Celebrex and Upset Stomach: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• June 20, 2011

For Pain "I have a disc protrusion at C4-5 and C5-6 which causes a narrowing in the foraminal canal resulting in nerve root pain. In May of 2009, I was in excruciating pain, and upon the recommendation of my chiropractor, I mentioned to my spine specialist about trying the medication Celebrex. My specialist agreed to give it a try, and the results were astonishing. I transitioned from severe pain where I couldn't even sleep on my left side or walk due to pain radiating from my shoulder to my left thumb, to now having little to no pain except for a slight stomach irritation at the beginning. My insurance covers most of the cost with just a small copay of $45.00. Thanks to Celebrex, I can now exercise and ride my bike."

• Anonymous
• February 24, 2024

For Pain "I haven't felt this normal in years! Today is day two. I am no longer bedridden, and for me, that's huge. I switched from meloxicam. I dreaded waking up in the morning and was only able to tolerate 4 hours of work, but even with 4 hours, I left work in so much pain, needing to go home and lay down. I'd be limping sometimes and miserable. I have more energy because I have less pain. I am scared of meds due to side effects because I'm the type who gets them all, but the side effects are minimal. Day 1. Stomach burning, so I took an extra Pepcid because I already have stomach issues, but I had taken my morning dose of meloxicam, and this I took in the evening. I felt a little foggy/tired for a few hours after my dose, and in addition, I felt slight heat for maybe 20 minutes around my neck/face, but much better than the hot flashes I get from steroids. Day 2. Much better. I had no symptoms besides a slight tiredness for a few hours and several hours later, mild indigestion. I took Pepcid. I cleaned my house!"

• tst...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2022

For Pain "I know you should give medication time to work, but with this one, I couldn’t handle a third day of trying it. My dose was 100 mg, once daily. I was so hopeful that it would work out because my pain is so bad. I woke up after the first day of taking this medication and I didn’t feel well. I didn’t put it together with the medicine until I took the second dose. I felt like my stomach was going to pop from bloating, with gastric disturbances in my intestines. My head felt weird, more than just a headache. The headache came with a feeling of depression and brain fog. And fatigue? Wow, how could I keep going like this? I was miserable. Taking one more day could do me in. I wasn’t meant to keep taking it. Now I’m disappointed. I really wanted it to work. I’m happy for everyone who has extreme pain and can take this medication. It’s not easy to deal with chronic pain."

• Bar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 6, 2014

For Osteoarthritis "After breaking both ankles in 1987, I was diagnosed with arthritis in 1997. I put up with mild pain and joint stiffness for years until I started my new job in 2011 at age 45, (7-8 hours a day non-stop on my feet). After each shift, I would be in so much excruciating pain I wondered if the job was worth it. Went to see my doctor who prescribed 100 mg Celebrex twice a day. The first few days I noticed a small improvement but also had a bit of stomach discomfort. After a few weeks, it was like I had new ankles! Little to no pain, so I went down to 100 mg a day on days I don't work and 200 mg a day when I work. The only other side effect I have had is significant hair loss/thinning for a couple of weeks every 6 months, it grows back though."

• Nee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I get severe GI side effects with all NSAIDs, so PCP prescribed Celebrex 200 mg 2x/day. After a week of taking it, my stomach began burning, then diarrhea started and continued for five weeks and is still going. I am waiting for surgery to replace and extend the entire cervical spine instrumentation due to herniation and stenosis with myelopathy and thoracic T10-11 herniation with radiculopathy. The Celebrex gives minimal pain relief from these conditions, but it is all that I have for pain, so in desperation, I still take one when the pain becomes unbearable and stay close to a bathroom."

• Anonymous
• March 25, 2011

For Pain "I have a 50% compression fracture of my L1, and Celebrex is the only thing that will alleviate the pain. Unfortunately, it upsets my stomach."

• fre...
• April 6, 2010

For Pain "Used to treat chronic pain (idiopathic origin, but could be fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue). Ease of use was fine, only side effects were stomach upset."

• Anonymous
• February 16, 2011

"Caused severe stomach upset - a trip to the emergency department was necessary."