Cerebrex?

[Monkey321]

My DR prescribed cerebrex and both he and pharmacist advised to stop if I got side effects. Just looked up the side-effects and it's put me off from even taking 1. Anyone tried or is using this? Thank you!

[SheffieldJane]

Just not sure that it would work for PMR and then there’s the side effects. I would decline it as well. I don’t hear of people taking it for PMR. The only drug that relieves the pain of PMR is Prednisalone but a sufficient dose is an absolute requirement. I try to keep it all simple then I can figure out where I am with the condition.

[Monkey321 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks, I'll stick with paracetamol as and when needed. Syill on prednisone so not wanting to add another pill to my body unnecessarily.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Why have you been given it? If it is for PMR it is very unlikely to help and the 2015 Recommendations are against using NSAIDs. Are you on pred? Mixing NSAIDs and pred is not recommended because of stomach irritation

[Monkey321 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, still on prednisone, down to 21 mg next 3 days then reducing by 1 mg every 3 days. Dr prescribed for inflamation, still awaiting HLA-B27 blood results and anti cyclic peptide results. I'm not going to take it as not keen on yet another NASID with potential side-effects.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Monkey321]

Hmm - if it IS AS or an inflammatory arthritis, then it might work well and CAN act as a building block in the wall of evidence. Have you been told to take a PPI or other stomach protection medication? That is an essential. you say "another NSAID" - are you on another already?

[Monkey321 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, only taking paracetamol as needed. I'm not keen on taking cerebrex (or anything) really as I tend to react on them eg codeine, very sleepy, dry mouth, nauseous. I'll leave it for now and wait till 7th august when I met the rheumatologist and ask him. I also want to hopefully get a form of definite disgnosis eg AS, inflammatory, PMR, arthritis first.

[piglette]

It reminds me of some tablets I was prescribed. My sister and I were going through the data sheet to see if I could drink alcohol with them. The first side effect was death, on reading the other side effects, death seemed to be preferable! The good news was I could drink alcohol.

[Monkey321 in reply to piglette]

Funny, Good points.

[Gimme in reply to piglette]

I've reached the point where I think that having PMR is enough to drive anyone to drink.

[autumnlass in reply to Gimme]

🤣🤣 Lovely!

[Evercurious]

I have been taking prednisone for PMR for 5 years. About a year ago I developed hip serious pain of another sort ( arthritis) and was prescribed celebrex, along with a PPI. Works a treat for me, no side effects and I think it has helped me have a smoother, quicker taper.

[Monkey321 in reply to Evercurious]

Thank you, good to know your experience.

[Makmar]

My brother had PMR, when he had been off prednisone for about 8 months he had a flare. His doctor put him on cerebrex only, no prednisone, because he told him the side effects from the prednisone were more dangerous. Not sure how long he was on it, but it was his only flare and he's in remission.

[Monkey321 in reply to Makmar]

Thank you, appreciate your reply

[Monkey321]

I got my anti ccp2 test back, negative at 2.3. So I guess this rules out RA. I haven't heard from Dr as it's Saturday here. Question I have is Sept 2022 it was 0.50 do has increased. Is that normal for levels to flucuate? )still waiting for HLA-B27 test still). Thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Monkey321]

anti-ccp antibodies are found in about 75% of patients with RA - so some don;t have them or have low levels. They aren't found in people without RA. I imagine they may be low in the early stages and go up but I don't know for sure - but a negative accp doesn;t mean you cannot possibly have RA

medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/c...

arthritis.org/diseases/more...

[Monkey321 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for those links, useful info. Its all a mystery and a process of elimination and that seems to be the case with most people on here. Very frustrating and not a quick fix.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Monkey321]

It was said some years back that the average time taken to diagnosis in autoimmune disorders was IRO 10 years.