topic Re: Voltaran gel in Wellness

Voltaran gel

151949 — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 15:43:31 GMT

Anyone using Voltaran Gel for their arthritis pain? My podiatrist gave me a Rx for this for tendonitis in my foot but said I could also use it where ever I had arthritic pain and it is very effective for that. However, my insurance refused it saying it isn't in their formulary so I had to pay cash - $53 + change even after getting 20% off for my AARP membership. I hope after paying all that for it that it's a miracle drug!

For anyone who doesn't know it is a NSAID in a cream form.

Re: Voltaran gel

LTT1 — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 15:47:48 GMT

@151949 I have often wished that I had an RX for this one... I take this in tablet form and have taken it for years. It is very inexpensive in this form... but perhaps the targeted therapy is easier on the GI tract?

Wish there was a generic for the cream?

Re: Voltaran gel

MariotaMurielle — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 15:48:41 GMT

hi, my ortho doc gave me a orescription for Voltaran for my knees. I wouldn't call it a miracle drug, but it does help a little.

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Stevie Nix — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 15:56:31 GMT

It is effective. You can buy it cheaper online thru CANADIAN PHARMACIES.

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DrKelli — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 16:13:03 GMT

I use it for my shoulder and it has made a huge difference. Will start using it on my ankle to see if it makes a difference there too.

Re: Voltaran gel

Zhills — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 16:14:39 GMT

I believe there is a generic. My insurance covered mine. It was not Voltaren.

http://www.drugs.com/pro/diclofenac-gel.html

Mine was formulated by a local compounding drug company.

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I am still oxox — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 16:17:19 GMT

I was given it this Summer for an elbow fracture and it worked very well.

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151949 — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 16:27:42 GMT

If it just gets me through this tendonitis I will be a happy camper. It is worse today as this is my first day wearing my orthotic and that makes it hurt even more.

This getting old is certainly not for the weak hearted.

Re: Voltaran gel

151949 — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 16:52:20 GMT

@Zhills wrote:
I believe there is a generic. My insurance covered mine. It was not Voltaren.

http://www.drugs.com/pro/diclofenac-gel.html

Mine was formulated by a local compounding drug company.

In the study quoted here they say the absorbed amount of the drug was low but they gave 1/2 gm 2 times a day and the recommended minimum dose is 2 gm , 4 times a day. So , of course it was low.

Re: Voltaran gel

NAES1 — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 17:57:57 GMT

@151949,

I am assuming you are, now, using the prescribed Voltaran gel (NAID) for your inflamed tendon/foot?

Miracle drug: 'NO', I have never thought of any gel or creme as -miracle- just temporary relief for maybe 2 hours, if that.

And, of course you could use on any part of your body, except around your eyes or very sensitive areas, using common sense. Voltaran in (pill form) indeed would be more effective long term ....but remember.... with any anti inflammatory drug/ otc or prescription medication, be very careful if you have ever had any gastro problems or allergic to aspirin.

The gel Voltaran IS absorbed into the body and over a long term in using, be aware of any unusual intestinal pain...just because this is a creme application for arthritis, does not indicate -SAFE- , but is less potent as with the pill form. I do not know your history with medications, but can warn you of the fact...that anti- inflammatory drugs used long term could/may/can cause the start of small ulcers that over time develope in size, causing a gastric bleed.

Once being diagnosed with arthritis, we really do not have much to depend on for full time relief.

I hope that your condition, with careful care, using the ortho insert OR special shoes can be very helpful.

As far as insurance paying for different medications, this does not come to me as a surprise- year to year-.

I was told a few weeks ago from an insurance medical manager(meeting) that all insurance companies were becoming more stingy as the next one.

Personally, I believe this will become worse, especially with BRAND name medications.

I am hearing so much about something I am not familar with, called Australian Dream; that is a cost of $30.00, I believe. You may want to be better informed on this one...I have no idea.

Re: Voltaran gel

Reba055 — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 18:14:42 GMT

I've heard the same about Canadian pharmacies. I think it might be OTC there.

Re: Voltaran gel

NAES1 — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 19:43:21 GMT

@Reba055 wrote:
I've heard the same about Canadian pharmacies. I think it might be OTC there.

@Reba055

Hello Reba,

Firstly, I wanted to inform almost anyone, who may have vision impairment, that I usually use the larger 'font' ......

You just might be correct on this otc.

When I was living in Australia, anyone over 18 could buy a pain medication -otc-: same as our prescription quality, but HAD to sign for aspirin and anti histamines. That was well over 15+ years ago, so that, too, may have changed?

I thought that was almost impossibly difficult to 'believe'...but true!

"Do not know IF this is the same"? I know seniors are on the short end of the stick".... We are, now, very low , Unbelieavably LOW on healthcare. This IS not the greastest C.- anymore, that I've have studied for the past 15+ years. I find this hurtful to even know this.

To be denied a gel creme through a paid insurance comany/AARP is as scammy as I've heard in a long time but do know Brand Names are almost out of sight to buy. Per senior citizens.....

1% of the wealtiest are in a league of their own. One huge mess 100%!

"How could any of these 1% holders of wealth, in leadership, possiby know what it is for the struggling 99% or >>less know ANYTHING about low income families. I know I've gone beyond the - no paid for Voltaran creme- but I feel THIS is well worth in explainng what I have learned, through committees to intervene and stop this maddness".......

Different countries have completely ,so thought ODD, from what we do or have / receive, especially in connection with the ( my opinion of assessment) greedy insurance companies we are faced with, today, along with and all these whacky rules. I work with and hear about the many obstables Senior Citjzens are up against. Unless an American can or does have private insurance company benefits, it's rather impossible to be ahead if their only income is> Soc. Sec.

This coming new year/2016 , will be the FIRST time seniors Do Not get an increase for the high cost of living. What a horrific piece of news IS THIS!!!

BUT! And I have to cringe on this: All medicaDe. All illeg. Coming in will be taken care of. Health+ whatever.

NAES

Re: Voltaran gel

Lilysmom — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 19:55:59 GMT

@Reba055, I am Canadian. You can buy this OTC here. It's not very expensive, $10-15. Hope @Kachina624 chimes in as she orders this all the time from Canada. LM

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Shelbelle — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 19:54:27 GMT

My friend uses it and says it is very effective.

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Kachina624 — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 23:49:58 GMT

I can't believe anyone has missed my many posts about this product. It's what allows me to get out of bed in the mornings. I use it on one knee and lower back. Voltaren is available in the US by prescription; the Canadian version is sold OTC, even at Wal-Mart. I've used both and find the OTC version more effective. They have regular and extra strength for the same price but the regular is a much bigger tube. It has a mild odor that dissapates instantly and is non-greasy. A little goes a long way.

I order it online from pharmacymix.com for $22/tube plus s&h. It takes 7 or 8 days to get it. I always order a year's worth. It's called Voltaren Emugel. Don't ask me if it comes from emus. It doesn't. I believe I paid about $17/tube at Wal-Mart but I don't get to Canada often.

It contains; Carbomer, cocoyl caprylocaprate, diethylamine, isopropyl alcohol, liquid paraffin, macrogel cetostearyl ether, perfume, propylene glycol, water as non-medicinal ingredients. Diclofenac diethylamine as medicinal ingredient.

Re: Voltaran gel

Kachina624 — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 23:46:43 GMT

lovestoteach wrote:

Wish there was a generic for the cream?

@LTT1. There is an OTC version. See my post above.

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Tinkrbl44 — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 00:00:19 GMT

On two separate occasions I got a prescription for Voltaren Gel and both times I thought it was only okay ... and not worth the money.

Frankly, I find Aspercreme to be much more effective ..... the cheapest place to buy it is at Walmart for $4.98. Yellow box. There's a "heat" version, but that's not what I'm recommending here.

Aspercreme an unscented cream, so you don't smell like an old person, and I find it reduces pain by about 35% .... which is substantial, when you're in pain.

If you can't get Voltaren Gel, maybe you might want to try Aspercreme.

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LTT1 — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 00:21:34 GMT

@Kachina624 WOW This is wonderful information! Thank you so very much!

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nagrom — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 01:03:33 GMT

Thank you Kachina. I use Voltaren gel for the last few years and really like it. My local Wal-Mart does not carry it nor the Canadian pharmacy in my state. The link to pharmacymix.com is very helpful. I have been buying it in the Bahamas on vacation for $24 for a large tube and stock up for the year. This year I bought seven tubes but gifted three leaving me with only four to last the year. One person I gifted this to had said her doctor had written a prescription for Voltaren but when she went to pick it up, the pharmacist said her insurance wouldn't cover it and the price was over $1,000.

I very seldom come on the boards but today was my lucky day.

Thank you so much. Good health to all.

Re: Voltaran gel

INDIANA BONES — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 13:04:26 GMT

I use it very sparingly due to heart issues for Arthur in some fingers and it works while at work. I am sorry your insurance does not cover it. I have some refills and wish it were legal to share but no such luck. On the bright side, one tube does seem to last forever for me and hopefully for you.