Etoricoxib?

[Lyra42]

Finally got to see rheumatologist on 8 Dec for the urgent appointment requested by my GP in June (!)

He took a detailed history and did a thorough examination (I didn’t realize how much everything was hurting until he prodded all the muscles round my joints - been quite sore since.)

His conclusion - doesn’t think I have PMR. A bit young to have it. Hinted that it’s some sort of arthritis and has ordered a whole raft of tests - bloods, full spine MRI, MRI on shoulders (which he says look swollen to him though not to me!) and knees, and chest X-ray.

He also put me on 60mg daily of Etoricoxib. He’s hoping that this anti-inflammatory will help me reduce the Pred (though to be fair he was very understanding that it might not be possible to reduce the Pred)

I took the Etoricoxib on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening. No noticeable reduction in stiffness.

Also I started slight menstrual bleeding and period symptoms on Friday afternoon (haven’t had that for at least 2-3 years). Is that a side effect of Etoricoxib?

How quickly should I notice an improvement with Etoricoxib? It doesn’t sound like a very nice drug and I’m inclined to stop taking it as soon as possible if it’s not helping.

Thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Excuse my French: b*££^"&s in reference to your age. Over 50 - and that doesn't mean it doesn't happen younger!

If you are having vaginal bleeding - straight to the doctor please. There is no real reason why etorcoxib should cause that and ANY pv bleeding more than a year after cessation of periods is suspect until proven otherwise. Etorcoxib CAN cause thrombocytopenia and bleeding - the combo needs to be checked out whichever underlies it.

Combining an NSAID of any sort and pred is not recommended - it can increase bleeding events. How much pred are you on and are you also taking a PPI (omeprazole) or something like famotidine?

I'm impressed he is checking out everything else - I'm less impressed with his opinion and prescriptions!

[Lyra42 in reply to PMRpro]

thanks for your quick response. I’m on 18mg Pred and 20mg Omeprazole Daily. I’ll go and queue up at the doctor’s surgery tomorrow

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lyra42]

Sorry to sound so dramatic - BUT red flags are programmed in my brain If they are harmless, all well and good. If they aren't, then the sooner they are sorted out the better

Good luck in the queue!!!

[Lyra42 in reply to PMRpro]

thanks. Queued outside in the cold from 7:40am (next to elderly woman with cancer - how can that be right?!) and managed to see dr. She wasn’t too worried. Told me to stop Etoricoxib (it should work straightaway and any bleeding problems usually gastro-related) and has referred me for vaginal ultrasound but thought it probably just an hormonal ‘blip’ with my HRT. Thanks for looking out for me x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lyra42]

Must be the week for "I'm not worried ..." - I got that from my cardiologist last week. I felt like saying I was and I was the one who couldn't really live much with 12-15 hour daily episodes of a/fib making me feel really rather unwell if I did try to cook a meal!

Bleeding pv is hardly gastro related - unless anatomy has changed drastically!

[piglette]

As PMRPro says haemorrhage can be a side effect of Etoricoxib. I would definitely get hold of your GP as soon as possible. I am surprised your rheumatologist offered you an NSAID while you were still on steroids. I wonder when these doctors will learn about drug contra indications?

[Lyra42 in reply to piglette]

thank you x

[Bramble2000]

hi, I’m having the “you’re too young” thing! I’ve been housebound for several months with this. GP thinks it’s PMR, put me on Pred and then the Rheumatologist stopped it! It’s a total nightmare! X

[Lyra42 in reply to Bramble2000]

Hi, I’m so sorry. I don’t believe that it’s not PMR either. There are loads of people on this forum who started PMR under 55. It seems ridiculous that some rheumatologists are quite aware that it can start in people in their 40s and others don’t accept it can start in 55 year olds. Don’t they have a professional forum where they share their knowledge? Is there any way we can encourage the PMR friendly rheumatologists to send a circular out to all their colleagues?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Lyra42]

There are some very good rheumies out there...and they do spread the information amongst their community.

But as in most walks of life, you can advise as much as you like, but if the recipient doesn't want to listen or take on board there only so much that can be done...

Leading a horse to water, and all that comes to mind!

[Bramble2000 in reply to Lyra42]

Hi, it’s been disastrous for me. I had a PET/CT scan 4 weeks ago which I haven’t had the results fit yet. I’ve just been left to it. I can’t get dressed, can’t get out of bed, can’t shower, can’t drive etc. it’s just awful. X

[5lupins in reply to Bramble2000]

please get in touch with consultant or his secretary.

I thought with not hearing anything it was ok. After eight weeks feeling ill and still having unessasary tests I rang. I had very severe GCA. The results had been filed in error…..