how to come off arcoxia.

[yrfee]

Hi, I have some form of arthritis but they do not know which one yet. I have been on 90mg arcoxia for 8 months and the doctor has just told me to come off it. According to all the books etc you have to come off it slowly. But HOW SLOWLY? Before I took it nothing else worked I could not sit down, stand up etc, trying to stand up I took all weight on arms and ended up with torn and inflammed biceps tendons. I am now having ultrasound and physio. Had 11 sessions 6 more to go. Any advice with regard to coming off the arcoxia would be welcommed. I have read that just stopping it raises chances of heart attack/stroke by 30%. By the way I am 71. Thanks.

[Hidden]

Hello BOB here

Is a cox 2 inhibiter, depends on dose how long you have been on it, and how your body will react, You will just have to do this with direction with the GP, and how easy it is going to be to cut the medication. I have been on Celebrex now for in the region of at least twenty years and have not been taken of them for that length of time, My medications come in 100mg and 200mg sizes in capsule forn so that will dictact the time and how to reduce the dose in the smallest cut

BOB

[sciqueen]

Hi

Step down in dose I.e go to 60, then 30mg. Your doctor should of advised you, unless he/she wasn't aware you was taking daily?

I'm on arcoxia 90mg fir my RA. It's very good as an anti flam and works well for me, but I was instructed to only take it when needed. I may take it for 3 days in row plus when I flare, otherwise I just take it occasionally. As a Cox 2 inhibitor it can cause heart disease so it should be taken when needed not repeatedly to avoid it or lower the risk of heart disease.

Return back to your gp, ask fir more guidance on how to come of them.

Good luck

Sci

[yrfee in reply to sciqueen]

H. i thanks for the info. I have been told to take them every day but he has now told me that he does not like me on them for the damage they do and to stop taking them. i queried how? as I have read that it must be done slowly to avoid problems and suggested taking them at less and less frequency which he said he thought would be ok. Unfortunately I live in Spain and although my doctor is quite good at english sometimes he does not quite understand what I mean. Thanks again for bothering to reply.

[Hidden]

Hello BOB here

Been on Cox2 now since they came on the market, we know the risks with these and even NSID . All risks have to be taken to be able too live a (normal) life, although sometimes the risks can be too great to tolerate There is no good, no bad just colours of grey

All the best

BOB

[yrfee in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for this bob, I will come off them by taking every other day etc. I am also using the -Say No to Arthritis Book- And taking the advice which seems very good. Thanks again.

[Hidden]

Hi yrfee. The alleged increase in heart attack risk needs to be looked at for what it's worth. It sounds like a relative risk compared to some other statistic. What's important is the absolute risk. e.g. If the risk of heart attack is 1 in a thousand then a 30% increase to 1.3 in a thousand is a relatively insignificant increase. If on the other hand the risk is say 40 in a hundred then a 30% increase to 52 in a hundred is significant.

I was not aware that step reduction was needed for this type of medication. Like sciqueen, I think you need to go back to your GP. A telephone consult is all you need. Don't be ashamed of asking for clarification. How many times do we all get back from an appointment and then have trouble recalling exactly what was said? Well I do for one.

[yrfee in reply to Hidden]

thanks for the info will try to find out more. yrfee