine Hospital. He removed my L-3 and has no answers as to why I cannot sleep lying in any type of bed, and I have tried most of them.

Have always been what many call a "health and fitness nut". I made my own exercises I could do at work during breaks and lunch(and this was the lifting those heavy reels). My main priorities were always flexibility/muscle strength, and doing lots of cardio after work. In the winter I would Referee maybe 20 hockey games each week, after I got off of work. Spring/Summer and Fall, run 25-30 miles every week.

Don't see anything you said as "challenging me", quite the opposite. We both are saying the same things, just from a different perspective. The human body is as individual as a leaf falling from a tree or a snowflake falling in the winter. The bodies my be similar in looks, but each one is unique, and I wish more people understood this.

My normal? Right now since I am in top physical conditioning and able to do any workout I choose, including now, my ice skating for close to 2 hours, that is my type of normal for me. Days I don't skate I try to do cardio at least 1 hour a day/resistance every other day/stretching half hour after each workout/10-15 minutes of abdominal exercises 7 days a week. Now I use my Teeter Inversion Table every single day for varying amounts of time, a certain amount at Full Inversion.

It has been at least 10 years since I was at "this-my normal". Lung blood clots/ heart attacks/ bleeding colon/anemia, any several other medical issues that prevented or slowed me down reaching "my normal". Were not easy times getting halfway there, then boom, colon bleeding or heart attack, and back to square 1 again in my quest to reach "my normal" (the above paragraph).

You do what works for "your normal" as much as you possibly can at each present time. Whatever makes your day better is a good thing. I have always believed in living in the day, not the past or too far into the future. Each day is the important day when it comes to living one's life, and my wish is for you to have as many of those less painful days as possible.

You, like myself are an optimist, we always have hope and keep doing what we can do, when we can do it. Take good care of yourself now,

hckynut(john)

Re: ANyone use Celebrex

Moonchilde — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 22:31:40 GMT

I was prescribed Celebrex for musculoskeletal pain that wasn't responding all that well to NSAIDs. I took it for maybe 6 months, and although it worked, I didn't feel it worked spectacularly better than NSAIDs. But I feel it did give me palpitations/skipped beats - and when the warnings came out I flat stopped it. For me, it wasn't SO much better than NSAIDs that I would keep taking it.

Re: ANyone use Celebrex

twinkies — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 13:45:50 GMT

Celebrex was taken off the market many years ago , I am not sure of the exact year but maybe 10 years ago , It was off for a while and then the fda decided it was safe enough to put back on the markey with warnings about the heart , I was on it for a while and had many prblems , so I stopped taking it , Celebrex caused a heart attacks and some deaths in those who had atrial fib and other arrthymias , You can look it up on "black box warnng s'for Celebrex.

cathy from ma