Glad to hear you're getting answers aussiegirl, and at the same time understand how you feel about the drugs.
I've been taking the Celebrex now for about 6 months. While it sometimes takes the edge off the pain, I don't particularly find it all that helpful. Now, on a really bad pain day, a little 'edge off' is better than nothing.
I haven't had much in the way of stomach/gastro issues as a result of the Celebrex (there was some pre-existing gastro stuff with me), but I do have a handy script for prilosec as needed. My rheumy seems to be quite comfortable with the drug and it's side effects related to heart disease, and I trust him, so I plug along. (Now, next visit I'll be gunning for other/additional solutions for my pain as it seems only to be getting worse, and taking the edge off is hardly enough some days.)
None of this is to say that the Celebrex wont do wonders for you, but thought I'd add my 2 cents worth. As scary as the drugs seem, I wonder what being pain free or pain reduced, at the very least, might be like.
It's a balancing act I guess....and as far as the 'being a pain' goes...we're all a pain, we're all in pain. This place is where we are allowed to BE. So don't apologize. You'll return the favour and listen to us moan too, I'm sure.
Here's wishing you many better days ahead.
PT
