Voltaren Gel?

[CathyA]

Anyone ever use this for joint pain? My Rheumatologist prescribed it for my hands, and I was wondering if anyone here has used it and what their experience with it was. I can't take oral NSAIDS, so I'm hoping this will help my severe finger arthritis.

[danna]

I have used it, so does Dd and my husband did all for arthritis pain/ or muscle pain, It says not
to use for more then 7 days. And, I know my sister was told it had NSAIDs in it but I am not sure.

It does work and it an entirely different product then the smelly ones we are use to. I found it expensive
enough but, it goes a long way. Costco has a two pack of the largest tube for only a couple of $'s more then a one pack
at the Pharmacy.

[Mrs. Hermit]

I use it. Wonderful stuff. I am very sensitive to anti-inflammatories, but can handle Voltaren gel. I like that it is a more directed medication than oral drugs. I use it when my back/shoulder pain gets severe. It helps the pain enough that I can then use my shoulder normally and can stand normally, which keeps me from further injury/pain because of incorrect use.

I don't know how much your doc prescribed, but you can always try using just a little bit to see how you react to it. I find I rarely have to the full dosage my doc prescribed to get relief.

[CathyA]

Thanks danna and Mrs. Hermit.

I was wondering if I had to use it 4 times a day to get relief.......but from what you said Mrs. Hermit, it wounds like I could use it less often and still get some relief?
My doctor said it doesn't get absorbed systemically..........but the insert goes on and on about all the bad things that can happen when using NSAIDS........so I wasn't sure.
I think it was NSAIDS and antibiotics that sort of ruined my GI tract many years ago, and it's never really healed. I can't even take 1/4 of an Aleve pill once a week, without my GI tract getting inflamed. It's a bummer.
Thanks for your input on the gel!

[Simpler at Fifty]

I use it for heel pain. I put it on at night and then slip socks on. It takes the inflammation out of my heels. I cut the toes out of the socks that way I can keep the socks on all night and my feel are not too hot.