Arcoxia

[nanniejan]

Hi Folks,

Does anyone else take Arcoxia , I have found that I have got so depressed since I have been on these and just wondered if anyone else has been the same !!!

Jan Xx

[Gwen]

Hi I am on Arcoxia, but ive not been on very long id say just about 6 months or so, but i have depression aswel and my moods are up and down all the time, Have a word with your GP they may consider changing tablets or giving you somthing to help with the depression, im on 70mg lofepromine 3x a day.

Hope u get to the bottom of it

Gwen x

[nanniejan in reply to Gwen]

Hi Gwen , I have only been on it for a couple of months , stopped taking it once because of the mouth ulcers but they kept coming I also take antidepressants , but at the moment not helping , I have seen Dr and he is running blood tests to see if there is anything else , I also have under active thyroid and that could be the cause of my RA !!!

Jan Xx

[Hidden]

Hi I have been on Arcoxia for about 4 years or so I think as drugs such as Diclofenac did awful things to my digestive system. I have not experienced any problems with depression because of it - well not that I am aware of - and it certainly works as an anti-inflammatory as the three / four times I have tried not to take it I have really struggled. However I have my next dose of Rituximab starting tomorrow and this is one of my goals for when the disease is back under control!

Hope you get this sorted

All the best Skippy

[nanniejan in reply to Hidden]

Hi Skippy ,

Can I just ask what is Rituximab ? I'm new to RA , I don't think that Arcoxia work that well , I'm still in a lot of pain , so will see what happens when I go back next month !!!

Jan Xx

[Hidden in reply to nanniejan]

Hi jan

sorry for the delay was having my next dose of Rituximab so have been laid up for a few days as it always knocks me out for a while. So Rituximab is a biologic drug which can be used once the standard drugs and the anti-TNFs have not worked. Not something that you would dash to have but it has worked for me for the last three years after a bit of a torrid time for which I am very grateful!

[Hidden]

I choose arcoxia as my choice of ant inflammatory, I think the depression could be a coincidence as arcoxia side effects list anxiety not depression. Unfortunately just dealing with having Ra Can cause depression and it is something we all suffer from from time to time even if we dont have Ra.

Please have a chat with your Gp about this and see what he/ she says, it might be that you would benefit from taking a low dose anti depressant for a while?, or it can be linked definately with the arcoxia in your case, he can suggest a different ant inflammatory pain killer for you x

[nanniejan in reply to Hidden]

Hi Summer ,

Thanks for your reply , what made you choose Arcoxia ?

Jan Xx

[JamesR]

I took the original Vioxx, before it was banned. Then Celebrex, that got banned. I had no issues with those two, but the newer versions were slightly more problematic.

I have taken Arcoxia (Etericoxib) for a few years. I found that on the 130mg dose that i suffered with some anxiety issues, liver function issues, on the higher dose. Then again I was on it for 6 months without review.

On the 90mg dose, I am okay, I think the depression just seems to go with RA unfortunately.

[nanniejan]

Hi JamesR

Thanks for your reply , do you think it was the Arcoxia that caused the anxiety ? I take 90mg twice a day , but can't say they really halp with the pain , it's all new to me , as I have been able to cope with the pain until now , but have been told it's cause by my thyroid !

Jan Xx

[Hidden]

I am concerned about the doses you two take ( nannie and James) the maximum dose as per BNF( British national formularly) ( health care professional's bible) is only 90MG ONCE Daily for rheumatoid arthritis.. so higher doses than this would definately cause problems.

[nanniejan in reply to Hidden]

Hi Summer ,

Thanks for your reply , I made a mistake I only take 90 mg a day , not twice a day opps !!! ........I now have another symptom my hair is falling out , never had that problem before even with my thyroid

Jan Xx

[ceagard in reply to Hidden]

I accidentally took two 90 mg arcoxia. Just once.Is it dangerous?

[Jun2 in reply to ceagard]

Same here.

I am nervous. What will gonna happen?

[nomoreheels in reply to Jun2]

The PIL says if you take too many to seek medical attention immediately. It also says don't take double your dose if you forget to take them (which I'm not suggesting you have) but is in effect what has happened. Have a read of the PIL in your packet, specifically the possible side effects & if you choose not to seek medical attention be aware of any of the side effects listed. Etoricoxib (Arcoxia) tablets aren't usually prescribed to be taken more than one tablet a day though.

[nomoreheels in reply to Jun2]

How are you feeling Jun2? Any side effects?

[Hidden]

Hair loss isnt listed as a side effect.. changes in thyroid activity can cause hair loss as does taking methotrexate.. time for a good chat with your gp to sort out your meds I think x

[Hidden]

Hi just picked up your question. Arcoxia for me is the best anti inflamatory and the only side effect is constipation for which there are are a number of remedies. I've tried all the other drugs over the years and experienced mainly bowel problems but little depression. Arcoxia does take a while to work on me and sometimes it may be some hours before I feel some benefit. As a fellow sufferer of chronic arthritis it a case of keeping warm, doing some exercise and keeping mentally above it. The very cold weather made me feel worse and you can't be indoors in the warmth all the time so after I had been out I took a warm to hot bath. This is very beneficial and is similar to hydro therapy without the exercise. Good luck with the Arcoxia. Are you on anti tnf?

Regards Jezza

[nanniejan in reply to Hidden]

Hi Jezza ,

Thank you for your reply , I'm glad that Arcoxia works for you , but I'm afraid it's not doing the same for me , I don't feel any benefit in taking them , I now have a rash on my arm's face and neck , and it says in the leaflet that this is a side effect , and also depression can be caused by them as well , so I will wait until I see Dr again and see if there is something else for me to take !!! , and yes I do take anti tnf

Kind regards Jan Xx

[Hidden in reply to nanniejan]

Hi Jan

Sorry to hear about the side effects of Arcoxia but are you sure that it is Arcoxia causing it and not the Anti TNF. The two which I know to be Humiera and Embrel, Humiera caused me a rash on my back and ankles but only after a couple of months. Then I managed to get on to Embrel which doesn't appear to irritate other than the odd spot which is itchy. By the way do you inject your anti tnf straight out of the fridge or wait some minutes and then inject?

Regards

Jezza

[nanniejan in reply to Hidden]

Sorry was mixed up , I don't have anti TNF !!!

Jan xx

[muffin]

I took Arcoxia for a number of years but about 3 years ago my Consultant said I must come off it as it was causing heart problems in some patients. I had a terrible time coming off it as it was a tremendous help with pain. I have had an ECG and it has been found I have slight heart damage, was it the Arcoxia? Who knows?

Muffin.

[nanniejan in reply to muffin]

Hi Muffin ,

I think if they did a ECG on most people they would have some slight damage , they found some on mine and said it was from when I smoked !!!

All pills come with some risk , like blood pressure pills can damage your kidneys , but should I stop taken them , don't think so !!!!

Hope you've found something to help with your pain ?

Best wished Jan Xx

[sciqueen]

Hi

I use to take arcoxia 90mg when needed (once a day), before I was on steroids and I find it an effective anti flam. I preferred it to naxproxen and diclo did nothing for me.

Now my steroids are at at a low dose, I am hoping I can go back to taking arcoxia as I am experiencing the general aches of ra once again, especially in the morning.

I am also on anti d's and I started on them when I was not taking arcoxia. I started on anti d's in november and take 20mg citalopram, so I don't think there is a link with arcoxia. However I would agree with Summer as ra the disease itself causes depression.

Sci x

[nanniejan in reply to sciqueen]

Hi Sci ,

Thanks for your reply , I think that the arcoxia really does not agree with me , I now have a rash on my arm and round my face and neck that I've not had before

I'm not going to take them anymore and will wait until I see the Dr at the hospital , I am seeing him in a couple of weeks so will take diclo until I see him again .

And the arcoxia can make you depressed and i have had a few bad feelings in the last couple of weeks , so no more for me .

Jan Xx

[gerri-1966]

Hi

I have been taking arcoxia for couple of years now, I think they have eased my pain quiet a bit i am on 90mg once a day, My own gp is always trying to get me of them saying there bad for my organs, After few visits to my gp he took my dose down to 60mg once a day didnt touch my pain.

After seeing yet another gp they put me back on my 90mg i do get very down and depressed but i put it down to RA OA and gout in my feet.

gerr-1966

[nanniejan in reply to gerri-1966]

Hi Gerr , sorry reply below !!!!

[nanniejan]

Hi Gerri ,

I'm new to this , and it seems to have been caused by my thyroid , they have said it is maybe autoimmune arthritis , so waiting for the results still , I have a appointment 15th march , but will be seeing the Endo before that for my thyroid so I'm hoping that between them they can help !!!

And now that I'm not taking them the pain is worse , taking diclofenic again , but the side effects for me are even worse than the pain , I have a rash all on my face and arms that is now really itchy more mouth ulcers and the depression was soooo bad I would rather have the pain to be honest , I have always had problems with meds , so not surprised that the reaction is this bad

Anyway will see what they say next month thank for you reply .

Jan Xx

[gklas]

Hi I switched to Arcoxia 120mg, 1 per day, about 6 months ago with no depression feelings at all. Perhaps a different type prescribed by your doc would suit? Also my guess is the pain we get which requires the meds can sometimes get people feeling a little down too..

[nomoreheels in reply to gklas]

The SpR I saw in Jan. pulled me off Arcoxia 90mg daily concerned about the length of time I'd been taking it (16 months). His reasoning was heart related issues in those taking it long term, unfounded in my case. Told I could take it prn but have tried to avoid taking it at all & suffered the consequences only taking it when at my wits end. I don't have any negative effects on it only positive, but appreciate his reasoning for withdrawal. Just wish he'd offered me an alternative as I'm relying far too much on co-codamol, which only takes the edge off until my appointment in July when I'll query my Rheumy about it.

[Metal-legs in reply to nomoreheels]

Arcoxia has been the best anti-inflammatory for me, it really hits the pain better than all the other painkillers I have tried. Can you take a low dose nomorewheels?

[nomoreheels in reply to Metal-legs]

Me too Metal-legs, by far. I've taken celecoxib & that worked for some considerable time then my Consultant changed me to etoricoxib (Arcoxia) & on 90mg daily it was just brill. I don't see that reducing the dose would be accepted as an useful alternative but maybe is worth the question. I have no had cardiovascular issues at all with it & think the SpR was just following guidelines to the letter, not taking into account I have no problems only success on it. I intend asking my Rheumy later this month about the possibilities as I otherwise take no NSAID at all & if my local health authority are stopping prescribing it I will need something of equal effectiveness.

[Metal-legs in reply to nomoreheels]

It's a really difficult decision to have to take. I don't have any heart issues but the risk is high if you are on these drugs long term. I know there are risks with all these drugs we pump into our body. You just have to weigh up the pros and cons and how much your quality of life is improved by a drug. I can't manage without arcoxia, I have been through every type of painkiller in 14 years, and arcoxia is still the best.

[nomoreheels in reply to Metal-legs]

Again we've overlapped! Me neither but it's a serious consideration obviously. I've not struggled with painkillers as long as you, only 6 years for me but similar in that we both found celecoxib's effect lessened over time & I've tried others which just don't touch it. I'm inclined to agree, it's a devil & deep blue sea situation but if she would sanction reducing the dose & add yet another tablet into the mix to bolster it up I can only try if she can't offer an NSAID of similar make up that will match the relief it's given me in the past. As it is at the mo I'm not happy as I'm relying on co-codamol far too frequently just to take the edge off & as that was prescribed to take when I needed it not as a daily med I really need an alternative. Thanks again for your help.

[Hidden in reply to nomoreheels]

Hello Heels again,

Celebrex is the only NSID that suits me and I have been on it since VIOXX was taken of the market. Sad to say the only thing left is nothing

All the best

BOB

[Hidden in reply to nomoreheels]

Hello Heels again,

Celebrex is the only NSID that suits me and I have been on it since VIOXX was taken of the market. Sad to say the only thing left is nothing

All the best

BOB

[Hyperwind]

Hi!

The thing about NSAIDs is that people take it for pain. Pain itself in most cases leads directly to depression (theory AND practice). Even Arcoxia doesn't cure pain overnight, you still have to tolerate it for some time. Consider that, not Arcoxia, as the root of low mood.

[Benediktron]

Hi, i do not take arcoxia but my mother does, and some other persons i know. Some of the effects are indeed depression, and a strange kind of hallucination related all about death and bones.