I'm against Vioxx but now have no choice

I had gout and arthritus long before WLS. I found that both Vioxx and Arthrotec50 worked great for the arthritus. Since WLS I've NEVER taken ether because of the dangers. Sometimes people die from Vioxx who NEVER had WLS. So who am I to push it? Anyway, I've had to suffer the arthritus pain as I don't want to hurt my pouch. I had had unexplained stomach pains (brutal 9's!) AFTER the gallbladder was removed. Perhaps it is an ulcer or an espophical spasm. Well to get to the point, I'm having Physical Therapy for my left shoulder/arm (had rotator cuff surgery 1.5 years ago but now it is acting up again). NOW I HAVE TENNIS ELBOW IN MY RIGHT ARM! Geese. I've never played Tennis ether, lol although it is only a name. It is very painful and even picking up a cup of coffee is impossible or so painful it is'nt worth it. It has been 6.5 weeks of pain. I'm waiting on seeing my bone doctor on the rotator cuff PT but I can't get in early than 9-30. So I saw my regular doc for the tennis elbow. She wanted me to take Iboprophen. Of course this is a no no after WLS. I will admit I have taken one pill two or three times a year ONLY. This because at times my whiplash is so bad I've had to chance it. But this is VERY rare and takne with Nexium. So she said to take 12.5 mg Vioxx. I mentioned the dangers with that as well. She then looked at her medical books and said that was the safest thing I can use (although not completely safe of course) and to take a Nexium with it. Evidently this will be for two weeks only. I must admit my arm is not painfree yet the pain is down from a 7 to a 2.5. Much better and certainly tollerable now. Yet I'm scared for my gastric health. What I'm really afraid of is that I will so enjoy the arthritus relief that I will want to continue and that pain has been hard to endure for the last 3.5 years post op. Any advice or experience? Thanks folks.

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