This drug is a major breakthrough, probably as major as viagra. A LOT of people are taking it. Apparently the sales are phenomenal. It is recommended for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Pain (from other conditions I guess) is not one of the "approved" recommendations but many times drugs are given to patients for unapproved reasons. (There is another similar drug called Vioxx and it is approved for pain) The pain clinic doctor told me it (celebrex) works better than the old NSAIDS with less side effects. My pcp says it doesn't work better, its just that it allows you to reach therapeutic levels without the side effects like gastric irritation, although it still has the potential for this problem, only less so. People who take coumadin (blood thinner) can take it whereas the other NSAIDS are contraindicated for them because it interferes with the action of coumadin. Apparently it also interacts with oral diabetes meds so those people can't take NSAIDS either! There are some side effects reported. Heartburn, stomach pain, headache, respiratory infection (?). I had a weird side effect-hot flashes. The first week I took it I had horrendous hot flashes. I checked the insert that came with the package and sure enough, this is one of the lesser reported side effects. They have gone by now. (one month on the drug) I agree with you Anne, it does work very well.
Chris S.
At Fri, 20 Aug 1999, Anne Hayashi wrote:
>
>Hi,
>
> I have been a silent reader for a while, and want to thank
>all of you for your wonderful postings! I know
>personally that they are helping many people who are not
>regular contributors. Sue Ann, many thanks for keeping
>us all up-to-date on the good intergel results. I am very
>sorry this is not the end of your pain problems and
>hope there will soon be a resolution for them.
>I am also a severe adhesion sufferer,with severe pelvic
>wall involvement. I know Chris has written about
>Celebrex, I have now started taking it also. I am
>combining it with Neurontin and lowering dosages of
>ultram and ativan, which have dependency issues related
>to them. Just to let you know it is really working
>much better than I had ever expected!! I still have the
>pressure and bowel problems, but the terrible pulling pain
>has been reduced. It is much better than any other
>anti-inflammatory I have ever taken and is also being prescribed
>for arthritis patients. Just one more vote for this
>med, if you are looking for a possible pain reliever.
>
>--
>Anne Hayashi
>