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Diclofenac for Ankylosing Spondylitis User Reviews

Brand names: Voltaren, Cataflam, Cambia, Lofena, Zorvolex, Zipsor Xiclo

Rating: 7.7

Diclofenac has an average rating of 7.7 out of 10 from a total of 18 reviews for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. 61% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 6% reported a negative experience.

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Reviews for Diclofenac

  • Wol...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 9, 2021

"Works better than hydrocodone + acetaminophen for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) pain. I take one 100 mg diclofenac SR, and after 30 minutes, the pain goes slowly away and I can move my neck (cracks and pops). Also, it relieves pain almost the whole day, best pain reliever I have found for AS."

10 / 10
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20 Report
  • Kbk...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • March 4, 2013

Diclofenac "I have been taking Voltaren for ankylosing spondylitis for six months, and it really keeps me fully functional. If I come off it for a couple of days, my joints start to really ache. I had torturous night pain for a while as I got a spontaneous fracture in my pelvis due to swelling in my bones, and Voltaren was the only thing that worked. I've had no noticeable side effects."

10 / 10
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40 Report
  • Cap...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • May 15, 2015

"Absolutely changed my life. I got progressively worse until I would become so stiff after sitting for fifteen minutes that I would need help standing. While nobody who sees me walking would mistake me for an Olympic athlete, I can move about freely and almost without pain. The best thing it gave me was uninterrupted sleep. Until I started taking this medication, I could not sleep for more than a few hours without getting up with tears in my eyes from the pain and walking around while chewing aspirin."

10 / 10
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24 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • St ...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 20, 2017

Diclofenac "I have ankylosing spondylitis in my heels, fingers, shoulders, neck, shoulder blades, hips, front ribs, and spine. It started in my lower spine 42 years ago. After recently having had a bacterial lung infection for 5 weeks, and walking about 3 km when I was well again, the pain all over was excruciating. I had a Voltaren injection 5 days ago and have been pain-free since then. No side effects at all."

8 / 10
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19 Report
  • Mel...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 4, 2014

Diclofenac "The first couple of days, this did nothing for me, but by the third day, I really noticed less pain and stiffness. However, I had to stop taking it when I started having severe stomach aches, headaches, and blood pressure spiking up within an hour of taking it."

7 / 10
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25 Report

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  • Lou...
  • September 16, 2015

"I use Voltaren since I was 30 years old due to ankylosing spondylitis pain. I am now 56. I used to take 100 mg SR per day. For the last 3 years, I have reduced to 1x50 mg per day and really feel very comfortable. I found it very effective, and I didn't notice any side effects yet. I think that Voltaren helped me to keep my ankylosis under control. The doctor told me to avoid using it for so long, but the pain was coming back the next day. I don't know what problems I may face in the future, but my quality of life is good and I am happy."

10 / 10
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21 Report
  • ABC...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 31, 2023

"I've had chronic neck pain and have had several medications prescribed and a steroid injection with chiropractic and physical therapy with no luck. Took one pill and an hour later, my pain level went from an 8 to a 3 with no side effects. 37-year-old male."

10 / 10
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4 Report

More FAQ

  • Hur...
  • October 11, 2021

"I have been on diclofenac for 10 years plus. I woke in the night the first time I took it with no neck pain. I am currently off for a week prior to surgery on my knee. Rheumy gave me prednisone but it doesn’t help. This drug makes my life normal, without it, I am a cripple. I also take sulfasalazine but don’t notice that it helps."

9 / 10
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8 Report
  • ozz...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 29, 2018

"Great drug for easing the pain, but not a long-term solution. It is so frustrating when doctors have no idea how to treat AS. I have tried diclofenac, and it is brilliant and completely cured me with no noticeable side effects, however, long-term it wears away your stomach wall and is not good for you. I weaned off it with painkillers and regular exercise and have one every time I have a flare-up to even me out again. Will discuss Enbrel with my doctor as a lot of people have recommended."

8 / 10
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13 Report
  • Sus...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 13, 2019

"I started taking 50 mg diclofenac twice a day for neck pain (arthritis). It has helped my pain immensely, but I have experienced periodic times of feeling a bit 'off', more tired, and some periodic heart fluttering. I wonder since it is a time-release pain reliever that when it kicks in, that is when I feel off or the heart flutter. I have not had any stomach pain, and it definitely helps my neck pain. My doctor wants me to try Relafen/Nabumetone to compare them."

7 / 10
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7 Report
  • efa...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 1, 2014

"Before being diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, I was treated for general chronic back pain. I was started on ibuprofen, but had to up the dosage. My GP changed me to diclofenac (50 mg 2x daily), but I didn't find it effective. I went back to 100 mg 4x daily ibuprofen, which was much more effective for me. I had no side effects while taking it."

4 / 10
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10 Report
  • gar...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • March 12, 2023

"Unfortunately, I could no longer take it due to severe stomach and esophagus issues, though it seemed to help some. I have ended up with a few hospital stays due to bleeding ulcers. I no longer can use NSAIDs as the lining of my stomach is nearly eaten, so please be careful with NSAIDs. Watch for sharp stomach pains and constant reflux, and of course, you know to go to the ER immediately if you have bleeding. I have advanced AS with organ involvement."

6 / 10
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2 Report
  • Tie...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 5, 2016

"My trial with Diclofenac has been approximately eight weeks now, and it has eased my lower back pain. However, my liver enzymes have spiked, my urine output is in large volumes, and my upper back has an irritable rash cascading on it. I failed the trial due to my body trying to tell me something about this medication."

4 / 10
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7 Report
  • rob...
  • September 30, 2008

Diclofenac "It's the best for pain, and I had no problems at all with my stomach or anything else."

10 / 10
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66 Report
  • mah...
  • September 1, 2011

Diclofenac "It really eases the pain."

9 / 10
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16 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 8, 2024

"It cleaned out my bowels! But, it's great for all my bone problems, arthritis, neck, back, fingers, joints. Stay with low doses. It works great."

10 / 10
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2 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 11, 2012

Diclofenac "Offered no pain relief at all."

1 / 10
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13 Report
  • Anonymous
  • November 2, 2012

"Gave me pain relief, but also terrible diarrhea."

6 / 10
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6 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.

Learn more about Ankylosing Spondylitis

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Symptoms and treatments