Question:
Has anybody been given liquid Viox post-op?

I want to say thank you to all that responded to my Help Why Did I Do This Surgery? question last week. You were all right, I feel much better now but I have my before surgery joint pains that are keeping me awake and the nurse told me to call my own doctor and get liquid Viox. I thought that Viox would cause ulsers but she said not the liquid, does anybody know anything about this. Not trying to doubt the nurse but just want to make sure.    — Diane S. (posted on November 14, 2003)

November 13, 2003
I injured my shoulder in February. After my surgeon discussed it with the Ortho doc, they came to the conclusion that it would be OK short-term. They watched me VERY closely and I took it for a couple of months with no trouble. I want to make it clear that I had VERY STRICT orders to not take ANY anti-inflammatories in PILL form. Bottom line, ask the doc who did your WLS and follow his or her directions. My surgeon's explanation was that it is the pills "hanging around" in the pouch that cause the major problems. I'm not convinced that they are 100 % sure of this though, I be interested in knowing if anyone has had trouble with the liquid version. I know that there are lots of people that have had major issues with the pill form.
   — Chris B.

November 13, 2003
I have had liquid Vioxx, but I immediately went back to the pill. . . .I take one every day and have not had any problem. I need to have a knee replacement and an ankle fusion.
   — Kelly R.

November 13, 2003
I just went through a miserable foot surgery, without any NSAIDS. Even when I realized how painful it was, and I was kinda nauseated from anesthesia and the other drugs, I realized how deadly it would have been had I taken the NSAIDS, too, even the so called "safer" ones, Vioxx, Celebrex & Bextra. The only thing that kept me strong was that I had recently talked to a Vioxx survivor. She'd had no pain, just gastric bleed that nearly killed her. Although with my history, I'd expect pain, her story straightened me right up. She felt NOTHING til she started bleeding. No clues at all. I know that it is considered safe "on paper", but as a person who must live with a pouch, I still consider it a time bomb
   — vitalady

November 14, 2003
Just a caution about vioxx. Yes, liquids are better than pills, for absorbtion purposes and so that the pills do not burn thru the pouch, however, vioxx and the other NSAIDs also inhibit the production of prostaglandins, which as I understand it is the protective lining in the pouch. Without that lining, very easy to develop that gastric bleeding that Michelle refers to. I took vioxx once a day in pill form for many months and at around 18 mo post-op developed a pouch ulcer. I have severe lower back pain and quality of life was greatly reduced without my vioxx. My surgeon and PCP agreed to put me on bextra (same class as vioxx but less prone to cause ulcers) and I must take it with cytotec, which helps to protect that lining. I am still running a risk of developing another ulcer or that gastric bleeding so if you can do without it all the better.
   — Cindy R.

November 14, 2003
I am on vioxx, in pill form, for tension headaches. My surgeon gave me the scrip so apparently he feels its okay to take. I only take as needed, not daily so that may be where the difference lies.
   — Michelle B.

November 14, 2003
Liq or pill...Vioxx is not good for GB patients. It is the medication it's self that increases the secretion of acid in your stomach and makes you MUCH MORE prone to ulcers...even in your REDUNDENT portion of your stomach (the unused part). The medication not only effects the portion of the stomach it lands in, but also in the rudundent portion because the drug is absorbed into the bloodstream and effects the whole body(a systemic effect). Of course I am not an MD...just an RN...but I would question being given the medication!!!!
   — Connie R.

November 15, 2003
My surgeon is adamant about using not NSAIDS after surgery. He has prescribed Lortab elixir for my arthritis pain. He says if you are taking it for pain relief you will not get addicted. I had an open RNY in July and have been taking it since then. There are days when I don't have to take any and then on the days that I work for 12 hours I may take it three times a day.
   — Charlotte G.