For me it is advil too.

All I know is that naproxen (Alleve) is NOT the answer. My rheumy recommended naproxen (found in Alleve) for my occasional pain and inflammation, but it takes a couple of days to build up in the body (and it's hard on my stomach), so it's not very good for immediate relief. I hesitate to take Motrin/Advil because I'm allergic to aspirin, so I guess I need to ask the doc about that.

I take 15mg of Mobic, and it has to build up in the body over several days as it is a 24hr time release med. Ibuprofen is definitely faster, but then for me when it wears off the break through pain is harder to get back under control.

I took Diclofenac once that was around the house and it worked better than Naproxen, Celebrex and all the other DMARDS I have been on.

Whether it is faster or not, I do know.

Advil Extra Strength Liquid Gels if you want fast releif - take with food.
Or for overall steady symptom help I like Voltaren SR (Diclofenac Soduim Sustained Release). The generic is just as good don't bother paying for the Brand.

You will need to monitor your liver (likely you are already) when on Voltaren.

advil liquigels get my vote, too.

I found Ibuprofen better than Naproxen. My doctor said they're from the same family, so it should make a difference, but I was on a low dose of the Naproxen and high of the Ibuprofen, so I'd say that's got something to do with it.

The NSAIDs have 2 effects: analgesic (pain) and anti-inflammatory. My doc told me to get the full effect, you must take them regularly and let them "build up" in your system, if you will. Popping an occassional Diclofenac or Motrin won't help. Must be taken on a regular basis.

That was not my experience Eyemaline. I would be functioning in a few hours if I added a DMARD or prednisone. Mind you, that was also on a biologic last fall, and perhaps I had a build up of aspirin from the year of Sulfasalazine. I also took Naproxen, Celebrex and Vioxx at various times prn, but usually at that point in my life, it meant every day. LOL

I went from bed ridden to on the move and better memory when I took a DMARD, till my rheumy told me never again with my allergies. But I do think mthx takes time to work.

Make sure they are both sustained or extended release. Your Cataflam (Voltaren) is typically an immediate release and the Indomethacin (Indocin) is usually extended/sustained release. It would make sense for your doctor to prescribe one immedate release drug and an extended release drug to manage your pain more effectively. With that said, if they are both extended release, you might ask your doctor to change the Voltaren to the immediate release version. I use to be a chemotherapy nurse and most of my patients who had chronic pain took the extended release pain medication on a schedule, usually at 9am and 9pm then they had an immediate release medication they could take for breakthrough pain. Granted with cancer patients, the drugs were morphine based ... but the same principle should work here. I would be cautious about adding Ibuprofen to your drug mix unless approved by your physician. Best wishes for pain free days! Chelley

Angela, I take celebrex. I would like to know about the diclofenac.
You said that worked better for you.

I think we all need input on what works for others so we can compare it to are regimen.

I use the children's Ibuprofen. When I can find without High Fructose Corn syrup, it's better.

{{{hugs}}}

My rheumy gave me diflunisal and seems to work better for me than nabumetone. Sometimes just extra-strength Tylenol will help me quickly,but is short-term and soon the pain is back.

I have found a "cheap miracle" and I do have to let you all know about it. It is called Ice Cold. I get it at Dollar General and it costs $1.75 a jar. It is a blue gel and it works better and faster for me than any other analgesic rub I have tried, including the expensive stuff. It's just a cheap, off-brand. I fight pain in my knees a lot which is not RA but is where my kneecaps do not track right in the little groove that they are supposed to, called patellar tracking. I simply could cry from the pain, but this Ice Cold will soon help to "numb" the pain and it is not as severe. It does have the famous smell when you first put it on, but the smell doesn't linger and soon goes away. Feels cold at first then has a warming sensation. I hope if you try this, it will give you some relief like it does for me. Kind of like "chicken soup for your joints"!

Ibuprofen get's my vote! It even takes the edge off some of my really bad days! Good days I only need 200mg in the morning and before bed. Dr. gave me vicodin in case I need it for pain but I had an allergic reaction!

thanks, and I am somewhat surprised by your answers...low dose ibuprofen for example.
I always feel the need to share things I've learned and I don't want to be a worry wart but I do trust reader's digest ; I think that is where I read a thing about being careful of what we *anyone; puts on their skin....some people have actually died from too much of topical creams/ointments......that contain things like menthol/lidocaine or what ever is in them-
now one reason some have died, is they were going to get their legs waxed and were told to slather it on their legs then cover with plastic wrap.
anyway be careful to follow directions with topicals like anything else. ;)