celebrex???

[hoyt]

I am 18 years old/have DDD and I've been on lodine, voltaron, and flexeril for pain...none have really worked but my doc. just put me on 200 mg of celebrex a day. I thought this was an arthritis drug...does anyone know anything about it?

[jeanlyon]

What is DDD?

[Tifferzz]

DDD is "Degenerative Disc Disease".

Tiferz ~

[Midwest-JD]

Hi Hoyt - I take Celebrex - dr. Rx'd it for 200 mg/twice a day, but I usually only take 1 a day, as it tends to eat up my stomach when I take more. (I also skip days sometimes if stomach feels at all not right). It is an anti-inflammatory, and yes it is prescribed for arthritis, but also many back-pain folks take it and get some relief. It doesn't do a whole LOT for my back, but I think it might help a little - I take it mostly for my knees (arthritis) and feet (arthritis and recent surgery). Be sure that you take it with food or milk, and that should help prevent stomach upset.

I also have DDD and have had two 3-level fusions, with additional discs going south as well - no fun - especially for someone as young as you! (I've had on-and-off back problems since my teens, but never got MRI/diagnosis until about 5 years ago (then-aged 38). My dr. told me that even *I* am too young for my spine to be in the shape it's in, so you are really young. I'm sorry you've got this problem so early.

I'm not familiar with the other meds you mentioned, except flexeril (muscle relaxant), which didn't do much for me either. You might want to ask your doc for a referral to a pain-management doc, who may be able to help you figure out a better regimen for managing your pain.

Good luck!
JD

[showdee]

Hello Hoyt. My family doctor gave me a couple different arthritis medidations during the early stages of my pain before I saw a specialist. None of them worked for me at all. Because you are so young your doctor doesn't want to do anything more than nessassary. Which is totally understandable. I'm 27 so my doc doesn't want to do anymore than he has to and I agree. If your not already seeing a specialist, you might want to consider getting in touch with one. Another thing my doctor tried with me is an oral steriod that you use for a week,decreasing the amount every day. It worked for me for awhile. But I don't think I was smart about things when I felt better because It later started to hurt again but a hundred times worse this time. If the arthritis medications don't work for you maybe you'd like to ask your doc about it. They are also used as an antiflamitory, but alot stronger and to the point. Just be smart when you feel better unlike I was.
Good luck to you!
Steph