Community Chat

[fortune]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

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@fortune wrote:

Wow!  I feel like I've just gone to a prestigious clinic and gotten advice from a group of specialists!  Some really good responses!!  I am definitely going to go off the Voltaren oral tabs and see what happens.  I want to make sure these side effects are from the medication.

Then, I'm going to try the gel.  I would like to lose weight, too.  It's hard, though, to get any exercise, and I have practically NO metabolism.  But, I really need to keep working on this.

If I go back on oral medication, I will look into the PPI (Protonix).

Also, I still haven't explored the hylaronic injections.

The problem with knee replacements is that I'm 77 years old and have no one to take care of me.  Believe me, that's a big consideration.  If I were in a retirement home, I might reconsider.

Thanks so much for all your responses!!  I've taken a lot of notes and will bring these questions to my orthopedic specialist.

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@fortune  I was in the same situation as you when I had my knee replacement four years ago.  When I was discharged from the hospital, I was taken directly to a rehab hospital/nursing home place.  I had PT every day and was waited on hand and foot.  I stayed there two weeks and when I left was quite able to function on my own.  I still went to PT but drove myself there.  I didn't pay a cent for any of this...all covered by Medicare.

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Kachina, thank you so much for your input!  I guess I might be too old for this major surgery (I'm 77), since I will have to turn right around and do the other knee!  I sure do have a lot of excuses, don't I??!!

[NYC Susan]

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@mimi5775 wrote:

It comes in a gel. I have horrible GI probs from stress and long term use of NSAID's so was offred this as many docs do now use this gel.

Voltaren gel has to be used on a schedule [more or less] and every single day and the right amount or it will not work. It was 4 times a day for me.

I can't stress this enough to follow the instrctions or it will not work well or not at all.

It will come with a paper and you apply the gel amount as directed if you choose this.

I have had low back pain knee pain but from other things - I'm thin, do not have knee probs but they ache often at my age now nearing the 59 mark in Jan :/. Knee conditions are so common now [baby boomers] and more sports over the many years may have caused people damage - knee trouble can happen to anyone/any size.

Consider taking a PPI like Protonix or other if a Dr. recommends it with the Voltaren oral tabs as well...many docs say this to preserve the gastro lining. I'm a nurse...my sis a doc and I see this a lot...I'm on a PPI.

If you get an MRI and find you need a "new" knee but not now.....my hubby and g/f have had 100% positive results with Synvisc! a hyaluronic gel - yes like what is in skin products but of course different for injecting into knee to give that cushion that wears away. Please look into your options and do not go by what this one doctor says...just b/c he/she has a fear you should not suffer! look into Synvisc seriously. My hubby is a big guy and 67, he has lost much weight but it's never enough :/  has really bad arthritis  and only had it 3 times over 5 years he just had a hip replaced and will get the knee done later. My best!!! take care I have back issues and IT band [thigh/hip/tendon muscle] probs and sciatica pain day/night and Fibro so I know pain too well...it stinks! do not suffer. I can only use lidoderm patches and the gel and it helps, going to PT soon for my pain. Now and then take a Celbrex and it helps all over pain but my belly will burn even on my stomach meds. So I suffer...ugh. Take care now.

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It's absolutely not true that it has to be used on a regular schedule or it will not work.  It was prescribed for me to use as needed, and that's what I do.

Maybe it doesn't work for you unless you follow a schedule and use it every day, but that's certainly not the case for everyone.

I think we have to be really careful here about making generalizations, and giving medical advice.

[homedecor1]

I use Voltaren gel and absolutely can say I get alot of knee/hip pain relief from it.

I originally was on oral voltaren with bad side effects as listed.  Now, when my knee pain or brusitis act up in my hips - Voltaren gel is the answer.

I am back to walking (1 hour a day) without coming home in severe pain.

I was so glad my RA dr recommended it.  I know it was pretty expensive (after co-pay) but well worth it!  Much better than the ben-gay, etc. I was using.

Good Luck to you

[Kachina624]

@homedecor1.  You can get a big tube of Voltaren in Canada for $22, + s&h.  I usually order 3 or 4 at a time to take advantage of better s&h rates.  It's not the exact same formula as the U.S. prescription version but for me it works better...I've tried both.  A little goes a long way as I only use a nickel size dab once a day.

[harcon]

fortune, I know a lady who at 82 had both of her knees replaced at the same time.  After surgery she went to a rehab facility for a month since she lived alone.  She is now 85 and is doing great.

I'm in my 70's and had my knee replaced last year and I live alone. I had home care and since it was my left leg  I was able to drive to rehab.

So stop looking for excuses and get the knee done.  Unless you want to wait until the pain is so bad you can't even walk.  And dump your internest!

The gel won't help when you feel that bone on bone pain.

[Kachina624]

@harcon. @fortune  harcon is right fortune.  None of us is getting any younger and its best to do something about those knees before it's too late and you won't be able to live alone.  When you are alone, you have to take responsibility for your own health care.  There's no spouse (at least in my household) urging you on; you've got to motivate yourself.  Okay, I'm off my soapbox.

[RainCityWoman]

I have had experience with Voltaren oral meds and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.  I was given it for a neuroma between my toes. I took it for a week and the inflammation seemed to subside so I quit taking it. Then about three weeks later, the pain came back and I reintroduced Voltaren into my system. A few hours went by, and then all of a sudden I went into anaphyllactic  shock. My face swelled up, I turned red, and it felt lilke an elephant was sitting on my chest. The EMT's got there and did an ekg on me which proved I wasn't having a heart attack. By the time they had determined that, the shock symptoms had subsided and they didn't have to give me epinephrin. I called my doctor and she wanted to see me the next day, but warned me to buy benedryl to keep on hand just in case I had another attack. Now the only NSAID I ever take is aspirin. Shortly thereafter, my good friend was taking Voltaren for a foot issue, and she woke up in the middle of the night thinking she was having a heart attack. Her husband took her to the emergency room where they determined it was voltaren that caused the problem. I would say stay away from that drug. I've read articles about it since that indicate it produces false heart attack symptoms. Stick with aspirin and ice or cortisone for your knee.

I too have bone on bone knee problems, but I am resisting the surgury.