slo’s THURSDAY 7/31 - Voltaren Gel

[Dan Murphy]

I've been made fun of by my family and friends for using Voltaren

Why?

 

[Praying Colonel]

DW and I walked the Camino de Santiago (Frances route) last fall. At one location we were each given a tube of Voltaren when we checked into our albergue. It was very nice of them, but didn't really do much for us.

Later in Pamplona a pharmacist gave me Voltarol Forte (same company, extra strength) for Achilles pain*. It worked better than Voltaren but still not as good as other analgesic creams I've used in the past. I prefer good old fashioned BenGay or Icy Hot.




*--The Achilles pain I thought was tendonitis turned out to be a 70% tear. I think I learned a lesson there about the difference between pain and injury.

 

[amcnj]

I am not familiar with it. But a family member has arthritis pain and is always asking me about those tv commercials touting pain relief. So they might be interested in this.

 

[Kitty 34]

I've never heard of it but I just asked DH and yes he uses it all the time. It still amazes me what I don't know about my man!!

 

[Jasper&Bowie]

I use it on my lower back and hips at bedtime when I forget that I'm not young anymore and overdo it during the day. Hubby uses it on his shoulder and upper back.

 

[lovin'fl]

When I had foot pain for 7 months, my DR suggested I use it. Didn't really do much. I also have Trigeminal neuralgia and will put on side if my face (jaw). Sometimes helps.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Why?

They associate it with being used by elderly people. I only started using it after a recommendation from a podiatrist I visited for foot pain. When they see my take out the Voltaren, I get jokes about being a grandma or needing a cane.

 

[AussieFan8]

I had hip bursitis with pretty bad pain that I ignored for a while. A combination of Voltaren and targeted exercises made a huge difference! I continue to do the exercises daily and then add in Voltaren if the pain comes back, and it works quickly.

 

[tvguy]

Never heard of it. However it is an NSAID. My Primary Care Physician, Cardiologist and Nephrologist all make a point of saying NOT to use NSAIDs. Too hard on heart, kidneys and stomach.
Only allowed to use Tylenol. Fortunately, I haven't had a need to use a pain reliever in years.

 

[_19disnA]

Never heard of it and haven't used it. I would assume there are many different 'pain relief' type items you can buy over the counter some probably work better than others. Best to talk with your doctor if you have recurring pain to see what they recommend.

 

[Dan Murphy]

They associate it with being used by elderly people. I only started using it after a recommendation from a podiatrist I visited for foot pain. When they see my take out the Voltaren, I get jokes about being a grandma or needing a cane.

I see. Well, I am old, I am a grandpa and I use a cane, and even a scooter sometimes. Tell those family and friends to sush.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Many patients love it and it helps with their pain. My mother had severe osteoarthritis and when she started using Voltaren cream she said it helped the best on her knees of the various things she’d tried. I keep a tube on hand.

Btw I work in cardiology and many patients with heart issues are still allowed to use Voltaren cream even though it’s an NSAID. It just depends on the patient, and the prescriber. If someone’s in severe pain and that’s the only thing that helps, they will sometimes prescribe or allow it. (It is OTC now.)

 

[tazdev3225]

I have had 5 knee surgeries and the pain gets really bad at times, enough to wake me out of a sound sleep if I moved wrong. My dad was using it and it helped his bone-on-bone pain some so my mom suggested I try it. It did work but I use it sparingly. I don't even take oral pain relievers that often, so I tough it out a lot.

 

[Micca]

Not too familiar with this product. I've occasionally been using OTC lidocaine patches for a while, seems to help. I'm buying the generic CVS version, the best known product in this category is Salon-Pas.

 

[easyas123]

My husband has had two knee & 1 spine surgery & he’s used this on occasion and it works for him. He’ll also use cbd cream, but the best results he’s gotten has been from acupuncture, but sometimes the aches just get to him so we keep it around.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I've occasionally been using OTC lidocaine patches for a while, seems to help. I'm buying the generic CVS version, the best known product in this category is Salon-Pas.

Marie uses the brand name Salon PAs, 4% strength, for back pain. And big difference in the results of the 4% vs. the 3%. We get them at Costco, regularly $22 for a box of 15 They go on sale quite often, I just look for them in their mailer flyer we get every month and order online. Sale price most recently was $18.50, shipping included. Marie has tried several generics, they do not compare. The patches do help her.

 

[mrsstats79]

I was using it but to be honest I did not use it all the time and the dr said you have to use it all the time. I read it is very harmful to dogs and since mine are always licking I don't want to take the chance of them getting it their mouth.

 

[NC Belle]

I have been using it on the above areas and jaw. My current doctors are trying to help me get a rheumatologist to official diagnose me with PsA (Psoriatic arthritis) and a couple other auto immune stuff. I have liver diseases that makes a lot of pain relief like Tylenol not recommended.

 

[ronandannette]

We’ve used different types of Voltaren over the years.

There’s actually a tube of it right beside me at the moment. It’s the extra strength joint pain version. I think my husband used it before he went to work this morning.

I generally use the back and muscle pain version. I really don’t think it helps me much though.

This. For minor aches and pains, I find A5-35 or Bio-Freeze or Icy Hot or Tiger Balm works better. At least you get that warming sensation as a distraction. I get nothing from Voltaren.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I first heard of it when my ortho doctor recommended it for my knee when I had a meniscus tear. At that time it was only available by prescription, but he told me that rather than prescribing it, he said to just do what all his patients did then and go to Mexico (we only live about 10-15 miles from the border) where it's over the counter and inexpensive. So my DDIL's parents got me 3 tubes for less than $5. It worked well, but so did the physical therapy and shots I had about 2-3 years later, so I don't need it anymore.