Voltaren/Diclofenac gel for pain?

Hi.

Anyone out there use voltaren/diclofenac gel or cream (or whatever it is)? I have now had 2 docs suggest it for treating 2 different types and locations of pain. I plan on trying it, just wanted to see if anyone has experience with it, good or bad.

Also wondering how to handle the prescriptions. Obviously it would make most sense for only one doc to prescribe it, I'm assuming the pain doc, I completely forgot to ask him if he would write the script for a larger amount or whatever to take care of both problems. I am not scheduled to see pain doc again for 3 months, so do I just call his office or the pharmacy or have the rheumatologist contact the pain doc or pharmacy or ??? I have not yet picked up any voltaren from walgreens.

Explanation of my pain below, if anyone had questions:

I have been dealing with some joint pains for about 5-6 months now. Came on rather suddenly, went from no joint pain to fairly constant joint pain in a matter of a couple weeks (worst pain in hands, but often present to a lesser intensity in other joints as well). Saw a rheumatologist for the first time about 2 weeks ago, he suggested prednisone. However, due to trouble with steroids in the past, plus a pretty major upcoming GI and pelvic surgery, I'm not going to do prednisone. It was also suggested that I try the voltaren gel/cream.

Then I went to my pain management doc yesterday, for a follow-up visit after having radio frequency done bilaterally on my lumbar spine. My pain doc suggested voltaren gel/cream to treat a new pain that has developed in the right side of my low back. The pain is very different than my "usual" back pain, this pain kinda feels like I really need to "crack" my back, but just can't. Not sure what that's all about. It really only is severe when I move certain ways, and for a little while after moving. The rest of the time it's pretty much tolerable.

Also, I finally made an appt. for PT for the bulging discs and pinched nerve in my neck. Took me forever to do that, no one to blame but myself! Just lots going on. In the process of getting all the details sorted out for my colostomy surgery, basically it has turned into 3 surgeries at once....a total hysterectomy, colostomy w/ removal of rectum, and the creation of a bladder sling (for my already augmented bladder). Yikes! Lots of hands in there, taking turns removing and rearranging all my parts. I think I'm mentally/emotionally ready for it. Let's get this party started!!

Thanks a lot for any thoughts or stories you are willing to share. Really appreciate your help and support.

thanks for reminding me about the voltaren. it does help. i need some. joints in shoulders and upper arms and arthritis in neck. i wish you many healing thoughts and hope you feel much stronger soon. have a slipped disk in back, i just push through that. even when i seize i walk. i keep stretching,many times a day. all the best.

I use the Voltaren gel & have some pretty good success with it on my knees & hands. Because of crohns disease & UC, oral NSAIDS are not allowed. With these pending surgeries you have coming up I would think the surgeons would not want you on an oral NSAID at this time. I don't see how it would be a problem getting a script from your rheummie for the gel since its not a narcotic for pain.

Take care.

Yes. It works ok

I too use Voltaren on my knees and feet. It does help, especially for joint pain.. highly recommend....Its really a Godsend for the arthritis in joints too.

Hi Alcie,

Thanks for the info and support. Sorry you are dealing with so much stuff!!

I am finding that the Voltaren Gel doesn't do much of anything for me. The first time I used it, I thought it was great. Maybe I just massaged the right spot or twisted just right to stop the pain for a while. Not really any relief from it since then. But gonna try it for a couple weeks before making a final decision on it. Really want it to help!! Can't take oral NSAIDs or pred. and really don't want to increase other pain meds. Stupid pain!!

Cannot wait to get surgery scheduled. I see the third doc (the one who's gonna do the bladder sling) on Weds. Then have to wait for the 3 docs to develop a plan and figure out schedules, etc. Just want it to happen NOW. Had to do a "bowel purge" Friday. (Lots of laxatives plus drinking colonoscopy prep every 10-14 days). Horrible for anyone to do once. But 2-3 times a month for the past year for someone with bowel incontinence and no sensation (so NO warning of when something might happen) makes it just awful. I don't really even mind drinking the stuff anymore, and have gotten used to the pain (still sucks, but i know what to expect with that part), but it's gotten so unpredictable. My body is so screwed up. Sometimes I go for weeks w/ no hint of a BM, then one random day I will have 15. And with the purge, used to be "normal", like I knew when it was over. Not anymore. It's like there's stuff hiding somewhere in my colon and a day or longer after I think it's over with, SURPRISE, there's more!! Leaves me housebound and hungry and depressed. While the physical part of my problem may not be fatal, the mental part very well could be if I do not get this surgery. For now, just hanging on to the hope that surgery will happen sometime in the next few months.

Sorry i got way off track from the voltaren topic. Guess I needed to vent a bit.

Question: (not sure what your situation was) but, w/ the hysto, did you have trouble w/ hormone stuff after? Did you do HRT? My urogyn. wants me to start HRT immediately after surgery and maybe stay on it for life. I am 36.

Also, I do go on the ostomy forum here...very helpful, even just to read. Plus, i got connected up with a mentor on MentorOstomy.org a new site for matching people who've been thru surgery to those considering it or currently going thru it. Ended up in contact w/ UCWhat? as my mentor. Small world. She's amazing. And I guess there is a sorta support group thru my hospital, but not a traditional "support group". More like they get together and do fun stuff, talk a bit about medical junk, but mostly just a way to know you aren't alone and can meet others with the same stuff and just live life. Then they often exchange phone #'s or whatever and do more of the support stuff individually or in smaller groups. Surgeon said the ostomy support group that meets at the hospital generally consists of a pretty old group of people, and I probably wouldn't want to even check that out cuz I wouldn't relate and they tend to complain a lot. Not a real positive experience for someone w/ a new ostomy!

Thanks for your advice. Certainly will call the companies, etc. Appreciate it. And thanks for listening.