Celebrex

[dshobbies]

I've been taking this drug for 6 years now and have tried to get off of it several times. Recently, I decided to try again. First I took it every other day, then every 3rd day and stopped taking it altogether 2 weeks ago.

My pain definitely increased, especially in bed at night, I simply could not get comfortable. I don't do well lying down. But I was hanging on, hoping it wouldn't get worse but then again, we all hope for the best.

Last night, my left ankle so sensative the slightest touch hurts, both my feet burning - my right foot started tingling, then pins and needles and then lightening bolts of pain piercing my outer foot to the inside, repeatedly, several times a minute. No position changed this pain. Walking relieved it only slightly. At 3am I'm probably not thinking all that clearly anyway but it took another hour before I reached for the Celebrex.

I have never had an experience like when this medication took hold. I could actually feel it washing over me as it started at the top of my thigh and gently but quickly, trickled down my whole leg until all the pain stopped.

As much as I fear this drug, this morning I am once again much more comfortable. My ankle is still sensative but I don't need to protect it. My feet still burn but I'm not aware of it all the time. I know Celebrex is not good for me, especially long term and as I get older but I see no other alternative.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Dale

[Maria]

Dale,
I took Vioxx for awhile which was excellent for my arthritic type of pain altho it caused such a tight feeling in my chest I had to stop taking it (sadly).

The way you describe the relief from the pain is the way I felt back in about 2005 when I tried to stop taking Neurontin and oh did I ever spend a terrible July 4th that year. I was at the beach and the pain just kept getting worse and worse (in my legs) with that gnawing burning cramping pain.

Finally the next day I took the Neurontin again and OMG.. the relief was near instant or so it seemed. I never thought I was going to be able to stop taking this drug...

Anyway, Celebrex is a Cox 2 inhibitor as I recall? I have had it offered to me a number of times since I cannot take Vioxx but since it has a sulfa component I cannot take it.

Your pain in the feet sounds neuropathic in nature but the pain that is zapping and like bolt of lightening doesn't. I have had that in the past as well but I think between the Methadone, Neurontin and ESIs that pain got under control and actually "stopped" as did the burning neuropathies of many years.

I hope someone that actually answers your question will reply tho I did wonder if the pain was more arthritic in nature (as with the swelling you mentioned) or neuropathic or a mix sort of ???

[dshobbies]

Well I've been back on Celebrex for 2 days and my pain is controlled once again. Actually the lightening bolts in a nerve pain. My pm explained it to me when my left leg was doing it's thing but I was on N at the time and barely remembered my name.

With too many people needing this type of drug for various reasons, you'd think something safer would be available. If I have come to accept this disability within myself, surely there should be a drug to help without causing harm! Just a little rant to vent my anger - forgive me.

OMG, I just looked outside and it's raining! Now my asthma will go into high gear too!

BTW, I hope no one was affected by that blackout the other night. It was hot.

[jsewell]

Dale, i have been on percocet for 3 years now and that is not a good thing either. i'm sorry you had such a horrible time when you tried to quit.
glad you are in less pain now,
judy

[mmglobal]

Getting old sucks. Diane and I both notice that when we ruduce the NSAIDS... it's not just our spine issues that get worse, but also our knees, ankles, ect...

She's 3.5 years post-op from her L4-5-S1 ProDisc and has always been off all pain meds, but sometimes on NSAIDS. In the last year or year and a half, she says her lumbar problems are almost 100% gone. But she does have cervical issues that don't rise anywhere near the level of having surgery.

I have had short stints off the NSAIDS, but rarely last too long. I had many years on Voltaren, a brief period on Celebrex, but have been on Mobic for > a year. I have to knock it off for a week before my upcoming ESI, and don't look forward to it!

Good luck... talk to you soon.

Mark

[cherylstewart67]

with controlled use it should not hurt to take celebrex. i take 200 mg daily with breakfast; so far so good.

[dshobbies]

For me, so far so good. I worry about the longer term effects, specifically, strokes and heart attacks. These known side effects would not be a factor if I no longer took the drug and though nothing may ever happen, I still worry.