Oh damn

[Misu]

Talked to my orthopedic surgeon just now, told him about some weird things happening to me that I've noticed happen whenever I take my Vioxx to help control my back pain...

He told me to stop taking it immediately and to schedule with my primary care physician a kidney and liver function test... *GULP*

Merry Freaking Christmas, Misu :( I have the appt. for tomorrow at 11

[ethics]

I wouldn't worry, Misu. I know doctors can be the worst PR people for your body and there is certainly no shortage of alarmists.

Drugs have a certain impact on the liver and the kidneys. He is probably seeing that with Vioxx (These include
nausea, tiredness, itching, tenderness in the right upper abdomen, and flu-like symptoms.)

I don't think your liver is at jaundice state neither are your kindney's failing but he is just sending you to check it out and see what the impact is.

I think you can say good bye Vioxx though.

[Misu]

Ethics, I think I'm screwed - I'm bleeding :(

[Sunriser13]

Don't panic yet, dearheart.

The tests are precautionary, and may exclude any problems in that respect. As ethics said, there are definite side-effects, and he has to weigh the possible risks with the benefits of the medication. Think positively!! :)

[IamZed]

That scare me Misu. I have had different kinds of bleeding for different reasons and pulled thru OK but always at some cost. Stop doing this. Start doing that. So on. Please keep us informed and fear not for your life, just your way of life is all.

[Steve]

Think positively, and I'll say a prayer for you.

It will be alright!

[btdude]

Yeah. Be careful girl. Oh, fuck it, I am no Doctor, so I ain't sayin' anything more. You just take thee to a doctor, and take care of you, you.

[Misu]

Thanks everyone.

I'm just scared, cuz I tend to be really sensitive to meds. My personality is like "ahh, f*ck it, gimme that sh*t, I'll take 3 doses if I have to", but my body is like "WAHHHHHHHH THAT HURTS!!!" with just a little. I'm extremely sensitive - anything gives me an upset tummy, and I've been suffering from raging heart burn for weeks now - probably a combo of cold medicine and vioxx :(

[Allene]

Hang in there, Misu. It'll probably be routine.

Allene

[IamZed]

I am no doctor but have had those sympomes. It is whaat I was referring to in my last post. The doctors never really gave me the definitive answer but I had to become a vegetarian for a year. Two weeks after seeing the doctor it all stopped. Know what caused it? Bad diet for me. Constant heartburn and upset stomach and stomach bleeding and throwing up three times a day.
Stupid me I figured I was smoking or drinking too much so cut back farther and farther. No help. I lost 40 pounds by the time I went in to see the doctor.
You may be disappointed by the lack of answers you get tomorrow. Don’t worry. They will fix you up quick.

[ShinyTop]

Hope it is nothing Misu. I have been on Vioxx for two years with no problems but I get annual tests for liver function.

[Coot]

I hope this is nothing, but don't screw around with this....when's your appointment?

[Violet1966]

I don't know anything about this Vioxx Misu but I know that some pain killers can cause bleeding due to an inflamation and irritation of the kidney's. My friend just had it happen to her. She was so scared and it turned out it was just a reaction to Vicadin (sp). I'm sure you're going to be fine but you get your butt to that doctor and let him tell you that. Let us know how you make out :)

[ethics]

Bleeding is not the end of the world, Misu. Bleeding is an indication of anything from inflammation to a rupture. It's not even close of being a death sentence or anything horrid.

[mikepd]

Hang in there, Misu. Very important not to stress yourself.The doctor will sort things out.

[joseftu]

I have ankylosing spondylitis, and am basically faced with taking NSAIDS pretty constantly for the rest of my life (unless my spine fuses a lot more, or I have my hip joints replaced--the hip replacement, at least, is pretty unavoidable).
I started on Indomethacin (very heavy-duty NSAID) and it was the best for controlling the pain and stiffness...but after two years my kidneys (and liver) were too damaged to continue on that.
So I switched to Arthrotec, which has been much kinder to my stomach and other organs, but not quite as effective.
What I'm trying to say, Misu, is don't panic!
You'll probably have to switch off Vioxx, but I doubt there's any permanent damage (I had some--I can't drink alcohol anymore :(, but Vioxx is not Indomethacin!)

[Advocat]

As someone with a chronic condition involving the liver (don't ask what it is, they're still trying to figure it out after two years), I can empathize... I just finished my latest batch of tests this week and the results will be back post Christmas.

Just remember:

You did the right thing... reported it to your Doc and got it checked. If it's a minor reaction to the drug, they'll just switch your meds. If the meds were causing a bad reaction, then you <b>needed</b> to find out now before the reaction got worse.

Hang in there!

[jamming]

Does you Doctor know if you are bleeding? If not let him know, if you are very worried go to the 24 Hour Clinic and let them look at you. If they think it is bad enough they will send you on to the emergency room. Only you can make the call as to how serious it is, it is your decision. We want you to be around for a long while Misu. The 24hour Clinic is usually much cheaper than going to the emergency room.

[Sharondippity]

Sending good thoughts your way.

[bruzzes]

Great.

My wife is taking vioxx for back pain and it has given her back pain. Actually it does sound like a kidney problem except her pain is lower and moves to the front groin area.

They originally diagnosed a bladder infection, gave her antibiotics that didn't work. They then gave her Cipro which didn't work either. Now they thinks she has some type of uterus problem in addition to the bladder infection they can't get rid of.
Possible DNC likely. They did an utrasound yesterday.

I hope this Vioxx is not causing this shit. She had taken it two weeks before all this started. She is still taking it now.

If your interested Misu I can keep you posted since she seems to suffer the same type of problem. I'll PM you if you want.

[Misu]

Thanks everyone - going tomorrow for my appointment, and to set up any tests necessary. I'll keep ya all posted.

[dmdvt]

Misu,

How did you doctor appointment go?

:)

[Misu]

Update - I missed my appt. on Friday, it's rescheduled for Monday at 3pm. So I'll give an update Monday evening.

Thanks for caring, guys. I don't know if it's all the karma you guys are sending my way, or just the fact I haven't taken the Vioxx anymore, but I don't feel nearly as crappy as I did before. Thanks :)

[jamming]

Bad Misu, Naughty Misu, No Kitty Treat. ;)

[Kluge]

I assume everybody saw '60 minutes' last week with the piece about counterfeit drugs and the effects they had on patients?
How can one easily authenticate a prescription drug?
I'd suggest you grab one from your current batch and save it or ask a pharmacist to check it.

And, Misu, get well soon...!

[Misu]

Got the results from my bloodwork in the mail earlier today, so thought I would put a post.

Bloodwork came back NORMAL (yay). So I get to keep my kidneys and liver after all :nut:

Now to find the cause of my bleeding and exhaustion. But at least it's not my kidneys or liver, so if whatever is wrong with me kills me, at least I can donate those 3 organs ;)

[jamming]

Or you can be made into a great dinner for cannibals ;)

[ShinyTop]

Did I hear a great dinner with cannabis?

[ethics]

That's good news, Misu, I am glad it's not those vital organs. But you know what? You need to find the missing loop and plug it SOON!

Don't wait.

[mikepd]

Originally posted by ShinyTop
Did I hear a great dinner with cannabis?


Served with Chianti and fava beans ;)

Find out what the problem is. Keep looking, as you don't have symptoms without cause. All the best.

[Violet1966]

Great news Misu :) Good thing you opened your mouth and said something and went to the doctor about it :)

[jamming]

Originally posted by ethics
That's good news, Misu, I am glad it's not those vital organs. But you know what? You need to find the missing loop and plug it SOON!

Don't wait.

Yeah we don't want a sad ALF ,(alien life form) hanging around telling us his wife is sicker. If you guys need anything I am three hours away, besides what are board friends for.