Should I Continue Taking Celebrex for Ankylosing Spondylitis? - Internal Medicine

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When managing Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), the use of medications like Celebrex (celecoxib) is common for controlling inflammation and pain. Given your current situation, where you are taking Celebrex daily and have seen some control over your inflammatory markers, it’s important to evaluate the effectiveness of your treatment regimen and consider your ongoing symptoms.


Should You Continue Taking Celebrex?
Based on your description, it seems that Celebrex has been somewhat effective in managing your symptoms, as your inflammatory markers are within the normal range. However, the persistence of morning stiffness and mild back pain indicates that while the medication is helping, it may not be fully addressing your symptoms. Celebrex is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can help reduce inflammation and pain, but it may not be sufficient alone for everyone with AS.


Duration of Treatment
Regarding the duration of treatment with Celebrex, it is generally safe to continue taking it as long as you are not experiencing significant side effects and it is helping to manage your symptoms. Some patients with AS may need to take NSAIDs long-term, while others may find that they can reduce their dosage or stop taking them altogether if their symptoms improve significantly. It is crucial to have regular follow-ups with your healthcare provider to assess the effectiveness of your treatment and make adjustments as necessary.


Adding Other Medications
You mentioned that you have started taking Simponi (golimumab), which is a biologic medication used to treat AS. Biologics can be very effective for patients who do not respond adequately to traditional NSAIDs. The fact that you have not seen improvement after 26 days of Simponi raises a valid concern. The general guideline for biologics is that they may take several weeks to show their full effect, but if you have not noticed any improvement by the 42-day mark, it may be worth discussing with your doctor whether to continue or adjust your treatment plan.


Expectations and Next Steps
It is understandable to feel uncertain about whether to continue with Simponi given the lack of improvement so far. While it is possible that you may see benefits in the coming days, it is also important to have realistic expectations. If you do not see any improvement by the time you reach 42 days, it would be prudent to have a discussion with your healthcare provider about alternative treatment options or adjustments to your current regimen.


Conclusion
In summary, you should continue taking Celebrex as it is helping manage your inflammation, but keep a close eye on your symptoms. Regarding Simponi, it is advisable to wait until the 42-day mark to assess its effectiveness fully, but do not hesitate to communicate with your doctor about your concerns and any lack of improvement. Regular monitoring and open communication with your healthcare provider are key to managing Ankylosing Spondylitis effectively.