Question:
Hi my DR just started me on Vioxx

Dr gave me Vioxx for swelling in legs/feet will/is this a co-mbidities i have only been taking it a wk Please Help Thank You    — christina B. (posted on July 19, 2003)

July 18, 2003
Aye Yye Yye! Be careful! I've never heard of Vioxx for swelling. I have to take Furosomide (Lasix) for water retention for the last 10 years. Seems you would be taking that??? I've been on Vioxx, Arthrotec50, and Celebrex, and some supository for Arthritus. The last one made me dizzy. The first three all work fine for my arthritus, HOWEVER I can not take them as they give me stomach pain. (I'm fairly sure I have an ulcer but I'm to afraid to get scoped- I've been through to much in my life already and I don't want to go through this). Anyway, I've never heard of Vioxx for water retention. Guess it's possible, but Furosomide is a heck of alot safter than Vioxx! I'd get a second or third opinion fast. Vioxx is a pouch burner. :( Sure wish I could take it as I now have to live my my arthrits pain which is getting worse.
   — Danmark

July 18, 2003
This just goes to show you how little some doctors know of our surgery. You don't say if you are pre-op or post but daniel is right. I am a nurse and Viox is NOT for swelling and No, swelling is not a co-morb. If you are post op, you will not be able to take viox. It will irritate your pouch and can cause ulcers. I know, I know, some on here take it and say they have no problems but it is just a matter of timee. You need to find a more knowledge doctor.
   — Delores S.

July 18, 2003
There are no absolutes with WLS! I am post RNY and take Vioxx on occasion with my surgeon's okay (as well as ibuprofen as needed). I was, in fact, on baby aspirin for 3 weeks after surgery to help prevent blood clots! Vioxx is an anti-inflammatory drug, and does nothing to decrease swelling. Perhaps you are having swelling and pain in your feet, and by alleviating the pain and inflammation, the doctor is hoping some of the swelling will go away. The swelling in your feet and legs is probably not a comorbidity (not life threatening) but can be used to support the need for surgery if it is related to obesity or a condition you have that is aggravated by obesity,
   — koogy

July 19, 2003
geez guys, don't scare the poor girl. Vioxx IS sometimes taken for swelling! "VIOXX is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to reduce pain and inflammation (swelling and soreness)." [ http://www.pillshop.net/pain_relief/vioxx.asp ] I found many other online references to the same effect. Adema or the swelling caused from arthritis CAN be used as a co-morbid IF the doctor determines you have one or the other. Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 19, 2003
I think Vioxx is very strong! My Dad's death was ultimately caused by this drug. He developed a bleeding ulcer within a week of using it (he's not a wls pt either)needless to say, I'm not a fan and this is just an FYI.
   — ZZ S.

July 21, 2003
I am surprised a nurse would not know that Vioxx is in fact used frequently to reduce swelling cused by inflammation especiall for injuries. My dr say Vioxx is fine, it is a cox2 inhibitor and for MOST people has little or no effect on the stomach, it has a different mode of action than ibuprofen or aspirin.
   — **willow**

July 22, 2003
Delores is right; the primary function of Vioxx is not to relieve swelling, but it MAY cause a reduction in swelling if the swelling is due to inflammation. If the Vioox was only to reduce edema, that might not be appropriate, but if prescribed for pain, that's a different story. There are far more effective medications to reduce edema (in and of itself) than Vioxx.
   — koogy