Question:
Has anyone else experienced a rapidly grown ulcer post operatively...caused by Vioxx?

Six weeks post op, I awoke with stabbing pain in upper left abdomin. It was a perforated ulcer in my pouch. It was so huge it perforated both sides of the pouch, and allowed a fistula to grow into my old stomach. I had emergency surgery and suffered peritonitis. I am currently being treated aggressively for the ulcer and will have an endoscopy in another month to see how it is doing and if the hole into my old stomach is healing. I may have to have surgery to repair it.    — Pat R. (posted on October 10, 2003)

October 10, 2003
I was told (as I believe most Post-Ops are) that NSAIDs (Vioxx, Aspirin, Naproxin Sodium are all Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflamatory Drugs) are bad for us. In Normal Stomachs, they tend to cause irritation and ulcers, and this is even worse in our small pouches.
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 10, 2003
We cannot use Vioxx...it's in a class of drugs known as "Super Aspirin"...you may as well put battery acid in your tummy. I'm concerned that no one told you this pre-op or post-op. I hope your ulcer heals completely and quickly. Hugs, Joy
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 10, 2003
Wow, Pat, that much damage in 6 weeks is alot. Did the doc suspect it was from vioxx and were you taking vioxx daily? We are prone to ulcers, and vioxx is just one cause of ulcers-there are other reasons out there too, like H-pylori. I developed an ulcer, probably from my daily use of vioxx at around 18 mo post-op. I'm sorry you are having such a difficult time so early post-op, and hope you recover soon, without any further surgery.
   — Cindy R.

October 10, 2003
(The ability to use NSAIDs varies from surgeon to surgeon, so ask your particular surgeon. Mine does allow the use of NSAIDs (such as Vioxx and ibuprofen) on a limited basis. )I take Vioxx 3-4 times per months and ibuprofen about as many times, with no problem. I would think you might be setting yourself up for problems taking Vioxx everyday. My husband developed a small bleeding ulcer 1 month post op - and he never took any NSAIDS, and hardly even took any Tylenol. Sometimes I think stuff like this is under the heading of "$h!% happens". Hope you are doing okay now! That is pretty scary. What did your doctor think was the cause?
   — koogy

October 10, 2003
Not from Vioxx, I was scared of it, but from its sister drug (also considered "safe", Celebrex. Just a few weeks and it took me 4 months to clear it up. Since I was familiar with ulcer symptoms, I recognized it and treated immediately, but it still took 4 months to recover. I was one who could not take NSAIDS pre-op, either, so I knew the list. But these are even more deadly than the original, because in frying up the offending acids, they also dry up the protective mucous the lining provides to protect itself from common substances. Leaves it wide open and raw. Some get no ulcer, no pain, but bleed right thru. I refer to these as Pouch Bombs. I use plaquenil for joint pain. No tummy side effects, but you get your eyes checked more often with this one.
   — vitalady

October 10, 2003
This is very interesting: http://vioxx.owenpatterson.com/, you should also checkout http://vioxx.com/
   — Marrilee M.