Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Jon's in Hospital

Hi everyone,

Well, they finally let Jon come home last night thank goodness!! In the end they decided not to do the EP Study as they felt the risk outweighed the benefit in his case. They were worried that if his heart block was due to inflammation inside his heart because of the AS that just the presence of the cathodes inside the heart could set something off and then they would have to install a pacemaker (or words to that effect, I got a bit confused with all the medical mumbo-jumbo). Since Saturday the tachycardia is gone which is good. Because they were worried that if they had to give him drugs to slow the heart down that this would also put him at risk for a higher degree of heart block and then they would have to install a temporary pacemaker. Since he has improved they thought it was better to wait and see what happens rather than be hasty and rush in there and possibly do more damage than good.

So currently they have said he has a 1st degree block which occasionally goes to a 2nd degree (Wenckebach) block. They are going to get him to come back in a week and take home a halter monitor and then analyse the results from that. So if he stays as he is now he'll be OK but they just want to keep and eye on him to check it doesn't progess any further. They have said there is a 25% chance he will need a permanent pacemaker sometime in the future.

He is now nervous to take any antiflam meds (he's been off everything over this last week in the hospital) as he is suspicious that the Bextra starts the heart palpitations and racing. I looked up side effects of Bextra, Mobic, Voltaren, Celebrex and they all list arrythmia or palptiations or tachycaria as possible side effects in less that 2% of people. So he doesn't know what he should be taking as it appears this may occur with most NSAIDS, not just the COX-2's. The doctors assured him this problem with the electrical system of his heart was in no way related to the Bextra and they felt it was fine for him to keep taking it but he feels aprehensive.

So anyway, that's what came of it all. A very stressful week but things are looking pretty positive.

Chelsea

Chelsea, hang in there!!

I would say that the prudent thing would be to stop all COX-2's, whether Vioxx, Celebrex, or Bextra...just to be safe...forget the (heart) electrical versus non that they are giving as an arguement for continuing the COX-2's, I would argue that the COX-2's do not protect the stomach lining or other linings like they were advertised...as far as that is concerned, you could take Advil and be just as good as Vioxx, althought Advil only lasts for 3 hours a 200mg pill, according to sources....I was on Vioxx for like six months in 2001 and my liver enzymes were raised in blood tests, I stopped and the were pretty much normal...the drug companies are about profit, and will cover up any problems...I'm hoping that my Enbrel will remain OK in the "Eyes of the World". Keep your eye on your doctor and your pills...and pm me if need be...

Peace, you rock-
Linc

chelsea,

good news on the heart, and Jon being home is great, good luck on the tests, and say hi to Jon for us, bith had a rough time no doubt....

David

Good to hear that Jon is back home... how is he feeling without the Celebrex?

My father had issues for a short course with his heart. He was on Celebrex... but the doctors started him on a 2nd med for something else and it caused issues with his heart (he had the monitor etc... for a while).

They took him off the 2nd med and he is doing fine again (heart).

He is coming to visit in 2 weeks for a week and a few days with mom... so looking forward to that.

Tim

Hey Linc, I know what you mean. It's very confusing knowing who you can trust with regard to the side effects of various drugs. They are all as bad as each other really but you just have to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks or not for each individual. Sounds like the Enbrel is a real help to you so I hope that it remains a safe treatment option over the coming years.

Well, Jon hasn't had a Bextra or any other anti-flam since 10 days ago and says his pain is pretty mild - say a 3 out of 10. He was only on 10mg of Bextra a day anyway which is the smallest dose and was hoping to come off them completely at some time in the near future as he continues to improve on the NSD. But he is Ok this week as he is not working. Will have to see how he copes after being on his feet all day next week.

Hey Tim, thanks buddy for your kind words. Hope you have a great time with your Dad and make the most of his visit.

Thanks Davo also and everyone else, you guys are awesome.

Ciao
Chelsea

Hi Kiwi

I just want to send you and Jon my love, this is a very hard time for you both. But your in my thoughts and thanks for all the support you have continued to give me, your a good friend.

Love Laura