Epiphany

[betagirl]

Today I did 91 miles of a century, and forgot to take the usual celebrex I take before any long rides. I was half way to the start point when I realized it, and all I could think was "this is going to hurt." I had no idea.

I have crohn's arthritis in my hips and knees, which is what the celebrex is for. I only take it when I ride. I've done a dang good job masking any pain by taking it pre-emptively over the past 2 years or so. Today was a wake up call that I simply cannot ride longer distances (over 30 miles) without it. I'm not sure how that makes me feel, considering I'm only 30 years old. Well ok I *can* ride them, but it's pretty miserable. I tried to do the whole mind over matter, positive attitude bit which helped. But by mile 55 my hips were screaming at me.

At mile 75 it started to rain. Hence the 91 miles of the century. I skipped the 11 mile loop and headed back in. I'll use the rain as an excuse, but I'd made up my mind well before then that there was no way I'd make the full 102 miles with my jacked up joints.

At mile 82 I was chased by a sharpei. Thankfully I was on a slight downhill, so I was able to motor a bit. But he kept up with me for a while as I yelled NO! at him. I don't think he was doing anything more than chasing me, but that certainly didn't help my situation

Anyway I'm not sure what the point of this post is other than to b*tch about my dependence on celebrex. I could think of more fun drugs to have a dependence on, for one Thanks for "listening."

[Dogmama]

Have you tried testosterone?

Seriously, I understand. I have lupus and am allergic to Celebrex. I LOVED Vioxx, but it was taken off the market. If you're like me, the amount of asprin/advil/etc that I would need to take to mask the pain would kill my stomach.

If you can take Celebrex and it helps, do it! You wouldn't tell somebody with diabetes to not take their insulin & tough it out, right?

[betagirl]

Heh

I'm just an amateur, so no

[betagirl]

If you're like me, the amount of asprin/advil/etc that I would need to take to mask the pain would kill my stomach.

Yeah, I thought about stopping at a gas station for some tylenol or something. But I figured that wouldn't work too well and just upset the ol' guts.

If you can take Celebrex and it helps, do it! You wouldn't tell somebody with diabetes to not take their insulin & tough it out, right?

Good point.

[Lise]

Hey, beta, I didn't know there was such a thing as Crohn's arthritis. It makes sense though, as they're both inflamatory processes. I'm with Dogmama on this one. You take an anti-inflamatory to control an inflamation process. Tylenol probably wouldn't have helped much; some Motrin or Advil might have.

There was a time when I was taking a lot of Motrin for my endometriosis pain. I found that if I took it with TUMS, I had a lot less stomach pain. That might be a gas station emergency measure--some ibuprofen + TUMS if you forgot the Celebrex.

Funny about being chased by the Shar-Pei. I can just see it! I lived with a Shar-Pei (Sophie) for 5 years. They are tough little beasts. They used to be palace guard dogs in China. Glad you shook him off your tail.

[DrBee]

Beta - sometimes it's just better to take the medicine.

I'm going through a similar but very different issue at the moment. I take Allegra everyday because my skin reacts to everything - both from pressure (carrying plastic bags, picking up my son, etc) and chemical contact (like shampoo/soap). Allegra kills my short-term memory and makes me a bit foggy, so I'm trying to not take it. Today was the first day in a year that I haven't taken it and my hands hurt from picking up things and my knees hurt from kneeling on the carpet with my son. Frustrating. I'm going to see how long I can tough it out. No-one has been able to diagnose what the problem is. I'm going to the doc this week again. I also take Detrol (for complications from having children). I tried stopping that, too - hoping I had gotten past the problem. Nope - back on that this afternoon.

Sorry to digres. My point is that it's depressing to be dependent on medication. I know this. However, modern medicine can help us - so we might as well accept the help.

[Bikingmomof3]

I am very impressed with the 91 miles. I am sorry you were not able to do the 11 mile loop. Again, I am very impressed you were able to make 91 miles without your medication. Be proud, take care of your body, you need the medication and that in nothing to be ashamed of. I must take anti-seizure medication daily, I hate it, but life throws things our way and few options are given us. I digress. Did I say CONGRATULATIONS?!!!!!!!

[nuthatch]

Absolutely amazing you were able to finish all those miles in that kind of pain. I was at the same invitational today and I skipped the 11 mile route just because it was raining. Feeling pretty wimpy next to you, Beta!

[Nanci]

I take Celebrex for arthritis in my hands, following years of horseshoeing. My hands would be curled into little balls, somewhat like the arthritis sufferer in Staphen King's "Precious Things." I have recently been debating asking if I can get a higher dosage, since I seem to be rubbing my hands like in the old days before Celebrex. BTW, if you take a double dosage, it will make the most horrendous period cramps disappear. For days.

[emily_in_nc]

BTW, if you take a double dosage, it will make the most horrendous period cramps disappear. For days.

Very interesting! I have my yearly physical later this month, and one of the issues on my list to discuss with my doctor (why does this list get longer every year?!?) is my cramps. They are simply intolerable for about 2 days each cycle. This past one I resorted to taking Percoset (only at night, didn't want to risk driving or trying to work while taking it!) leftover from surgery to get through the cramps. I never even thought of Celebrex. Even with the risks, it is probably safer and less mind-fuzzing than narcotics, I'd think. I'll be interested to hear what my doc suggests. Four ibuprofen just isn't cutting it anymore. Perimenopause sucks!!!

Emily

[Nanci]

Emily, OMG, ask about it!!! It's like a miracle cramp drug. I don't remember how I found out about that aspect of it, but my doc and PNP know of it!!

Nanci

[greenmachine]

Four ibuprofen just isn't cutting it anymore. Perimenopause sucks!!!

Emily

Yep, I'm in that camp too... the hot flashes suck too, when it's already 85° out!!

I do carry some ibuprofen in my seat bag, for whatever pains I get. I wrap some up in a baggie and if I (or a riding partner) need it, it's there.

[Nanci]

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Celecoxib is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to treat arthritis, pain, menstrual cramps, and colonic polyps. Prostaglandins are chemicals that are important contributors to the inflammation of arthritis that causes the pain, fever, swelling and tenderness. Celecoxib blocks the enzyme that makes prostaglandins (cyclooxygenase 2), resulting in lower concentrations of prostaglandins. As a consequence, inflammation and its accompanying pain, fever, swelling and tenderness are reduced. Celecoxib differs from other NSAIDs in that it causes less inflammation and ulceration of the stomach and intestine (at least with short-term treatment) and does not interfere with the clotting of blood. NSAIDs have been found to prevent the formation and reduce the size of polyps in patients with the genetic disease, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). In FAP, patients develop large numbers of polyps in their colons, and the polyps invariably become malignant. The only cure of FAP requires removal of the entire colon. Celecoxib is approved as an adjunctive (secondary) treatment among patients with FAP. The cramping and pain during menstrual periods is due to prostaglandins, and blocking the production of prostaglandins with celecoxib reduces the cramps and pain.

[betagirl]

Thanks everyone. I've been on daily medication for about 4.5 years now to control the stupid crohn's disease. Though recently I've been cut back a lot to only the injectable med I'm on, every 2 weeks. It's been nice to not pop a mound of pills every day lately, so maybe that's part of my whining

Celebrex is fantastic, and I really don't like taking drugs (if you can't tell). I'm not supposed to take Advil or other pain killers as generic NSAIDS are harsh on your guts. COX-II's apparently are more specific as to their mechanism, so I don't get the damage. Dogmama - sorry to hear you're allergic. I think they took Bextra off the market too?

I am very impressed with the 91 miles....

Thanks Bikingmomof3.

Nuthatch - I'd never done the Naperville Rotary ride before. I saw it on bike journal. It was pretty nice, except for the rain. I was soaked by the time I finished. Some of us took shelter at a rest stop with a small tent, then decided once the lightning stopped to just go. By the time I got back to the start point, the sun came out. Isn't that always the case? Did you get to do any riding?

Lise - just one of the fun "extra-intestinal" complications of crohn's. It's a fantastic disease. I had joint pains for a few years before my guts got goofy. I chalked it up to being tall The power of denial is kinda scary sometimes.

[esther231]

lol It surely is, at that.

I rode 10 miles today for the first time and I wasn't in any pain. I'm just proud I got that far.

So, I'm amazed and delighted for you going 91 miles. Wow, that's far. I can't imagine even doing it without pain. I seriously can't imagine it in the pain you were in. Congrats. It's a major feat and you got bragging rights there.

Now rest. Let yourself heal.