Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Vioxx??

Be sure to monitor your blood pressure!!!! I was on Celebrex, it was marginally effective but it sent my BP to dangerously high levels. Vioxx can do the same thing. So can Bextra. So can a lot of the other NSAIDS. Just read an article that claimed that up to a third of the people with high BP in the US might have it because of the use of NSAIDS. And remember that Vioxx is not a magic new NSAID, it's usually no more effective than any ibuprofen type med, but it makes the dubious claim of being easier on the digestive tract, and the jury is still out on that one.

Cheryl

If you can't be a good example you'll just have to serve as a horrible warning.
Jennifer Cruisie

Dogs don't care how much money you make

Hi Martin,

In case you're interested I'll try to explain the claims that the new NSAIDs Vioxx and Celebrex (and to some extent Mobic) have to being more gentle on the stomach.

We all of us have something called prostaglandins which have two basic purposes. 1) They protect our stomach lining and 2) they control our inflammatory response.

NSAIDs reduce inflammation by suppressing these prostaglandins. It's easy to see from the above that in the process of suppressing prostaglandins to reduce inflammation they leave our stomach lining vulnerable.

So these new types of NSAIDs were developed that in theory only suppressed those prostaglandins responsible for the inflammatory response (Cox-2) thereby leaving our stomach linings in tact.

Mobic is the least Cox-2 selective of these three new NSAIDS, Celebrex is quite selective, and Vioxx the most selective, so much so that it can claim to be Cox-2 specific.

Great theory, but a lot of people still find that they suffer GI problems even on these new drugs.

I've tried all three. Mobic was fairly good but not as effective as Celebrex, which I'm still taking, and the best one for me, because unfortunately Vioxx sent me into depression.

This all a bit simplistic, and not very scientific, but it gives you the general idea.

Cheers,

     Loz



"Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people." William Butler Yeats (1865 - 1939)

Hi there,

I have tried Vioxx also. At first I noticed a difference in pain levels and stiffness, but it didnt last long.
After about 3-4 months of sparse use, it started to affect my stomach lining badly, so I had to stop. I got quite sick.



Amber

Hi Allison,

Its funny you mention your ankles.
At the same time I had begun Vioxx my ankles were incredibly painful (especially the left one), and swollen alot of the time.
I remember days of being laid up with a bag of frozen peas stuck to my ankles ..........




Amber

Had that on some of the others esp feledene and brufen

big red purple joints spontaneous! areas of red skin on leg muscles.....

Martin,

the problem is...we are all different. What works for one doesn't work for someone else.

If you are contemplating taking Vioxx, all the advice in the world don't mean diddley,
you're the test case, and if you don't try it you'll never know how you might respond.

the difficulty of the trial and error process is that we live with the errors...the 'meds'
ordeal is as taxing as the 'diagnosis' ordeal...and it's even harder if you feel like you're a fish
on dry land- thrashing around looking for water.

many, many people take the vile Vioxx with no problems and great results...i'm sure.
good luck
alohaben

Been on Vioxx for almost three years and it has worked great for me. I've recently developed some GI problems that may or may not be related to the drug so I've been taken off it (for now anyway).

Everyone reacts different to different medications. Trial and error seems to be the best way to find which med works best for you.


Steve

Hey Martin, I'm on vioxx too. Been on it since Octoberish and have just had my first bloodwork done to check my liver. I noticed an improvement in my range of motion more than anything. I can touch my chin to my chest again, bend sideways a bit more, breathe without feeling tight ribs, twist more fully, all of which had been progressively tighter over the previous six months. It's been quite good, actually.

I do notice a burning in my tummy periodically, generally if I have too much alcohol at any one sitting. One drink a month might be OK, but two drinks in one night and I'm gurgling. Thankfully, especially now that the show's closed, I don't generally drink.

Anyway, it may work for you, it may not. You won't know unless you try. Right?

Hugs,

Kat

I was on Vioxx for 2 years before I developed problems with it. I always had very low Blood Pressure. After 2 years, Vioxx raised the BP to 152/102. Went on BP meds for 11/2 years. After I DC the Vioxx, I was able to DC the BP med. BP is now 115/74 (no Vioxx, no BP med since Aug.)


Betty

i tried vioxx and it didnt work at all and we stuck with oxaprozin which is the nsaid that seems to work the best for me :)

tela



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