Question:
Can vioxx be taken at about 2 weeks post op?

I am having the same pain in my knees and hips that I did before surgery because I am only 2 weeks post op. I took vioxx before surgery. I know that I should avoid ibuprofen, aspirin, etc., but what about vioxx?    — Marsha W. (posted on December 30, 2002)


December 30, 2002
I have SEVERE arthritis in both my knees and will soon have to have knee replacement surgery. My surgeon says NO Vioxx and he allows me to take Celebrex for 5 days at a time if the pain is so bad that I can't function. I got a prescription for 30 June 16 and still have one left. I don't take them often as you can tell - they can cause stomach bleeding and ulcers just like Ibuprofen and aspirin. Please don't take these medications without consulting your surgeon. My doctor did say it is ok to take glucosomine but I haven't tried it.
   — Patty_Butler

December 30, 2002
Yes, you can take Vioxx. I got some from my surgeon for cramps. I took it for the first time at 3 weeks post-op.
   — Sarah S.

December 30, 2002
My surgeon gave me liquid Vioxx in the hospital...and I was home within 24 hours. He said that it also helps soothe the stomach. Hope this helps!
   — Christine S.

December 30, 2002
Upon my surgeon's approval, I was started back taking my Vioxx when I was 2 weeks post-op. Before that, I was taking the liquid Tylenol for my joint pain, but it didn't help much.
   — Faye M.

December 30, 2002
Supposly you can take Vioxx or Arthrotec 50. Ether really help my arthritus! HOWEVER, seems like a few weeks afterward I get bad pouch/stomach/abdominal pain. I'm afraid it is related to the medicine. So I've been suffering with arthritus which has gotten MUCH MUCH MUCH worse since WLS. It has been spreading over my body and is now into my hands/fingers. Personally I don't know what I am going to do. And although the doctors say Vioxx (and some of the other meds) are safe for us (after WLS), I don't think they are! If anyone knows of something that works and is safe, I'd sure like to know what it is, as my fingers (the bones) are snapping and it is very painful.
   — Danmark

December 30, 2002
2 weeks of Celebrex cost me 4 months on expensive meds! However, glucosamine/chondroitin is fine. The deal with the Vioxx, Celebrex & Bextra is that they are caustic in themselves AND one of the things they do is dry up the mucous secretions in the stomach that normally might protect the lining. So, for me, a life long ulcer sufferer, I'd never have taken them (if I'd known). For us NOW, though, putting it into a tiny pouch makes it a concentrate, so to speak. I know somme docs allow them, some docs don't. But regardless of "opinion", many of us have had ulcer or gastric bleed due to one of these meds.
   — vitalady

December 30, 2002
Asked my pain management dr. about this just yesterday. Vioxx is the safest one out of the bunch for anyone. Equal in potential damage the same as a daily tylenol.
   — lessofme170

December 30, 2002
I was told by my rheumatologist I could take the Vioxx for a short period, but be aware that it does cause some water retention/weight gain in some people.....the scale kept going up and up and I went nuts trying to figure out what was going on! 2 days off the Vioxx and I lost the excess water and an additional 2 pounds....now I just have to find a way to stay out of the bathroom!!
   — Linda 1.

December 30, 2002
Just wanted to let you know....I was on a trial of Vioxx for my back pain....it didn't do a thing for me. But....I just read in a medical article newly released that Vioxx and Celebrex are leading causes of Bleeding Ulcers. Just wanted to give you all the info I had. Good luck
   — hawk4life

December 31, 2002
Well, you've gotten opinions all over the place, haven't you? Some doctors allow it and others don't. Both Vioxx and Celebrex have been known to cause stomach ulcers and bleeding, so some docs shy away from it. And some allow you to take it for a short period of time. I take a Vioxx every day, and have for months with no ill results. But I do know that that could change too.
   — Cindy R.

December 31, 2002
With all of the somewhat conflicting answers, have you considered an injectable form of medicine like Decadron. It is a steriod, but not like what weightlifters take and helps my mother's rheumatoid arthritis really well- she has ulcers and cannot tolerate the others. She has had the injections as often as monthly on a couple of ocassions. Just a thought.
   — Leigh S.




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