Celebrex relief!

[LemonZest11]

Last night I took a Celebrex because I had what I think is Costochondritis pain. I took it before bed, and then my usual dose of pred, 7mgs, at 3.30am. This morning I awoke without any pain or stiffness. I usually have a bit of something that goes once I get moving. This was amazing ... opinions please?

[Yellowbluebell]

It is an anti inflammatory drug so the chances are the pain and stiffness you are feeling in the mornings isnt due to pmr but more likely an arthritic condition. Especially as you are at a low dose of pred and all those other things hidden by pred now appear. Remember it is not reccomended that you take this type of pain killer with pred due to its ability to increase gastrointestinal problems. Have you checked with your doctor? Still good that you got some relief from the Costochondritis.YBB

[LemonZest11 in reply to Yellowbluebell]

Thanks Yellowbluebell, I don’t have arthritis. The discomfort I feel in the morning is definitely PMR related. The Costochondritis is new, since Christmas Day, Jane helped me with that. It was so annoying the night before I took the Celebrex for a good nights sleep. Bingo! I certainly got that, and a bounce out of bed to boot!

[Yellowbluebell in reply to LemonZest11]

Costochondritis is really painful, i have had it in the past quite a few times so glad you have found something that works.

[piglette in reply to Yellowbluebell]

I had it a while back and it was painful to breath even. It appeared from nowhere and then went away again a week or two later.

[LemonZest11 in reply to piglette]

Yes, same here. It isn’t too bad but I did have one really uncomfortable night, hence the Celebrex last night. Guess I won’t be doing that again though!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to LemonZest11]

Do you have night time pain in general? There is a form of inflammatory arthritis which can present exactly like PMR except that the back pain is worst at night and improves as soon as you get moving in the morning. It also typically responds well to certain NSAIDs.

[LemonZest11 in reply to PMRpro]

No, I am pretty good at night and I don't have back pain, thank heavens. This pain I had was sternum/rib, had it a couple of times since I knocked myself out on Christmas Day with 17 for lunch. It's 5.30pm here and I am still feeling pretty good. Won't take any more celebrex after advice on here. Thanks so much for your input.

[Blearyeyed in reply to LemonZest11]

Are you suffering from poor air quality at the moment , given where you live , that can trigger a number of inflammatory pain conditions in the ribs and chest and affect your breathing including Costochondritis , but also mild pleurisy .

It takes some time to go entirely if it's Costo , breathing exercises on your chair or on the bed help to reduce the pain and bring back the strength in the rib cage area, plus sipping cool water through the day helps reduce the heat , inflammation and calms the breathlessness . Along with a night time painkiller things will hopefully settle soon . But don't be surprised if you get the odd pang of pain from that area , especially with a lot of activity for a few months after Costo happens , it's not dangerous but takes an annoyingly long time to completely settle.

Take care xx

[LemonZest11 in reply to Blearyeyed]

We're in the clear at the moment 🤞, the worst is on the east coast. Thanks for your advice, very reassuring. I'm on the mend, I think, but I never get too confident with this disease and her friends.

[Jax103 in reply to PMRpro]

Took Celebrex for two months and developed a bleeding ulcer. Passing blood clots starting out at dime size and finally increased to half a dollar. (mucus plug with red blood oozing out. Got an upper scope. Had to take carafate for 3 months and eat bland food. Now banned from aspirin, ibuprofen and any NSAID.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jax103]

Oh yes - we don't really push the use of NSAIDs in PMR at all even though many doctors will try to manage PMR with them because they seem to think they are safer than pred. However - what we DO also point out is that while NSAIDs don't do anything much for most PMR so it isn't worth cutting pred in favour of NSAIDs, if it DOES help your pain then it is time to push for a deeper investigation as it may well be something else. And patients diagnosed with several inflammatory arthritides will be started on anti-inflammatories as standard practice.

[Jax103 in reply to PMRpro]

Toradol is an excellent anti-inflammatory drug if given by injection. Orally it is worthless.

[Hidden]

I am sufferi g with the same thing. I take tramadol for other pain that doesnt seem to touch it. I have had to give in and had nurofen plus, alternating with cocodamol. I have seen the dr today and wS given... Paracetamol. I have just had 20 mins with a TENS machine. I am hoping it will ease a bit. At points yesterday and today I was at 9 and 10 on the pain scale... A handful of nurofen etc and I am at 6. I hope you feel better soo.n.

[Yellowbluebell in reply to Hidden]

Its great that paracetamol is having an effect. That means its not likely to be pmr pain.YBB

[Hidden in reply to Yellowbluebell]

Yes. She prescribed a hundred as expects it may take the 6 weeks. I have resisted the idea if injections of steroids but the pain has been excruciating!

[Yellowbluebell in reply to Hidden]

I had steroid injections for my shoulder issues which go back some years. They have always worked great but this was before pmr and pred. I had a steroid injection for groin pain due to wear and tear in hip a few months back and fingers crossed that is still working. Maybe if you are in such a lot of pain you should consider the injection?

[Hidden in reply to Yellowbluebell]

Yes. Today I wanted Dr to do it but they never request it. I see rheumy on Monday so if no better I will ask to see if they can use the injection.

[Jax103 in reply to Yellowbluebell]

Acetaminophen is what is is. Chemical name acetylpara aminophenol.

[LemonZest11 in reply to Hidden]

And is yours Costochondritis?

[Hidden in reply to LemonZest11]

I said to her I thought it was as I had it previously but not quite so badly. She did some listening, temp and no sign of infection etc so pleurisy etc rejected. She poked bits of my ribcage which wasn't pleasant. She just says she agrees it's muscular/ligaments that are inflamed. I did tell her I had red a couple of that that might suggest pmr and CC may have overlaps and she didn't disagree. The tens machine has helped me find a comfy spot so hopefully it will be a better night. I hope yours feels better soon.

[LemonZest11 in reply to Hidden]

Oh you poor thing! I’m not qualified to help you, but there are so many wise and helpful people here that I’m sure someone will come to your assistance with some advice. I really hope that you can get some relief soon. Xx

[Yellowbluebell in reply to Hidden]

I found with mine a hot water bottke definitely helped after the pain killers obviouslyxx YBB

[SheffieldJane]

I am glad you got relief from that awful pain LemonZest11 but it is not compatible with Pred and may cause a serious stomach bleed. I wouldn’t risk it. Perhaps a bit more Pred if it strikes again?

[Yellowbluebell in reply to SheffieldJane]

It is one of if those combinations we constantly advise against if possible or without gp advicexx YBB

[LemonZest11 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks Jane, noted!

[Hidden in reply to SheffieldJane]

I load up on ranitidine and make sure my stomach is well lined but I wouldn't recommend any nsaid as long term strategy. When other bit of my body have inflammation I have done a very limited 3 to 5 days with stomach protector. But I take mainly coated pred.

[HeronNS]

I'm pleased for your sake that the Celebrex worked. It was prescribed for me a long time ago but after reading up on it I decided it was too dangerous to take so never used either the free samples one doctor gave me, or filled the prescription from a later physician. All the other medications in this class have been taken off the market. So be careful with its use.

[LemonZest11 in reply to HeronNS]

Yes, it was prescribed to me by my GP while she was waiting for bloods to see what was going on with me 13 months ago. She took me off it and on to pred almost immediately, while waiting for PMR diagnosis confirmation by Rheumy. I subsequently sacked the rheumy who was completely disinterested and now I work with my GP in my tapering. I have an appointment in a couple of weeks after a full blood and bone check. She will probably berate me for taking it but for one day, I feel great!!

[Yellowbluebell in reply to LemonZest11]

Its given you a break from the pain, even for just a day and hopefully it wont linger too long. YBB

[HeronNS in reply to LemonZest11]

Oh that's okay then. I'm sure occasional use is fine. When "they" were prescribing it for me it was with the idea, I think, that I'd take it indefinitely. The first time it was obviously a new drug (witness the bundle of free samples I was given) the second time was a young doctor who missed diagnosing the PMR and I think was just trying to get this hypochondriac old woman to go away.

[LemonZest11 in reply to HeronNS]

Just hitting the sack. Will reply properly tomorrow. Xx

[Blearyeyed]

You may be better taking Paracetamol or asking for a short minimum dose course if Tramadol if Paracetamol isn't enough until the issue clears , Celebrex isn't generally recommended at the same time as steroids , as far as I'm aware , as it can cause more issues with your stomach among other things .