Guest guest Posted July 29, 2003 Report Share Posted July 29, 2003 Janet, The research is clear that for some people there is a dose related increase in hypertension with Vioxx. If you haven't tried Bextra yet, the newest of the 2's, which has been out over a year now, it may be worth asking your MD about. Blood pressure increases with Bextra are not as common and its very specific for the 2 enzyme. Hope this helps, Dave in NC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2003 Report Share Posted July 29, 2003 Hi to all at RISG Re janet's email I was taking Vioxx for six months or so during 2002. I have never had blood pressure problems but I was feeling really lousy one day (not normal AS feelings) and went to see my doctor. She took my blood pressure and almost had a fit. She ordered me off work and told me to come back next day. The blood pressure was still high. She sent me to the cardiac unit at the local hospital and I had a monitoring unit fitted for 24 hours or so, which was great fun. Everyone was puzzled because I've never had blood pressure problems. She decided to inform my Rheumy about the problems and he phoned me and said I was to discontinue the Vioxx. I am now taking Celebrex. Sometimes it is a matter of finding (approximating) our way towards a drug that might work with me or you but perhaps not with other people. I don't know how you are managing on a reduced dose of Vioxx. I sometimes wish I could have Indomethacin again but I am now prohibited from having that. In the UK's National Health Service - something I do support- it is difficult to get anti-tnf treatment because of the cost. So, I take Celebrex - until that raises some problems - Tramadol, Dothiepin (I don't know what this is called in US) an anti-depressant that is used to relax muscles and help with sleep at night, Omeprazole (Losec). Isn't it odd, despite the claims of 2, that I still have to take Omeprazole on a regular basis. I would like to know if anyone else has to do the same. Many regards and apologies for not writing of late, in London Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2003 Report Share Posted July 29, 2003 Dear Janet, I had to eliminate Arava which I took at night for pain and stiffness. I continued on the Vioxx in the morning. I sympathize with you. You are relating exactly how I felt and still feel a lot of the time. I have found that water exercise....going to the local recreation department's class of " aquanautics " has increased my strength and flexibility. I feel a lot better after the class. It is only $3 a session so I will continue as long as the weather is not freezing! Thanks again for your help with the Enbrel appeal. Just wish the medicine worked for me and was side effect free! I guess that is a wish we all have with whatever we are taking! Debby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2003 Report Share Posted July 29, 2003 My daughter, who is only 22 developed high blood pressure while taking Celebrex for a herniated disc in her back. She has a history of kidney infections as a infant/toddler that made her very ill. She had surgery to correct to cause of the infections when she was 4. We were told she would be at risk for high blood pressure as she got older. We blamed her medical history for the high blood pressure. However now that she is not taking Celebrex, she no longer has high blood pressure. She also had problems with asthma which she had not had previously. Kay Braddock Speedway German Wirehaired Pointers Paint Horses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2003 Report Share Posted July 29, 2003 Thanks, Dave. I tried Bexta last summer and it just didn't work as well for me as Vioxx. That's the frustrating thing, I've never found anything as effective as Vioxx. Although I was more flared up last summer, so it might be worth trying again. The next time I see my doc. I will ask him for samples of Bextra. Last summer, he had boxes and boxes. I wonder if he'd let me take Vioxx and Bextra. Probably not. Regards, Janet in SF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2003 Report Share Posted July 29, 2003 Kay, That's very interesting. Can I ask what does your daughter do for pain now that she's not taking Celebrex? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2003 Report Share Posted July 29, 2003 in London, Thanks for sharing your experience. I guess Vioxx can be really dangerous. I'm glad my rheumatologist caught it before my blood pressure got dangerously high. It's interesting how we go through such similar things on different continents. I'm having a hard time with the lower dose of Vioxx. I'm having a lot more pain in my knees. When I call my rheumy to find out about my blood work, I will tell him and ask what we can do. I've never tried Celebrex. I'm on Vioxx and prednisone, and I also take Prilosec and Zantac for the heartburn. I think the Prilosec is similar to what you take for heartburn. I think my heartburn is mostly from the prednisone, because I wasn't on Prilosec or Zantac before I started taking prednisone. Regards, Janet in SF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2003 Report Share Posted July 29, 2003 Hi, Janet and All, My name is Dianne. I am new to your group. At this time, I am not (yet?) diagnosed with AS, but do have Lupus SLE, and RA (Rheumatoid Arthritic) along with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Three auto-immune disorders. Yuck! The problem is that there is more going on with me and my doctors are working with me to find answers. The Thyroid is now managed with Armour Thyroid and the results have been pretty good -- not great. Because RA and Lupus both " Flare " unpredictably, so my doctor started me on Celebrex 100 mg per day over a year and a half ago. There has been some elevation in my BP, but since is was quite low before, the elevation only took me to " normal " . When the pain becomes really nasty, I have a prescription for Darvocet to take, but at the same time, I raise the Celebrex dose by doubling it. If those two together do not handle things, then I call the doctor and let him decide what to do. He has had me go as high as 600 mg per day on the Celebrex, but only for 48 hours -- tops. I monitor my BP at home and there have been no further rises. Medications are not a " one size fits all " thing, which defies what the television ads would have us believe..... Dianne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 30, 2003 Report Share Posted July 30, 2003 Yes, I too thought Vioxx was reasonable good as an anti-inflammatory but it did not work for me because of the blood pressure problem. However, I don't think a reduced dose is a viable alternative because the inflammation will increase and that leads to problems in the joints, not just increased pain. I hope you do get a useful alternative. Regards in London --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.504 / Virus Database: 302 - Release Date: 24/07/2003 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 30, 2003 Report Share Posted July 30, 2003 Thanks for the input, Dianne. It sounds like you have a really good doctor. I will call my rheumatologist today and tell him the problems lowering the Vioxx are causing me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 30, 2003 Report Share Posted July 30, 2003 Hi, Janet, Well, I think my doctor is terrific. I let him know that he is appreciated, too. Let us know how you end up handling this situation with the Vioxx. Dianne ----- Original Message ----- From: " , Janet " <jturner@...> > Thanks for the input, Dianne. It sounds like you have a really good doctor. > I will call my rheumatologist today and tell him the problems lowering the > Vioxx are causing me. > > --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.505 / Virus Database: 302 - Release Date: 7/30/03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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