Does everyone know that Voltaren Gel is not suggested for rib pain?

The medication can be used in the chest, but in the costo- chondral joints which is the joint between the sternum(breast bone) and the rib cage which is your pain from. Use one application 3 to 4 times a day as needed. Amount is one squirt or 1 1/2. I have rx this medicine many times for the issue you gave with success. The answer I received from my MD. Still don't know what to do.

Novartis isn't going to tell you to use it somewhere they haven't tested it, because of legal responsibility. If he's prescribing it to lots of people he should know how it will work and he has found it safe.

I am still not happy about using it. I already have mitral valve polapse, not sure of spelling, and am not looking for more problems. Also figuring out where the the spot is between the sternum and rib cage is something I will have a problem with. I do not have any medical training. Tried looking up a picture and all it did was get me more confused :( Am thinking I will live with the pain.

I try not to take any NSAIDS because I get ulcers very easily. I have intercostal chondritis. Things like biofreeze and aspercreme help somewhat. The space is just off your sternum. If you run your finger down your breastbone, on the side and just tip it off toward your ribs, you'll be over it. For me its easy, when I hit the right place it hurts, lol.

kaismama is correct in saying that the manufacturer wont tell you to use it somewhere it was never tested on for legal reasons but drugs are used "off label" all the time. Voltaren is no worse for you than any other NSAIDS like ibuprofen, naproxen, Celebrex etc. It is your body though and you need to decide if the benefit is worth the risk. Your Dr apparently thinks so but it is not his body. You can always ask for something different if you are too uncomfortable with it.

For now it has eased somewhat. At night I tuck a pillow on my side, next to my ribs which takes some of the pressure off of them. I try not to take to many meds, if I can avoid it. Daily aspirin with my other prescription meds for other issues and occasionally Tylenol for headaches, etc. Cannot take motrin and most antibiotics since I get rotten reactions. Once took a cough medicine pill, think they called it pearls, I have the real name on my allergy list and broke out in hives. LOL

That cough medicine is tessalon pearls! A lot of people have allergies to those it seems. They do work well for those who can take them though. Trying to take the least amount of medications as you can is a good practice but do remember that the longer you wait to take a pain medication, the more severe the pain gets, then it takes MORE medication to knock the pain back than if you take it at the first sign of pain. One usually takes less medicine if you get a handle on pain before it gets too severe. I know that a lot of people wait until they cant stand the pain any longer but that is really self defeating because you can wait too long then the pain medicine wont work well. Pain meds are best taken at the point where you realize that you are probably going to need to take something! Costochondritis is a very painful inflammatory condition and it is hrd to treat.

I know you have good intentions about pain and last night was not good, but I am being very careful and will see what happens. Thanks for your input!

Dzoo is right about taking meds before the pain is bad or it won't work. That's a basic principle of pain management.

Unfortunately, I don't to well with most pain meds. I know she is correct but will take my chances at this point. I am more upset with my Dtr right now.