Voltaren Stories, Anyone? - Page 2

Desertdi · ‎03-13-2010

@hckynutjohn wrote:
@fortune wrote:
I'm between a rock and a hard place. I really had bad knee pain. Several orthopedic specialists. said I needed both knees replaced. My internist said he wouldn't have a knee replacement even if it meant he'd have to crawl everywhere.

One orthopedist gave me a RX for Voltaren. Wow! I could suddenly do a lot that I hadn't been able to do!! My knee pain was almost gone! Then came the side effects--gastro-intestinal bloating, cramps, and discomfort. It's bearable, but I can't sleep at night and am thinking of going to a lower dosage or getting another medicine that works as well but without the side effects!

Anyone have any experience with Voltaren? I think it comes in a topical gel and suppository, as well.

Many have to make choices when it comes to their health and or physical problems with the joints or spine. Nobody can make that decision for you.

If I based the "possible side effects" of the meds I have and am still taking? I could tell you a choice I had to make and it just may be the cause of my death.

I had/have 2 choices and I chose the one that would allow me to live as close to "my normal life" as possible. At the same time, it may be what kills me.

As for your knee pain? Only you can decide which option is worse for you, the knee or your gastrointestinal tract.

And then there are "decisions" that defy reason. My cousin's m.d. said that losing weight (like maybe the first 100 #'s) would greatly reduce her knee pain. She would rather eat cheesecake.

♥Surface of the Sun♥

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

Ive had one knee replacement and need another but the thing that causes me the most grief is my back. I've got everything wrong with it and have tried everything multiple doctors including two pain management specialists have suggested without any improvement in pain. I can't stand more than 5 min on a good day.

A friend gave me a tube of Voltaren Emugel which they sell OTC at Walmart in Canada. I'd tried all the ointments, sprays and creams and nothing helped at all. I've tried all sorts of narcotics...not a dent in the pain. If I apply a small dab of the Voltaren, sit on the bed 15 or 20 minutes until it's absorbed, I can then get up and move until I'm limbered up enough to start my day. Its effects only last an hour or so but some days that's all I need.

i bought a big supply when I was in Canada two years ago but I've also ordered it from a Canadian pharmacy. You don't need a script unless you want to get some in the U.S.

my doctor gave my a script for a Lidocaine ointment that cost my insurer $890, and it doesn't work nearly as well as the Voltaren.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

sfnative · ‎03-10-2010

@fortune wrote:
I'm between a rock and a hard place. I really had bad knee pain. Several orthopedic specialists. said I needed both knees replaced. My internist said he wouldn't have a knee replacement even if it meant he'd have to crawl everywhere.

One orthopedist gave me a RX for Voltaren. Wow! I could suddenly do a lot that I hadn't been able to do!! My knee pain was almost gone! Then came the side effects--gastro-intestinal bloating, cramps, and discomfort. It's bearable, but I can't sleep at night and am thinking of going to a lower dosage or getting another medicine that works as well but without the side effects!

Anyone have any experience with Voltaren? I think it comes in a topical gel and suppository, as well.

Question: When you take the Voltaren, are you taking it directly after meals containing a major portion of food? This can make huge difference for some folks. Taking it with just a glass of milk or a few crackers isn't enough: Major Food.

Also, re the remark your doc made to you re knee replacement surgery, just forget it andseriously think about getting another doc.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

The Canadian pharmacy where I've purchased Voltaren is called pharmacymix.com. They get the order to you in 1-2 weeks. It comes in regular and extra strength. I've tried both and can't tell any difference but you get a lot more for about the same price with the regular.

This stuff is non-greasy and has a mild smell that dissipates as soon as it's applied. It dries instantly too.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

mimi5775 · ‎03-10-2010

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.

My son went to Heaven 4/15/2018
I love and miss him so very much. God Bless you my dear Nicky

June222 · ‎06-15-2015

@fortune Interesting about your internest saying that about he never would have knee replacement and would rather CRAWL ON THE FLOOR than have joint replacement.

I have had both knees and both hips replaced....I am 60.

My internest also said at my last checkup just last week... I WAS TO HAVE NO MORE SURGERY. I found her statement to be rather alarming! If I did not have the joint replacements I would be in a wheel chair right now. I told her that I guess she would need to have walked in my shoes before telling me that I have had too much surgery..... I do not think she appreciated that comment... but I said it anyway.

I really doubt your internest would want to be crawling to each patient if he had knees that bad. Don't you? He would have knee replacement. How would he do his job crawling on the floor.... matter of fact, you can not really crawl at all as that is too painful when your knees totally go out. I know from experience!

Yes, surgery is not simple or to be taken lightly.... but, I suffered with knee and hip pain for over 20 years... applied everything topical.. ingested tons of asprin and tylenol... enough to eat my stomach and kill my liver... just to TRY stop the pain.

Now after joint replacement( my last hip was just done on July 6th a month ago) I am no longer taking any pain meds, I am getting back to life again without living every day in pain. I feel almost human again! Back to walking and living!

You have to decide quality of life here when you are dealing with daily pain and such. Oh, yes I have the Voltaren get which I appy to my upper back and shoulders where I also have arthritis... it can help. But, like any anti inflamatory like asprin, you have to be careful how much you use. Pain meds are not for constant use... just temporary use..... you can't fix the problem with pain relievers forever..... I think your internist so, was wrong to give his jaded viewpoint against joint replacement..... . That is not his job. My internest was out of line as well. And I told her so.

Vivian · ‎03-11-2010

I've been active all my life, all high impact sports, and now I have osteoarthritis in both knees. I cannot take Voltaren or any other NSAID because I developed ulcers when I took ibuprofen years ago. I've tried Voltaren gel and it hasn't helped. I had an MRI last week and see an orthopedist this week. It looks like I have a torn meniscus, which won't be fixed with surgery if it's arthritis related.

My knee hurts like crazy. It's extremely frustrating. I haven't been told that I need knee replacement...yet. My husband had one knee done a few years ago and it was a long ordeal for him because he's a miserable patient. I can understand why that internist said what he did. On the other hand, my husband says his fake knee feels very good.

eddyandme · ‎09-24-2011

I've had voltaren - herniated disc. Loved the stuff experienced no problems. A friend of mine just had a second knee replacement - no problems. She did tell me that therapy was more painful for the first one, but now they've improved the therapy and eliminated the painful part finding not to be beneficial. IMO, the voltaren will just ease your pain: the knee replacement will resolve the problem causing the pain.

DrKelli · ‎03-10-2010

I have severe arthritis in my shoulder and this summer, I developed horrible tendonitis in 3 of the 4 shoulder tendons. Volaren took that inflammation down within a week and although I still have the shoulder pain from the arthritis, it isn't nearly as severe. It has done wonders for me.