Taking less Celebrex, is that OK? | Arthritis Information

Folks,

I've written before that my RA is improving, due to either Actemra or MTX, whichever combination I am getting in the blind trial -- I have a suspicion it is both.

However, about 2.5 months before that I started on Celebrex. I am certain it helped, since the pain / swelling was already decreasing while on Celebrex. Now I am thinking it isn't needed so much anymore. The dose is twice a day. So I am thinking I would only take on in the morning to help with pain during the day while active. I probably don't need it before bed.

Does anyone have experience with that? For example one the DMARDs start working you no longer take Celebrex (or some other pain / swelling medicine?). Thanks.

Roland
Roland,

I've taken Celebrex for some years - and before that, another one. I have been kept on C'brex 2 a day - one in morning, other in evening. As I understand it, inflammation causes joint damage and once that damage occurs, it is not reversible. I had to go off C'brex and other meds to have a joint replacement about 3 years ago, and it didn't take long before some of my joints were affected. A couple of my fingers will never be the same

Swallowing all this medication, and some of the side effects, is a "pain" - but the side effect of not taking them is worse. Am reminded of this every now and then when I see someone else in the rheumy's waiting room who is really badly affected - usually because they are in the older age group when some of the better meds were not available, or were not dx'd early enough.

If I were you I'd keep taking the 2 a day, and discuss the matter with your rheumy or PCP next visit. We would not like to see you reach the stage some of us are at where the "PainMonster" can prevent us getting a decent night's sleep.

Hope you continue to do well!

Lorraine

I've been on 2X a day Celebrex for years. I've had a different problem.

For me, Celebrex stops working after on it for a year or so. I happened to mention this to the Celebrex pharmaceutical rep who happened to be waiting to see my rheumatologist and he mentioned that some folks get off of Celebrex when it stops working......then resume it about 2 months later. It's like re-setting the system.

But this is a different situation than the one discussed.

I think the real question is: Do you want to chase the pain or prevent the pain and inflammation?

Sam12342010-11-04 14:13:25Roland, I'd urge you to discuss it with the folks running your trial first - I've stopped NSAIDS in the past when I felt great and sometimes it came back to bite me. My understanding is that you need to keep them circulating in the system.

Awesome news that you're feeling so much improvement! I get my second infusion next Thursday and am counting the days. I saw my RD this week and he said it can take 3 infusions before you know if Actemra is working for you. Being off my Enbrel this long and the Actemra not yet kicking in .... it's been a rough few weeks here.

Hi, thanks all for your experiences. I didn't know the Celebrex continues to play a role in the treatment, as I was "self-doctoring" I thought maybe the DMARDs could reduce the RA effect sufficiently so that the NSAIDS are no longer needed. And, just generally speaking I prefer not to take any medicines. I am going to continue the plan, once in the morning, once in the evening until I get a chance to discuss it with my Rheumy.

Roland
Roland, this just popped up in my emails from Web MD and I thought immediately of your question:

Avoiding Six Common Mistakes:

http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/biologics-10/mistakes-with-ra?ecd=wnl_rhu_110510

Green~Tara2010-11-05 08:56:48I don't take celebrex, but take another NSAID that I have eliminated completely from my daily meds due to the terrific response I've had with MTX and enbrel...

As I was just saying to another site member in email... I haven't even taken enbrel in four weeks due to my pneumonia and my visit today w/ the RD showed only four inflamed joints, but none with any pain or stiffness..

I am not sure I can stop the enbrel completely though.... maybe I can convince him to let me go 10 days instead of 7 for shots?

Good luck, Ramen! sounds like you got a winner!!

(ETA: RD knows I am not taking my NSAID.. and he is happy, but knows that I could return to needing it at any time... )

babs102010-11-05 09:59:23Green~Tara,

Ty for that link - useful article!

Lorraine

Thanks for the article Tara, my analysis:

Mistake 2: Becoming a Couch Potato: Guilty over the summer, not anymore.

Mistake 5: Skipping Medication When You Feel Good: Guilty if "thought" is a crime (as above).

Mistake 6: Accepting Depression: Guilty, the summer was horrible, I feel like I lost a full 3 months of my life because of the RA.

I'm gonna keep taking the Celebrex until I have a chance to see the Rheumy. Because of the trial I have no regular interaction with her so it may be a while.

Roland

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