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Q. My doctor gave me Voltaren Gel samples for joint pain. I cannot tolerate even tiny amounts of NSAIDs any more, so when I read the warnings, I asked about them. He dismissed them, saying the gel was better than pills because it wouldn't get into my stomach to cause trouble.
I did fine on his samples and then paid $167 for a prescription for several tubes of Voltaren. One day I woke up with severe stomach pain. I asked my pharmacist about this, and he said the gel goes through the skin into the bloodstream and then everywhere in the body. That's why it causes side effects like any oral NSAID.
I don't know why my rheumatologist assumed this would be safe for me. I can't use the stuff. I tried a couple times later to use just a tiny dab or two of it, and it upset my stomach again.
A. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are a mainstay of arthritis treatment. Oral medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, etc), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) and diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren) can ease joint pain but may cause bleeding ulcers, increase blood pressure, damage kidneys and raise the risk for heart attacks.
Topical NSAIDs such as Voltaren Gel offer a way to target the anti-inflammatory benefits to the affected joint. Such formulations reduce the total dose of medicine absorbed. One study showed that oral diclofenac resulted in blood levels 5 to 17 times higher than applying topical gel (Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Jan. 2010).
Despite this difference, some people experience digestive tract upset with topical diclofenac. It is worth noting that blood levels accumulate over time. Perhaps that is why the FDA requires a strong warning regarding bleeding ulcers, which can be fatal.
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My doctor prescribed Voltaren Gel since pain meds upset my stomach. It didn't upset my stomach, but on the fourth day of applying it, I broke out in a rash all over my arms and legs. I had to stop using it. I, also, had three tubes of it, so I took the two full ones to the doctor, so he could use them for samples.
I feel compeled after reading this latest on Voltaren to report my experience - I make it a practice to not read side effects on prescribed medicines as I think my doctor should know me and my history by now - I do not want those warnings to affect my own reaction to the medicine - then as side effects occur, and some times they do, I get out the latest pharmacy report on the "new medicine" and go from there -
I tried Voltaren as recommended by my physical therapist and endorsed by my physician - I used it faithfully for about 10-12 days and saw that my ankles were swelling terribly (edema) increased blood pressure (I check mine every day as I am a survivor of a very difficult by-pass in 2003) and the weight gain was unbelievable - approx.. 15# within the 10 days - I stopped using the Voltaren for about 5 days and all of the symptoms disappeared except of course for the added weight - that is still an on-going matter - I started up again for about 4 days and knew that it definitely was the Voltaren that was causing it.
I called my Dr.'s office and the staff fit me in for an emergency appt - the Dr. simply confirmed my suspicions and told me I would have to put up with this pain until I was physically and mentally prepared to try something else - I am still trying to lose some of weight but can attest to the gradual reduction of the edema - I had to share this as it has just happened since July - trust this helps someone else to make a decision on whether or not to try Voltaren - it is terribly expense which should have been a warning to me in the first place - 82 years of age -
I have used Voltaren gel for over a year. My husband rubes my back every morning and night and it helps my back pain greatly. I am glad I read this comment because my experance is good with the gel.
I have been buying Voltaren gel in Germany and Mexico (Cozumel) and St. Maarten while traveling. It costs usually $10-15 overseas for a large tube and it has worked great for me and my friend who has rheumatoid arthritis and sometimes muscle spasms. I don't use a lot since it is very easily spread (a thin gel) and my blood pressure is normal. I would not be without it and was lucky to talk the nurse out of a sample one day.
A few weeks ago the sun papers published an article about a over the counter medication that helped out with PAIN from neuropathy
I am a Marine Corps Veteran who suffers from extreme pain in my feet as they were frozen in North Korea in 1950 and no medication has helped these 60 years.I have a 100% disability from the VA but no help as far as relieving the pain???
Can you retrieve that article and send me the name of the Medication that was mentioned.I really would appreciate it.
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: THE COMPOUND IS BENFOTIAMINE, A SYNTHETIC FORM OF THIAMINE. HERE'S A LINK TO THE DISCUSSION:
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2011/07/18/vitamin-reverses-nerve-pain/
I also can not use any form of antiflam cream without feeling ill, to continue I would vomit. It happens very quickly after application, haven't used it for sometime but I think within 1 or 2 hours after application.