Re: Vioxx side effects question

[Guest guest]

I can only speak about MY experiences but after being on it for 2 years

plus....it is my saving grace. It has not given me stomach troubles and has

done nothing to my blood counts. My grandmother can't take it though because

it upsets her stomach and seems to effect her liver counts. When I wasn't on

MTX they only checked my bloodwork twice a year. MTX really had me screwy to

the point they monitored me every two weeks.

I ran out of Vioxx a month ago and after one missed dose I was laying in bed,

not able to move. It was an awful feeling! I certainly hope it works for

you as it does me. I am just waiting for the day when it may not work.

Shandi

In a message dated 10/31/2002 9:47:57 PM Eastern Standard Time,

jain_doe2001@... writes:

> Today was my first day taking vioxx and I was wondering if anyone

> here has taken it and what the long term side effects are. I know my

> pharmacist gave me a standard list about possible stomach upset,

> diareah (sp?) and drowsiness. My mother in law told me that she read

> an article in the Berkley health and wellness letter that vioxx and

> celebrex (sp?) can cause kidney and liver problems. She is going to

> dig around for the article but I was just wondering if anyone here

> has heard of this as well?

[Guest guest]

Hi Anne,

I took Vioxx for a couple of weeks a while ago. Unfortunately I had an

adverse reaction to it and had to discontinue. The reaction consisted of

severe lower leg swelling to the point that I could hardly wear pants because

they were tight from the swelling. That is my only experience with Vioxx.

Sorry I couldn't help more.

Love and Hugs

Stacey in PA

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Anne!

Here's the UC Berkeley Wellness Letter your MIL may be talking about

(although I didn't see the kidneys and liver mentioned):

http://www.berkeleywellness.com/html/wl/wlFeatured0902.html

Any NSAIDs, including COX-2 inhibitors like Celebrex and Vioxx, can

damage the kidneys or liver. I think it's too early to tell whether

COX-2s pose more or less risk than traditional NSAIDs to those organs.

Here's a good, general summary from aHealthyMe/Blue Cross Blue Shield

about many of the meds taken by those with RA:

http://www.ahealthyme.com/topic/arthmeds

[ ] Vioxx side effects question

>

> Today was my first day taking vioxx and I was wondering if anyone

> here has taken it and what the long term side effects are. I know my

> pharmacist gave me a standard list about possible stomach upset,

> diareah (sp?) and drowsiness. My mother in law told me that she read

> an article in the Berkley health and wellness letter that vioxx and

> celebrex (sp?) can cause kidney and liver problems. She is going to

> dig around for the article but I was just wondering if anyone here

> has heard of this as well?

>

>

> Anne

[Guest guest]

Anne,

I am in the midst of an argument with my rheumy about taking vioxx because

of the implications of heart problems. I posted another new article today

and I hope you read it. According to that article, it states the Merck¹s

guidelines say that Vioxx should not be used for more than 5 days. I am

refusing to take it and have been using advil and my doc is not happy. I

told him about reading these studies and he wants me to fax them to him,

which I will do. So next rheumy visit should be interesting. I prefer to

take some of the older drugs that we know the long term effects of. I¹m

already taking Enbrel without knowing the long term effects. It helps

immensely so the risks are worth the relief I get. But I get the same

relief from Advil that I do from Vioxx, so why should I risk heart problems?

But I also know that with Advil daily, I am risking GI problems.

has posted article about the side effects of vioxx. It works well for

me and I¹m sorry the side effects are an issue. Most RA drugs have side

effect issues. We have to weigh the pro and cons and decide which ones we

can live with.

a

>

> Today was my first day taking vioxx and I was wondering if anyone

> here has taken it and what the long term side effects are. I know my

> pharmacist gave me a standard list about possible stomach upset,

> diareah (sp?) and drowsiness. My mother in law told me that she read

> an article in the Berkley health and wellness letter that vioxx and

> celebrex (sp?) can cause kidney and liver problems. She is going to

> dig around for the article but I was just wondering if anyone here

> has heard of this as well?

>

>

> Anne

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

on 11/1/02 7:38 PM, a at paula54@... wrote:

> According to that article, it states the Merck¹s

> guidelines say that Vioxx should not be used for more than 5 days.

Well, that's a laugh, isn't it? Wouldn't it be wonderful if RA pain lasted

only 5 days?

Neither Vioxx nor Celebrex did anything for me, but Bextra does seem to be

helping. Of course we don't know the long term effects of that, either. I've

already had an ulcer from Aleve, so I'm afraid to take any of the common

NSAID's.

Sue in NC

[Guest guest]

Yes Sue, it¹s a joke. Why is it considered an arthritis blockbuster drug,

yet it¹s only to be used for 5 days? Having ulcers, you have to be so

careful. I¹m glad you¹re getting relief from the Bextra.

a

> on 11/1/02 7:38 PM, a at paula54@... wrote:

>

>> > According to that article, it states the Merck¹s

>> > guidelines say that Vioxx should not be used for more than 5 days.

>

> Well, that's a laugh, isn't it? Wouldn't it be wonderful if RA pain lasted

> only 5 days?

>

>

> Neither Vioxx nor Celebrex did anything for me, but Bextra does seem to be

> helping. Of course we don't know the long term effects of that, either. I've

> already had an ulcer from Aleve, so I'm afraid to take any of the common

> NSAID's.

>

> Sue in NC

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you ! Much appreciated. All I can say is that as far as

I am concerned, Vioxx is doing what handfulls of asprin, tylenol, as

well as the tylenol 3's with codine could not! Yesterday was a great

day for me and my first one without pain in what seems like an

eternity. Although I am thinking my dosage might be too low (it

started to wear off about 10 hours after taking it), it is working

for me for the most part.

again thanks

Anne

[Guest guest]

They are saying that the 50 mg dose of Vioxx should not be used for more

than 5 days. For RA, 25 mg daily is recommended.

http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/reporter/?ID=2305

http://www.merck.com/product/usa/vioxx/product_info/pi/dosage.html

Re: [ ] Vioxx side effects question

on 11/1/02 7:38 PM, a at paula54@... wrote:

> According to that article, it states the Merck¹s

> guidelines say that Vioxx should not be used for more than 5 days.

Well, that's a laugh, isn't it? Wouldn't it be wonderful if RA pain

lasted

only 5 days?

Neither Vioxx nor Celebrex did anything for me, but Bextra does seem to

be

helping. Of course we don't know the long term effects of that, either.

I've

already had an ulcer from Aleve, so I'm afraid to take any of the common

NSAID's.

Sue in NC

[Guest guest]

a,

I just wanted to tell you that you have to be careful with vioxx. I took it

and

it put my blood pressure through the roof. It was so high and they couldn't get

it

down. I was the one who went to the pharmacy and got all the information on it.

Even the statements that mentioned it may raise a patient blood pressure. I

took it

to the doctors and they took me right off of it. This was when vioxx was very

new

but I did want to warn you.

LYnn (meMom)

a wrote:

> Anne,

> I am in the midst of an argument with my rheumy about taking vioxx because

> of the implications of heart problems. I posted another new article today

> and I hope you read it. According to that article, it states the Merck¹s

> guidelines say that Vioxx should not be used for more than 5 days. I am

> refusing to take it and have been using advil and my doc is not happy. I

> told him about reading these studies and he wants me to fax them to him,

> which I will do. So next rheumy visit should be interesting. I prefer to

> take some of the older drugs that we know the long term effects of. I¹m

> already taking Enbrel without knowing the long term effects. It helps

> immensely so the risks are worth the relief I get. But I get the same

> relief from Advil that I do from Vioxx, so why should I risk heart problems?

> But I also know that with Advil daily, I am risking GI problems.

> has posted article about the side effects of vioxx. It works well for

> me and I¹m sorry the side effects are an issue. Most RA drugs have side

> effect issues. We have to weigh the pro and cons and decide which ones we

> can live with.

> a

>

>

> >

> > Today was my first day taking vioxx and I was wondering if anyone

> > here has taken it and what the long term side effects are. I know my

> > pharmacist gave me a standard list about possible stomach upset,

> > diareah (sp?) and drowsiness. My mother in law told me that she read

> > an article in the Berkley health and wellness letter that vioxx and

> > celebrex (sp?) can cause kidney and liver problems. She is going to

> > dig around for the article but I was just wondering if anyone here

> > has heard of this as well?

> >

> >

> > Anne

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

So, a, if your rheumatologist isn't happy that you won't take Vioxx,

did he recommend taking something with your Advil to protect your

stomach (like misoprostol)? Are you at any special risk for GI problems

or have a history of problems?

, another ibuprofen user

Re: [ ] Vioxx side effects question

Anne,

I am in the midst of an argument with my rheumy about taking vioxx

because

of the implications of heart problems. I posted another new article

today

and I hope you read it. According to that article, it states the

Merck¹s

guidelines say that Vioxx should not be used for more than 5 days. I am

refusing to take it and have been using advil and my doc is not happy.

I

told him about reading these studies and he wants me to fax them to him,

which I will do. So next rheumy visit should be interesting. I prefer

to

take some of the older drugs that we know the long term effects of. I¹m

already taking Enbrel without knowing the long term effects. It helps

immensely so the risks are worth the relief I get. But I get the same

relief from Advil that I do from Vioxx, so why should I risk heart

problems?

But I also know that with Advil daily, I am risking GI problems.

has posted article about the side effects of vioxx. It works well

for

me and I¹m sorry the side effects are an issue. Most RA drugs have side

effect issues. We have to weigh the pro and cons and decide which ones

we

can live with.

a

[Guest guest]

Hi Anne,

Welcome to the group. I have been taking Vioxx for about 2 years. It works

very well to relieve imflamation. I have taken it by itself, and I have

taken it in conjuction with Mtx. I have varied from dosages of 12.5 mg to

25 mg. Currently, I am taking 10 mg. of mtx/wk and 12.5 mg of Vioxx daily.

I can't say that I have ever noticed any side effects from the Vioxx. You

will hear from others who have had different experiences from mine. When I

first started taking Vioxx in early 2000, it was the only medication I was

taking for pain and stiffness. It worked very well at 12.5 mg till my pcp

took me off due to slightly elevated liver enzymes. When I went back on

Vioxx I found I needed a higher dosage - 25 mg. which did not give me as

much relief as in the early days of taking the drug at 12.5 mg. I took 50

mg. a couple of times. I felt great. Both my pcp and my rheumy came unglued

and told me not to take that much for more than a few days at a time. I've

asked around and haven't had anyone else confirm that taking 50 mg.longterm

is unsafe. Don't know, but I don't take more than 25 mg. at a time.

After I started mtx last January, we lowered my dosage of Vioxx to 12.5 mg

per day. Together, the drugs work very well unless I'm in a flare. When I

stop taking the Vioxx, the stiffness comes back very rapidly, so I know it

is an important part of the equation for me. So far, no stomach upset, no

diarrhea, no drowsiness, no liver or kidney problems (fingers crossed). Labs

are normal, at any rate.

I tried Celebrex for about a month, about 10 months ago. I didn't have any

side effects from it either, but it didn't work as well for me. Your mileage

may vary...

Suzanne (in gorgeous NW Florida - finally cooled off this week, low 70's

days, 50's at night - heaven...)

[ ] Vioxx side effects question

>

> Today was my first day taking vioxx and I was wondering if anyone

> here has taken it and what the long term side effects are. I know my

> pharmacist gave me a standard list about possible stomach upset,

> diareah (sp?) and drowsiness. My mother in law told me that she read

> an article in the Berkley health and wellness letter that vioxx and

> celebrex (sp?) can cause kidney and liver problems. She is going to

> dig around for the article but I was just wondering if anyone here

> has heard of this as well?

>

>

> Anne

[Guest guest]

Thanks for clarifying this . I thought I was on 50mg and I checked and

I¹m only on the 25mgs. It¹s interesting that the 50mg causes 70% increase

in chance of CHD yet half the amount has no risk. I have some reading to do

of all the great links you posted and will be curious to see if they make me

feel comfortable enough to take the vioxx.

a

> They are saying that the 50 mg dose of Vioxx should not be used for more

> than 5 days. For RA, 25 mg daily is recommended.

>

> http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/reporter/?ID=2305

> http://www.merck.com/product/usa/vioxx/product_info/pi/dosage.html

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Lynn. My pressure was elevated when I first started taking it, but

has leveled out and is normal. I¹ve been blessed with low blood pressure,

so what they consider normal is higher than my average, but they don¹t seem

to be concerned.

I hope you¹re having a good weekend. It sure did get cold and I hear you

got some flurries.

a

> a,

> I just wanted to tell you that you have to be careful with vioxx. I took

> it and

> it put my blood pressure through the roof. It was so high and they couldn't

> get it

> down. I was the one who went to the pharmacy and got all the information on

> it.

> Even the statements that mentioned it may raise a patient blood pressure. I

> took it

> to the doctors and they took me right off of it. This was when vioxx was very

> new

> but I did want to warn you.

> LYnn (meMom)

>

[Guest guest]

Hi a,

How are you feeling? How is your neck and the headaches? I hope things are

better but I know from experience it takes a long time.

I went back to the surgeon but saw the resident. I was so frustrated when I

left. I told him about the belching and he said that should not be happening.

But

he thinks it will go away????? I also mentioned the pain in my left side,

without

even looking at me, he said its a pulled muscle, it will go away in a couple of

months. I really think he just wanted me out of the office. Probably, because

I

reported his friend for the near overdose.

I saw my primary yesterday and that went so much better. He told me, they

damaged a muscle during surgery. It will take time to heal but we will watch

it.

What scares me is it is on the left side were most of the surgery was done.

Told me

it is nothing I have done. He gave me some medicine to help with the belching.

He

was very annoyed that I wasn't able to see to, also he wasn't happy with the

way

the resident treated me. He feels it is early in the recovery and things will

take

time. But he wanted me to understand that some things are not going to change.

Of

course that is the eating and the fact that it is always going to be small

meals.

He said no fat because I don't have what it takes to digest this type of food.

I

find out more from him than I did at the surgeons. I see the GI specialist in a

few

weeks. For now I am hoping the medicine helps with the belching. That is

something

that goes on for hours. However, I am more confident since I saw him. I didn't

mean for this to be so long.

I do hope you are feeling better. I have been thinking about you. We

didn't

have flurries that was above were I live. But it sure did get cold fast. I

love

the cold weather, not a summer person at all. So other than the heating bills

this

weather is fine with me.

I forgot we are not only getting a baby in March but also in June. My

oldest

son and his wife are expecting their second.

Have a good Sunday,

Lynn

a wrote:

> Thanks Lynn. My pressure was elevated when I first started taking it, but

> has leveled out and is normal. I¹ve been blessed with low blood pressure,

> so what they consider normal is higher than my average, but they don¹t seem

> to be concerned.

> I hope you¹re having a good weekend. It sure did get cold and I hear you

> got some flurries.

> a

>

> > a,

> > I just wanted to tell you that you have to be careful with vioxx. I

took

> > it and

> > it put my blood pressure through the roof. It was so high and they couldn't

> > get it

> > down. I was the one who went to the pharmacy and got all the information on

> > it.

> > Even the statements that mentioned it may raise a patient blood pressure. I

> > took it

> > to the doctors and they took me right off of it. This was when vioxx was

very

> > new

> > but I did want to warn you.

> > LYnn (meMom)

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for the links on Vioxx. This information finally validates what my

pcp and rheumy have been telling me for the last year. My husband went to a

clinic recently to have his shoulder looked at. The physician prescribed a

30 day supply of Vioxx - 50 mg. no less! I asked the pharmacist, when we

filled the prescription, about the safety of taking 50 mg. of Vioxx for a

prolonged period. He told me he was unaware of any prohibitions for taking

it longer than a few days. Duh!!! Maybe he should start surfing on the

internet for information. My husband thought I was crazy telling him it

wasn't safe to take 50 mg. of Vioxx for longer than a few days. After all,

didn't a doctor prescribe him the pills, and didn't the pharmacist say he

didn't know of any warnings about taking 50 mg. for more than a few days at

a time?

Be scared, be very scared, of the state of our medical system...

Suzanne

Re: [ ] Vioxx side effects question

> They are saying that the 50 mg dose of Vioxx should not be used for more

> than 5 days. For RA, 25 mg daily is recommended.

>

> http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/reporter/?ID=2305

> http://www.merck.com/product/usa/vioxx/product_info/pi/dosage.html

>

>

[Guest guest]

Good thing you are looking after yourself and your husband, Suzanne!

That's pretty scary. All they had to do is read the prescribing

information from the manufacturer (Merck).

Re: [ ] Vioxx side effects question

> ,

>

> Thanks for the links on Vioxx. This information finally validates

what my

> pcp and rheumy have been telling me for the last year. My husband went

to a

> clinic recently to have his shoulder looked at. The physician

prescribed a

> 30 day supply of Vioxx - 50 mg. no less! I asked the pharmacist, when

we

> filled the prescription, about the safety of taking 50 mg. of Vioxx

for a

> prolonged period. He told me he was unaware of any prohibitions for

taking

> it longer than a few days. Duh!!! Maybe he should start surfing on

the

> internet for information. My husband thought I was crazy telling him

it

> wasn't safe to take 50 mg. of Vioxx for longer than a few days. After

all,

> didn't a doctor prescribe him the pills, and didn't the pharmacist say

he

> didn't know of any warnings about taking 50 mg. for more than a few

days at

> a time?

>

> Be scared, be very scared, of the state of our medical system...

>

> Suzanne

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I too am on Vioxx, but I am to take it only 1 time a

day as needed only.....I do not take it every day, only

on the days I am having bad pain.

At first I was taking 1 every day and my doctor said no,

only 1 time a day as needed....

Joy

Re: [ ] Vioxx side effects question

Yes Sue, it¹s a joke. Why is it considered an arthritis blockbuster drug,

yet it¹s only to be used for 5 days? Having ulcers, you have to be so

careful. I¹m glad you¹re getting relief from the Bextra.

a

> on 11/1/02 7:38 PM, a at paula54@... wrote:

>

>> > According to that article, it states the Merck¹s

>> > guidelines say that Vioxx should not be used for more than 5 days.

>

> Well, that's a laugh, isn't it? Wouldn't it be wonderful if RA pain lasted

> only 5 days?

>

>

> Neither Vioxx nor Celebrex did anything for me, but Bextra does seem to be

> helping. Of course we don't know the long term effects of that, either. I've

> already had an ulcer from Aleve, so I'm afraid to take any of the common

> NSAID's.

>

> Sue in NC

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Suzanne,

I guess this is why articles I¹ve read say that doctors are the third

leading cause of death in our country. There are so many new drugs, it¹s a

wonder that the doctors can keep up with them. But you¹d think that the

pharmacist would have known. I though the computer would have spit out a

warning. It¹s a good thing that you are so knowledgeable!

a

> ,

>

> Thanks for the links on Vioxx. This information finally validates what my

> pcp and rheumy have been telling me for the last year. My husband went to a

> clinic recently to have his shoulder looked at. The physician prescribed a

> 30 day supply of Vioxx - 50 mg. no less! I asked the pharmacist, when we

> filled the prescription, about the safety of taking 50 mg. of Vioxx for a

> prolonged period. He told me he was unaware of any prohibitions for taking

> it longer than a few days. Duh!!! Maybe he should start surfing on the

> internet for information. My husband thought I was crazy telling him it

> wasn't safe to take 50 mg. of Vioxx for longer than a few days. After all,

> didn't a doctor prescribe him the pills, and didn't the pharmacist say he

> didn't know of any warnings about taking 50 mg. for more than a few days at

> a time?

>

> Be scared, be very scared, of the state of our medical system...

>

> Suzanne

>

[Guest guest]

Heck no! He told me it¹s my body and if I didn¹t want to take the meds I

don¹t have to.

Duhhhhh.

a

> So, a, if your rheumatologist isn't happy that you won't take Vioxx,

> did he recommend taking something with your Advil to protect your

> stomach (like misoprostol)? Are you at any special risk for GI problems

> or have a history of problems?

>

> , another ibuprofen user