# Has anyone here used Voltaren Gel, and if so, what was your experience? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 1, 2020, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737 "2020-03-01T04:03:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Time\_Like\_Tears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df705f/32.png) [@Time\_Like\_Tears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Time_Like_Tears)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737/21 "2020-03-02T22:50:31Z")
A differing opinion, I found it to be nearly useless for nerve based pain caused by neuropathy in my legs and lower back. So YMMV and I will assume that the dosage and root cause of the pain itself will play a role in its efficacy. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737/22 "2020-03-03T00:31:45Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > The FDA announced that [it would be going OTC a week or so ago](https://www.healthline.com/health-news/prescription-arthritis-drug-voltaren-available-over-the-counter). I’m not sure if it’s yet available for sale OTC, however. After this thread came up I checked the local walmart and they don’t carry it yet. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737/23 "2020-03-03T00:36:56Z")
> [@Time\_Like\_Tears](#): > > A differing opinion, I found it to be nearly useless for nerve based pain caused by neuropathy in my legs and lower back. So YMMV and I will assume that the dosage and root cause of the pain itself will play a role in its efficacy. NSAIDs are rarely useful for neuropathic pain, so this makes sense. I stopped by the pharmacy I use this afternoon, and the pharmacist said that she hadn’t heard about it going OTC and that an OTC preparation was not yet available from their wholesaler. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737/24 "2020-03-03T20:19:30Z")
In the meantime, my BFF, who works at an independent pharmacy in another state, and I were chatting on Facebook and he said they stock it. I just might have him buy me a tube and ship it, and then reimburse him if I can’t find it here. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2020, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737/25 "2020-03-03T21:05:07Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > NSAIDs are rarely useful for neuropathic pain, so this makes sense. Voltaren can have mild impact, but not much. > **[Effect of 1.5% Topical Diclofenac on Clinical Neuropathic Pain](https://pubs.asahq.org/anesthesiology/article/123/1/191/12450/Effect-of-1-5-Topical-Diclofenac-on-Clinical)** > > AbstractBackground:. Neuropathic pain is a condition resulting from injury to the peripheral and/or central nervous system. Despite extensive research over the last several decades, neuropathic pain remains difficult to manage.Methods:. The authors... > [@](#): > > Results:: Twenty-eight subjects completed the study (12 male and 16 female) with the mean age of 48.8 yr. After 2 weeks of topical application, subjects in 1.5% TD group showed lower overall visual pain score compared with placebo group (4.9 [1.9] vs. 5.6 [2.1], difference: 0.8; 95% CI, 0.1 to 1.3; P = 0.04) as well as decreased burning pain (2.9 [2.6] vs. 4.3 [2.8], difference, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.2 to 2.6; P = 0.01). There were no statistical differences in constant pain, shooting pain, or hypersensitivity over the painful area between the groups. For me, for whatever reason, lidocaine did nothing for my nerve pain and thats usually a first line OTC treatment for neuropathic pain. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2020, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737/26 "2020-03-04T13:32:09Z")
My roomie was a guinea pig for Voltren for arthritic knee pain back in the early 2000s. I currently have a scrip for it for the same. She noted, and the office running the study after checking the responses showed that it works for you, or it doesn’t [just like naprosyn might as well be blue m&ms to me.] I like the clean scent, not overly medical or flowery, it goes on and absorbs in. Currently the tube comes with an application dose guide. And I will second not to get it in the eyes…and for a number of years I used it on my lower back in lieu of the 2 middle of the day doses of my opioid. [back has been consistantly degenerating, and we changed the meds and voltaren no longer really works in lieu of the opioids. _sigh_] ---
**Author:** ![Time\_Like\_Tears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df705f/32.png) [@Time\_Like\_Tears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Time_Like_Tears)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2020, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737/27 "2020-03-07T21:51:53Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > NSAIDs are rarely useful for neuropathic pain, so this makes sense. This is why I was rather grumpy that I was prescribed it, continually…and currently have a stockpile of 6.5 tubes leftover. I did hope that it might do SOMETHING though, since I have reacted very poorly to neurontin and lyrica ☹ The only areas that it might help me, I can’t reach at all on my own. Near constant spasticity is doing a Montgomery Burns-like number on my upper back lately, and that’s getting pretty painful. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2020, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737/28 "2020-03-08T17:45:04Z")
I use Voltaren when I need to, and I like it. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2020, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737/29 "2020-03-08T21:47:39Z")
It works for my osteoarthritis. Be sure to let it dry before covering it with clothing or laying down and thus covering the affected area. The reccommended dose (2 grams) is far too much for one knee or shoulder. One gram is plenty. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737/30 "2020-03-09T04:19:41Z")
> [@Time\_Like\_Tears](#): > > This is why I was rather grumpy that I was prescribed it, continually…and currently have a stockpile of 6.5 tubes leftover. I did hope that it might do SOMETHING though, since I have reacted very poorly to neurontin and lyrica ☹ > > The only areas that it might help me, I can’t reach at all on my own. Near constant spasticity is doing a Montgomery Burns-like number on my upper back lately, and that’s getting pretty painful. [Lotion applicator](https://www.topbestproreview.com/top-10-best-back-lotion-applicators/). Though I am oddly flexible enough I can manage to fingertip touch my entire back, a result of doing physioterror for certain types of joint and back damage =) > [@Mr.Duality](#): > > It works for my osteoarthritis. Be sure to let it dry before covering it with clothing or laying down and thus covering the affected area. The reccommended dose (2 grams) is far too much for one knee or shoulder. One gram is plenty. I have noticed the same. My doc agreed and just said to use the dose that works for me. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737/31 "2020-03-09T22:45:56Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > I use Voltaren when I need to, and I like it. Gods forgive me, I read this in my head as a Katy Perry parody. And now, you all shall too!! Muah-hahaha. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/tAp9BKosZXs/maxresdefault.jpg "Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl (Official Music Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAp9BKosZXs) ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2020, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737/32 "2020-05-27T19:19:00Z")
In the meantime, I stopped by Walgreens and bought a smaller tube. I put a little dot on that thumb joint at bedtime, before applying my wrist brace, and it seems to be working. Any extra on my fingers gets rubbed on my sore knee. The box has a little guide indicating how much gel contains 1 or 2 grams, and how to apply it (and how NOT to apply it). I had been using Blue Emu in the meantime, and that seemed to be little better than placebo. It did make my skin very soft, however. ---
**Author:** ![Turki-lurki](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turki-lurki/32/7168_2.png) [@Turki-lurki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turki-lurki)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737/33 "2020-05-28T03:29:33Z")
It is good. I know folks that tried to design a product to compete with it. No luck. It works quickly and lasts a reasonable period. ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2020, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737/34 "2020-05-28T16:47:38Z")
Voltaren has worked phenomenally well for my wife but make SURE you get “extra strength”. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2020, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737/35 "2020-07-06T02:34:01Z")
Update: Over the past couple of weeks, I noticed that I was bruising more easily, and that I’m working at the library again doesn’t seem to account for it. Therefore, I’m going to stop using the Voltaren, since nothing else has changed med-wise, and see what happens. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2020, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737/36 "2020-07-06T04:39:57Z")
It is an NSAID, and it does cause blood thinning, just like other NSAIDs … so the bruising may not be surprising. But dropping Voltaren will most likely resolve the bruising issue in a couple weeks. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2020, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737/37 "2020-07-06T09:35:10Z")
I picked some up online since I couldn’t get a massage and my elbow was acting up. Two days of application took care of the problem and my arm has been fine for over a week now. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2020, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737/38 "2020-07-07T04:11:06Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > It’s mostly my large thumb joints, not my fingertips. Have you tried glucosamine/chondroitin ? You can buy it cheap at warehouse stores. The pain reduction is quite noticeable for the arthritis in my hands. It takes about a week for it to work and if i go off it for a week it’s pain city. Since I type all day it is a matter of job preservation. Ibuprofen wouldn’t touch it. I’t seems specifically helpful for arthritis in my hands. I take 2 tablets of 1500/1200 mg strength. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2020, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737/39 "2020-07-07T04:44:31Z")
I’m going to do the best I can to refrain from knitting or crocheting for a while, and let everything heal. In the meantime, my two front teeth keep going numb, and I’m unsure if I should see my doctor, or my dentist. I’m leaning towards the former because this has signaled a sinus infection in the past. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2020, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737/40 "2020-07-07T06:13:59Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Have you tried glucosamine/chondroitin ? 2 of my rheumatologists have told me that it may or may not work - it doesn’t work for all their patients but it is generally regarded as safe unless you are allergic to something in the ingredients - so by all means go ahead and buy it, and try it for a month and see if it works. So I did, and I will say that I am one that it does not work for, my mom swore by it, because it worked for her. What I love for my hands is the warm wax bath thing … my esthetician has one in her store and she uses it to prep hands for manicures, but it is fantastic [I had commented on how I loved the warmth of the wax when I got waxed so she had me stick my hand in the wax bath … and it was as wonderful as she said. They have them for at [home use]([15 Best Paraffin Wax Baths: Your Buying Guide (2023)](https://heavy.com/health/2018/04/best-paraffin-wax-bath-treatment-machine/)) =) ] [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-used-voltaren-gel-and-if-so-what-was-your-experience/848737.md?page=3)