Question:
No more Bextra?
I have arthritis in both of my knees. I have been taking Bextra and it's been working great. I have surgery in less than 1 month and my doctor has taken me off of it and told me that I would never have to take it again??? I realize that as my weight goes down, that there will be less pressure on my joints - but won't I still be hurting because of the arthritis? Has anyone not had to take their arthritis med's after the surgery? Thanks! Cj — Cj B. (posted on December 19, 2003)
December 18, 2003
I just thought I would give you my take on this. I am 3 1/2 months post op
and down 65 pounds, 50 pounds from goal, from a size 24 to a size 16. At my
3 month follow-up, I told the doctor my heel spurs, my knees, my hips, my
lower back, etc., hurt more now that I have lost weight than they did 65
pounds heavier. I asked what is up with that? He said that I am losing my
cushion. He had me add glucosamene (SP????) to my vitamin regimen, can't
tell you if it works or not have only been taking it since December 11th.
— Shari M.
December 19, 2003
It is so funny.... right after surgery when I was taking NO medicines at
all for arthritis I did not even feel that much pain. But now that WINTER
has arrived I am back to feeling the arthritis. I am now back on my
arthritis meds but I am taking ultracet (super tylenol) because it is the
only thing that does not make my stomach ache a little. My stomach is so
much more sensitive now after surgery to the arthritis drugs. They say you
are not suppose to take anymore NSAID drugs after WLS... ulcers.... Maybe
you are just going to have to find another drug that relieves your pain
after WLS. But it was funny how at first I was able to stay off the
arthritis meds... I think I stayed away from them for 3 months or so. God
Bless You in your Journey! I have lost around 60 lbs and the arthritis is
better but of course it is not CURED!!! I still need the knee
replacements. Sigh! Again, God Bless!
— Eleanore Davis
December 19, 2003
When I left the hospital after my RNY, my surgeon told me that I would have
to have total knee replacements - that losing weight would help some but
that there was no way that I would be "cured". I didn't want to
believe him, but he was right. I was 55 when I had my RNY November 29,
2001 and July 30, 2003, I had a total knee replacement on my right knee.
The left will be done next year. My surgeon allows me to take Celebrex
when the pain is so bad I can't stand it but then, only for 5 consecutive
days and then I have to be off them for 5 days. I rarely take them for
more than 2 or 3 days and then am off them for several weeks. I wish you
the best of luck with your surgery.
— Patty_Butler
December 19, 2003
I have arthritis in my lower back and was told the same thing, no more
vioxx or any NSAID. However, my quality of life was not the same without
it, even after losing weight,so my PCP allowed me to start back on vioxx,
one a day, a few months after surgery (surgeon was not happy with this).
At 18 mo post op I developed a pouch ulcer due to the vioxx (which is
harsher than bextra) and went off it for a month while the pouch healed.
Rough month. My surgeon and PCP agreed to allow me to try bextra but I
have to take cytotec 3 times a day with it. You see, the NSAID doesn't
just get stuck in the pouch and burn a hole, the NSAID also prevents the
protective lining from forming in the pouch. Cytotec protects the lining.
(my non-medical explanation!) That was a few months ago, and so far so
good. If you can live without the NSAIDs your better off, but I made the
decision that quality of life was worth the risk..discuss this with your
PCP and surgeon...
— Cindy R.
December 19, 2003
This is one of the many reasons that I chose to have the Duodenal Switch,
rather than the RNY. If NSAIDs are impotant to your quality of life---and
they are, to mine---look into this alternative WLS procedure NOW. You can
find good info right here on the Duodenal Switch Message Board, or at
http://www.asbs.org or http://www.billandersonmd.com.
— MsBatt
December 20, 2003
I'm the same as you. I tried the other arthritis meds for the past few
years and they always upset my stomach so I was on Bextra for about a year
before my RNY on 6/10/03. I had a blood clot after surgery & had to
take blood thinners for 3 months after, so couldn't take Bextra.
They allowed me to go back on it after the 3 months as long as I take
Prevacid also every day. It's been over 3 months since I've been taking
Bextra every day & I'm fine. If I should start having any problems
with my pouch I'm supposed to stop them & call the surgeon to get
checked out right away.
I'm down 84 lbs in 6 months!
— Rita G.
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