Fibromyalgia Support Group
You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.
I wondered if this topical gel helps anyone, trued it:?will my gp give it to me?
I use the gel. It does work, but was told by my rhumie that it is "only for small areas". I guess if the inflamation was that bad one would need to take the rx (ie: naproxen).
It is very expensive, but I like the fact that if I have a bad ache in one spot I can use that instead of taking a pill for the entire body.
You might want to check with your insurance and the pharmacy to see what you will end up paying. When I got my first tube of it, it came with a $30.00 off coupon to use with the next purchase.
Good luck with your search.
I started using Voltaren Gel in the last 2 months on specific points on my neck, shoulder and back. It brings pain relief within about 10 minutes. It reduces my pain by about 60% and penetrates about half an inch into my muscles.
The funny thing is, when I was first given a sample of Voltaren Gel by my rheumatologist about 2 years ago, the pain relief was very minimal and Traumeel worked much better. However, after recently getting nerve blocks my pain seems more receptive to the ingredients in Voltaren. I know it's expensive so you may want to ask you doctor for a free sample.
Here is a link to the $30 reusable coupon I used: http://www.voltarengel.com/consumer/RegisterForCard.jsp
I filled out the info for the free patient support program called "Go Ahead Rub It In" online and then printed out the coupon, which looks like a little card. You show this to your pharmacist, with your doctor's prescription. You can use it up to 6 times. Good luck!
I use it, it works pretty well. The doc first had me try it for my knee, because it keeps swelling and hurting and I can't take ibuprofren or NSAIDS anymore because they eat a hole in my stomach. He asked if I used it on my shoulder too (had rotator cuff surgery) and I said yes, and I also use it on my other knee, my hands, etc. I practically bathe in it! He seemed fine with it and wrote me an Rx for a gazillion tubes.