Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
I've taken the NSAID Lodine (Etodolac) for years for Sciatica and degenerative disc disease. When I had my first RA flare I continued to use it with continued success. Over the past month or so, however, I get almost no relief from the Lodine. Has anyone had an NSAID become less effective over time?
What do you guys think of Celebrex? Is it any less safe than other NSAIDs like Lodine? I have to say I tried one from a friend and it worked great and that was only my first dose! I was able to move my thumbs better than I have in 2 months! My toe felt much better as well. Maybe the reason I noticed this relief is because the Lodine stopped working or maybe Celebrex is just superior. If it's considered no worse for the heart than Lodine then I'm asking to switch at my appointment on Thursday. What do you guys think?
What do you guys think of Celebrex? Is it any less safe than other NSAIDs like Lodine? I have to say I tried one from a friend and it worked great and that was only my first dose! I was able to move my thumbs better than I have in 2 months! My toe felt much better as well. Maybe the reason I noticed this relief is because the Lodine stopped working or maybe Celebrex is just superior. If it's considered no worse for the heart than Lodine then I'm asking to switch at my appointment on Thursday. What do you guys think?
I had to look up the term NSAID and those meds you posted. First I've ever heard of them myself. After all these years the only thing my Rheumatologist has prescribed for inflammation is Prednisone. On my worse days I also take Ibuprofen that seems to help some on top of the Norco that I have to take everyday to even move.
Interesting how everyone seems to have different meds and treatments. I travel a long way to see my Rheumatologist who is one of the heads of an Arthritis Research facility. Makes me wonder why I haven't heard or have been asked about these other meds.....
neither my primary care no my rheumatologist will prescibe any pain meds other than a muscle relaxant - , so frankly if I did not investigate this option, what would I have?
I do NOT take prednisone for RA as in ANY so of course I went begging for options many moons ago and when I did the word nsaid came up in my RA's lexicon. it depends on what your mix is now. i got hooked on nsaids when I was working and needed NO more brain fog. the mtx was enough in the impair my thoughts department.
nsaids are like our biologic treatment every single one works differently on every single person so don't ask around. just keep a notebook and check em all off as you try them until you hit one that works and happens to not affect your liver numbers or your stomach lining. then sing alleluia. for a while. until it aint working no more then switch.
if you liver numbers go up you will have to shit can them or if get an ulcer and of course sure if you are allergic. but if no, no and no to the preceeding I think nsaids are way better for me, personally, than prednisone - and I am lucky because they happen to work, mostly and I aint signing the i am allergic song.
Depot
Mobic is not too irritating for my stomach and I read studies that it was gentler too. If the Celebrex you used worked, ask your doctor for a "go to" prescription of it when you are feeling bad but not to use every day. That might be a good choice?
Thanks for your responses.