interesting   wasa a fan of vioxx at 50 with no heart problems it worked for me...now moastly use ibueprofen.   with some back problems...they work

At one time, I used both of these meds.  Celebrex made my feet and legs swell so I only used it for a short time.  It is on my allergy list.  Vioxx was a dream come true.  For one with arthritis, total knee replacements, nerve damage in both feet, Vioxx appeared to be a dream come true.  I still miss it.  After a couple years of using it I started to feel strange one day.  Had trouble standing without feeling like I was gonna pass out.  The next day the feeling has exculated to having problems sitting.  I felt no pains anywhere on my body but I started to sweat while waiting for urgent care to give me the runaround.  They finally got around to a EKG and found out that the top part of my heart was not working.  I then passed out on them and spent four days in the hospital.  I stopped taking Vioxx shortly after that because of it side effects.  I haven't had anymore heart problems since I stopped.  I just wish that there was something else as effective in pain control.  I now take Naproxen but it is not Vioxx. 

Carol

8/15/10 10:05pm

My doctor put me on Meloxicam, it seems to do good for me, I have all over muscle and joint pain, I have had a total knee replacement and was supposed to have my right foot operated on, which I refuse to do, I do not want a block for a foot, however because of the foot problem, my foot will go to sleep or get numb,

while I am walking, weird feeling. Anyhow the above mentioned medicine seems to help alot. Thanks Carol

I was dx'd with fibromyalgia years ago, received Vioxx.  I remember the first morning I woke up NOT aching - it was great, but after a year or two on it, my legs felt 'tight' although not visibly swollen.  My doc switched me to Celebrex and it helped, but not in the impressive way Vioxx did.  After the news about Vioxx came out, I quit taking the Celebrex - I figured it would be declared unsafe as well. 

Around 2003, a physician prescribed Diclofenac (a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug/NSAID.)  I took it daily, low dose.  It wasn't as effective as Vioxx, but (to me) it was comparable to Celebrex without the risks. 

No one I mention it to has ever heard of it - - can you give me some feedback about this med?  Is it the same as the NSAIDs you mentioned, just prescription?

After having back surgery a year ago, I've just decided to treat Fibromyalgia with exercise (walking), pilates.  Have to admit they don't work as well as Vioxx, but at least I know they have other health benefits and no risks for me. 

I know this isn't an option for most people as their pain is much worse than mine, but thought you could shed some light on the effectiveness/pros/cons of Diclofenac just in case it might be an option for others to discuss with their doctors.

THANKS . . .

Christina Lasich, MD

9/17/08 6:56pm

Diclofenac is also called Voltaren. Because this medicine is an anti-inflammatory, it has the same risks as all others: "may increase the risk of serious and potentially fatal cardiovascular events, heart attacks, and strokes. Risk increases with the duration of use (longer used=more risk). There is also an increased risk for stomach ulcers, bleeding and perforations which can be fatal" This warning is called the "black box warning" that is part of the required information dispensed with medications. This warning is applicable to all NSAIDs. This warning is also applied to the Voltaren gel (although the risk is less in the topical gel than in the oral/tablet form of Voltaren).

 

Here is a secret: Diet greatly influences how your body can control inflammation, naturally. Your body has a built in brake system for the inflammation freight train. Turn on the brakes with Omega 3's (for example). Some herbs like (devil's claw) is known to work just as well as Vioxx in some studies. You can read more about the anti-inflammatory diet in Dr. Andrew Weil book , Healthy Aging.

Keep walking and keep smiling.

Dr. Christina Lasich, MD

Anonymous

9/19/08 10:52am

 

Thanks for your reply . . . I have seen some info about anti-inflammatory foods/diets and will read what you suggested! 

 

The less meds I take, the better . . .

 

 

when i read an article from a m.d. that seems to suggest that Tylenol is better than ibuprofen.  "Tylenol has fewer side effects" and "Better to be safe."   

WHATever.  

i am NOT a m.d. i'm not a M. anything, but i do read and listen a lot.  

isn't it true that while high or prolonged doses of IBs can cause stomach and kidney problems, acetaminophen in high dose is even more dangerous? acetaminophen is largely removed by the liver?  doesn't it potentially cause liver, kidney problems and stomach bleeding?   

it seems to me that you have to pick your poison.  you should avoid taking more than recommended amounts of any drug and prolonged of either could be bad.

i always wonder how many perks docs get from pharmaceutical companies like Tylenol (notice this m.d. specifically says "tylenol" instead of acetaminophen.)