I took it when I had to go off Sulfasalazine and it was very good. It took away the flares, with my biologic, Kineret. I also memorized an entire chapter of Greek vocabulary that day.

Sadly, it is an aspirin derivative, and I had a bad allergic reaction. It is a good drug, but I think quite strong. Just watch for side effects.

I did great on it - my liver however didn't like it and rheumy made me come off it and put me on Motrin 800 instead - I always liked it though - I do have some diclofenac gel (topical) that I got in canada, and just might sneak some onto my knee that I just had operated on....... ;)

Diclofenac is the med I started with while waiting for my first appt. with the rheumy. The problem I had with it was it would wear off before time for the next dose, so my GP changed it to Mobic, (meloxicam is generic) because it is time released and worked better. I am taking a lot of meds, including mthx, and have not been able to stop the nsaids yet. I wish I could because they are causing me so much stomach agony. I am having to choose between joint pain and stomach pain. Not good options. I hope it works for you. Oh, also I have the diclofenac patches for areas like my knee when it flares up. That helps to keep it out of my body, but unfortunately I just have so many joints involved at this time.

Diclofenac is generic for Voltaren. It works well. Just watch for stomach discomfort. Sometimes they give Nexium to take before the Diclofenac.

Thank for your answers. I am going to give it a try, Sure hope it helps the pain,

Hi Sherry,
Been on diclofenac (Volataren) for about the past 6 mos. It is an NSAID (same class of med as Ibuprofen and Aleve) but quite a bit more potent. I had been on Mobic (meloxicam) for quite some time, but it didn't seem to help much, so my doc switched me to diclofenac. I was a bit concerned b/c Mobic is known to be an NSAID less likely to upset the stomach, whereas diclofenac is not. But I've had no problems with it...does cut the edge back a bit for me, doesn't eliminate all pain...but I'd rather do this than prednisone!

Ah, one more thing: stomach pain a possibility, but has only happened about 2x in 6 mos for me. I popped a Prilosec (OTC) in those cases and it nipped it in the bud.

Hope it works wonders for you!
Lora

I have this drug added in the mix of the rest of the meds I am on. I don't take it everyday and I don't find that it helps a whole lot. There is something with all of the meds but if there is a choice in some of the side effects and getting relief from pain and deformities, I would choose the latter. Hope you are feeling well soon.