I have been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. Even though I am still in the early stages and the pain is still tolerable, my doctor has prescribed Celebrex for me to use for the long term. Do I really need to be taking Celebrex at this stage? If so, what are the advantages and disadvantages for me?

Most all medications tend to have side effects in one form or another. Therefore, there really is no perfectly safe drug. In many cases, however, medication is still required. When the pros far outweigh the cons and it is even worse to not take the medication, then it should be taken. Being a good patient and listening to your doctor's and following his advice to the detail can help reduce any risks or negative effects. There are concerns with Celebrex regarding possible blood vessel damage which can cause stroke. Its counterpart Vioxx proved harmful to patients suffering from heart and nerve diseases. Unlike Vioxx, Celebrex has not been proven to be harmful or cause any damage from its use. It is considered safe according to all current data. You should discuss any doubts you may still have with your doctor. Ask him specifically about the side effects you can expect and how they may be minimized. Be sure to take the Celebrex exactly as it is prescribed by your doctor. Let him know if you develop any serious side effects.

It is also a very good idea to take your Celebrex with food to help reduce any unnecessary stomach irritation. It is better to be safe then sorry! You should always be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking in any other form of medication. Many drugs, when combined, can become quite dangerous. Good luck !

Treatment with Celebrex is not supposed to cause stomach problems - the product was developed to provide a solution to the risk of stomach problems that exist when using normal non steriodal anti-inflamatories drugs. The research and development of Celebrex showed that it provided significant anti-inflamatory effect while having less stomach side effects than normal NSAIDs - however be wary - some reports do exist of patients who have had stomach problems while on this product. That aside it is an excellent product that has made the lives on thousands of arthritis suffers so much better.
I do agree however that if you take Celebrex long term then you will need to check the potential for drug interactions with any other products you may take over time - this is something that should become just a good habit - best wishes