Celebrex

taraHK
taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi. I'm 18 mos post-surgery (and chemo) for rectal cancer. At my oncologist's suggestion, I am taking Celebrex every day, as a possible measure to decrease the chances of recurrence. Wondering if others are doing so and, if so, if you have had any side effects. I have been having stomach pain recently, and wondering if it could be connected with the Celebrex (which is supposed to not irritate your stomach, I know).
Thanks. Tara

Comments

  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #2
    Hi, Tara -

    I thought they were going to pull Celebrex off the market because it was in the same family as Vioxx. I used to take it but not every day. I used it for arthritis and because it ostensibly inhibits CC.

    I have quit using it since I came down to the south and my arthritis has eased up. I just hate taking a lot of pills. Can't say as I ever had stomach irritation from it.

    - SpongeBob
  • grandma047
    grandma047 Member Posts: 381
    #3
    Hi, I had seen commercials on tv that advertised that celebrex helps prevent colon polyps, so I asked my cancer surgeon and he said that there is no proof that it does, so he said not to take them. So, I don't know. Anyone else have any idea?? I'd do anything to keep this from coming back a third time. Love ya all.
    Love and prayers, Judy(grandma047)
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    #4
    I've been taking it for some time now, also on the advise of my Onc. It supposedly is a preventative, as mention by the other posters, and the radiologist
    said it enhances the effects of chemo & radiation, but I have not seen any scientific proof..
    I haven't had any obvious side effects, & have been taking it for about 9 months. Bud
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #5
    nanuk said:

    I've been taking it for some time now, also on the advise of my Onc. It supposedly is a preventative, as mention by the other posters, and the radiologist
    said it enhances the effects of chemo & radiation, but I have not seen any scientific proof..
    I haven't had any obvious side effects, & have been taking it for about 9 months. Bud

    Thanks, guys, for these replies. As I recall, since there is now some evidence that 'baby aspirin' may help prevent colon cancer, there is a hypothesis (but, as far as I know, no evidence -- I could be wrong on that) that aspirin and its 'cousins' might help prevent recurrences. My oncologist was pretty up-to-date on scientific developments, although I haven't discussed this with him for a while (I've been on Celebrex for about a year). Like many others, I hate to take unnecessary pills, but also am willing/eager to reduce my chances of recurrence. Thanks for your input and perspectives.
    Tara
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
    Last but not least to comment. Bert's oncologist put him on Celebrex about 8 months ago, one pill twice a day for the same reason as some of the others....not for arthritis but to help prevent recurrence. To date, no side effects. However, if your stomach doesn't tolerate asparin real well, I've heard that Celebrex can also cause pain in the stomach.

    Monika

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