Diclofenac

[Tilly2]

I know I keep harping on about my neck but it's been really bad over the last few days.

Last night I found an old packet of diclofenac which I'd had prescribed for me years ago when I pulled the muscles in my back. It had one 75mg tablet left in it. I took the tablet and within ten minutes the pain eased and this morning it's fine. It's like magic.

My question is, is there anything equivalent to this which I can get from the chemist? I have some Voltarol Pain ezze but they are 25mg and they don't do anything. It says take one four times a day but could I take three at a time?

[Mosaic]

This is going to sound like sqad...but 1x ibuprofren 500mg has the same effect for me, plus I can buy it over the counter, and unlike diclofenac it doesn't give me indigestion as a side-effect.

[grasscarp]

Why not take the packet to the chemist and ask the dispenser.

[Tilly2]

Thank you mosaic and grasscarp. Ibuprofen doesn't seem to work on me in the same way.

I have asked the dispenser and they don't seem to have anything, which I can buy, which is stronger than the Voltarol.
It looks as if I might have to visit my GP and request some more diclofenac.
Thanks, anyway.

[grasscarp]

Only problem is these days you phone up for an appointment and they give one in about 2 weeks time. Maybe where you live it is not so bad.

[Tilly2]

It's not too bad here grasscarp but If I can't get an appointment on Monday I'm going to have to wait until Thursday, I suppose.

I'l have a hunt around the house for some more tablets.

[Eve]

I've asked before and been told the Voltarol tablets were the strongest ones over the counter but they don't have very much diclofenac in it (also according to my rhumatologist).

Could you get to a walk in centre?

[jno]

I used to be on diclofenac regularly until my doctor said there had been some (very small) link to heart attacks and took me off them.

[Sqad]

I thought that diclofenac is exactly the same as voltarol.

[jno]

that's two net doctors who think this

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/seniors-health/medicines/voltarol-tablets.html

[lcg]

squad....it is. if you can't get a quick appointment, tilly....see if you can buy a couple of packets of voltarol and take 50mg three times a day + paracetamol until you see your doctor. nowt wrong with that x

[Ann]

This also begs the question why are people being taken off Ibuprofen if they work so well? As Mosiac says they work so well for some people. My 88 year old Mum was on them for years and really kept her arthritis at bay and she was in no pain at all. Since her doc retired she has a new one who "tutted" when he saw she took them daily on repeat prescription, and whipped her off them - maybe its physcological but she has been in pain ever since and is just furious she cant take them when anyone can just buy them over the counter, Mum took the usual 200mg strength, so maybe it's because she is on Amiodorone? Could Sqad please advise?

[Tilly2]

Thank you for the link, jno.

[Sqad]

Ann....have to go out for 45 mins...will answer on my return......

[Tilly2]

Thank you all for your help and advice.

[Eve]

I'm a bit miffed I have been told I can't take anti-inflammatories with being on methotrexate - and other stuff - a pharmacist a few weeks ago said I couldn't have decongestant/sinus stuff either which is crap as come down with a horrible head cold yesterday and could do with some.

Hope you get some good pain relief that works soon Tilly, diclofenac is great - I used to take it when I had gallbladder pain and it was the only thing that touched it.

[Sqad]

Anne....I'm back.
These following comments are my own opinion and may not be the majority view. Yes Ibuprofen and Diclofenac are similar drugs in nature and in their action on the body being non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (Nsaids)
BUT....they do have a slightly different action and bodily response in regard to relief of pain.
Generally speaking:
Ibuprofen is superior in the acute musculo-skeletal disorders..e,g muscle tears, sprains and post traumatic pain.

Diclofenac scores with the degenerative disorders.....cervical spondylosis. lumbo vertebral degenerative problems, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in the initial stages.

However if one is on a drug and it is working well, then it is, in my opinion an unsympathetic doctor who will change this regime.

Can you buy Voltarol tablets over the counter? If so, then this is the answer to Tilly's problem.

It may well be that in the case of Tilly, then one dose will keep her pain free throughout the day......"juggling" with the dose is the key here.

[Tilly2]

Thank you, sqad. Yes you can buy voltarol but they are very expensive. £6.30 for nine 25mg tablets.

[Sqad]

Tilly....well that is your answer......buy them over the counter.....see how long one tablet will give you pain relief, then return to your GP with your info.

[Tilly2]

Thanks again, everyone.

[Ann]

Thanks Sqad - so in your opinion do you agree that my Mum should NOT be taking Ibuprofen as she is on Amiodorone (there seems to be a campaign in UK to get patients off Ibuprofen - stomach lining bleeding or possibility of strokes I can't remember which) but most GPs panicked after the health report came out and took all elderly people off them. Mum has had some arthritis pain in her knee recently so I told her to take a couple of Ibuprofen (sqad's expert advice ;) as I didn't think one or two would hurt now and again. It seemed to help anyway. Thanks for your reply Sqad. Happy New Year to you and Mrs Sqad!