Chronic Pain Support Group

Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...

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/ Chronic Pain Support Group

Anyone tried Voltaren aka Diclofenac Sodium Gel ?

deleted_user
deleted_user
I was put on Diclofenac Sodium 75mg orally twice a day. Excited because the morning after I took it .... I was walking :-)

Unfortunately due to my bad stomach I began throwing up blood last weekend. My pain mgmt. group recommended we try the gel and I discussed it with my Repro. Surgeon and she has used it herself for her back and got relief.

They know my pain often spikes 10 out of 10 and I end up in ambulances. Actually 6 hospitals this year in Denver. Haven't tried yet and have numerous locations the gel would need to be applied - because lower back, hip, left side, left thigh and lower abdomen all involved, they think nerve pain mixed with muscular pain.

Feedback from anyone who has tried this medication would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Jenergy
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have it and it works pretty well. Not 100% pain relief but there is relief. I get my husband to message it into my back and shoulders several times a day and I can tell the difference. Of course I can only have him do this on the weekends when we are not working. There is no way I could try to rub it on my own shoulders and back without causing myself more pain.

Hope it works for you!
deleted_user
deleted_user
so far it's the best thing I have tried. It brings the pain level down. I picked up a lotion applicator from "Bed, Bath, and Beyond" and it makes it real easier to apply to back. It's like a bath brush that you use to wash your back but instead of a brush is has a soft rubber pad that you put whatever lotion on it and then apply to back.

Hugs & Prayers,
Mary
deleted_user
deleted_user
the same happened to me, throwing up etc.
i went to the er and was in hospital for 2 days,on a drip cause i was throwing up that much,since then the dr hasn't given me that again.
i would stop taking it and talk to your dr about it.
hugs
deleted_user
deleted_user
I used the pills for 20 years but just stopped because I had GI bleeding when I started Savella. But I also bought some Voltaren cream over the counter in Australia and used it on my neuropathy on my feet. It brought the swelling down some and helped but didn't eliminate pain. I still have some--maybe I'll try it on my back.

Marcia
deleted_user
deleted_user
vominting blood isn't good, what is causing that. I never heard of that drug before, and don't really know how to advise you. I know that will be just that much harder if you have gi problems to get pain pills because they mess with your gi track. I hope ya get figured out that isn't good.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Non steroidal ANTI INFLAMMATORY...is there inflammation in chronic pain?
deleted_user
deleted_user
cc, thanks for that. I had the patches for about 4 months and I just didn't feel they were doing a whole lot and told my doctor. Today I started with lidoderm patches and have my fingers crossed. Not noting the miracle so far but the morning should give me a better idea, right?
deleted_user
deleted_user
Jenergy,
I was on Diclofenac for about 1 year, it did help my arthritis symptoms, but it upset my sensitive stomach and caused canker sores in my mouth. Plus being at risk for heart disease and stroke it made me a bit nervous.

My rheumatologist reccommended OTC Aleve instead; which I had taken previously. I recently saw a doctor being interviewed on t.v. stating that Aleve was the safest NSAID to take, especially for the stomach.

And to Ccbatson-- There is most definitely a need for NSAID for chronic pain. Especially if that chronic pain is caused by arthritis.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I LOVE voltaren gel, it does wonders when you get hit with breakthrough pain. I have ulcers, also, and I couldn't tolerate anti inflammatories so the gel was a BLESSING.
Good luck, and do take it faithfully for three days putting it on 4 times. I promise you it won't let you down!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Chronic degenerative arthritis (that everybody has to one degree or another) is not necessarily associated with ongoing inflammation...usually it is not. When in doubt, check a sed rate...if is is normal or low...it isn't inflammation. If it is elevated...maybe a NSAID makes sense once other causes of an elevated ESR are excluded.

Lidoderm huh? Don't get me started on that one please.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi Jenergy,
I have the patches. I read the side effects after trying one patch. I didn't like the side effects so I still have a box of these and I don't know how to dispose of them.
So I am not much help. My neck issue I believe has nothing to do with inflamation. A herniated disc, spinal stenosis and probally about the same amount of osteoarthritis in the spine that you would expect from a 61 year old.
I hope you are able to find something to relieve your pain. Sometime when I use heat it sort of distracts me from the pain and makes me feel a little better. 10 level pain I don't have so I don't know if heat helps.
I can't understand how that drug would help a 10 level pain.
Good luck and take care of your tummy.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Chronic pain causes injury. Call it inflammation or not--NSAID's can be invaluable in the treatment of chronic pain, especially when used in conjunction with opioids. Also, I would check a CRP along with the Sed rate, but feel that these tests are only necessary when looking for autoimmune disease processes.

Lidoderm patches are an excellent choice of pain relief for many people. I have found them to work very well on lumbar and thoracic pain. They can be cut and have no side effects as long as the person is not allergic to lidocaine, or to the adhesive.
deleted_user
deleted_user
The patches (Lidocaine) were a total joke but this is a gel with a totally different medication, an anti-inflammatory. We felt it was worth a try since the oral medicine worked overnight and I felt almost no pain for 3 days until my stomach couldn't take it :-(

I use heat often as a distraction - the brain reroutes some of it's pain to new sensation on skin, which is why I've been hitting the hot tub in my new building. Really helps to defer my brain unless pain is untolerable or searing nerve pain.

Thanks to everyone for their feedback. :-)
I haven't tried yet because pain is primarily away at the moment. Mine can come and go for up to 3wks. - either a long time of bliss or hell lol!

Jenergy
deleted_user
deleted_user
Jenergy--

I really hope that the Voltaren Gel will work for you without the side effects you were experiencing (and also hoping that your pain will stay down so that you don't need it).

I just mentioned the Lidoderm patches, as with anything out there, it works well for some and not others, but is certainly worth a try for anyone who hasn't used them. Best of luck with the gel. SB2
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