Diclofenac for Rheumatoid Arthritis User Reviews

• daw...
• March 4, 2013

"I have been taking diclofenac for 3 years for arthritis in my lower spine. When the doctor gave it to me, he said I would see a difference or not in a day or two. Immediately, I had relief and could rise from a chair, lean over a table, and pick up objects. Things I couldn't do for a year prior. If I miss a day of this medicine, the pain and stiffness return. I am very grateful."

• Mag...
• May 29, 2008

Diclofenac "I have rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and also arthritis in my neck and spine. I take the 100 mg tablet, and it works just fine for me. I take it with Zantac 150 to protect my stomach. I only need 1 pill a day. If in severe pain, I will also take a muscle relaxer called Norflex, and I am able to rest and function and get much-needed relief."

• bel...
• August 3, 2017

"I was diagnosed with RA 32 years ago. My initial treatment was Myocrisin (gold injections) and diclofenac during flare-ups. After 18 years, the Myocrisin was not working, so medication was changed. Since then, quality of life has not been good, and the only relief from pain was diclofenac, which settled things down in 1-2 days. Now told it was being discouraged from use, so taken off it. All the alternatives have not worked, so persuaded a new rheumatologist to reinstate it for a short while, and life was good again. I had no side effects from this drug. When a flare-up occurs, I take 2 in the day, 75 mg, and everything quietens down. Then it may be weeks before another attack. To me, it is a wonder drug. All drugs are a risk, and for me, this is good."

• Anonymous
• July 22, 2011

"I have rheumatoid arthritis for the past 20 years. I used to take diclofenac sodium 100 mg per day. When I got better, I stopped for 3 years. Now again started once in 3 days and now every night after food one 50 mg tablet. I have not experienced any side effects. Inflammation in many joints has reduced. I am 48 years old."

• Jai...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 18, 2018

"Hip pain due to arthritis plus cartilage is nil due to use, and the joint is worn out at 64 years old. Surgery prescribed. Meanwhile, hurts plenty and loss of balance when pain strikes like a knife mid-stride. Taken one diclofenac 100mg. 7 am single dose, 7 pm I still feel great and am less dependent upon a cane. Use this only when I feel very sore, tight, grinding hip joint, sharp pain. Feels as though I have glass marbles in a sock for a joint. Makes a noise loud enough for my husband to hear if I move the wrong way. Relief seems to be within a couple hours and is lasting all day. I take no other medication for arthritis."

• Blo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2013

"Was using 7.5 mg of Meloxicam when, after a period of about 3 years, it began to not prevent the arthritic pain and swelling that I had in my shoulders and ankles. My rheumatologist placed me on 75 mg of Diclofenac, and one day later, all symptoms subsided."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 18, 2012

Diclofenac "I take a combination of 50 mg Voltaren for the rheumatoid arthritis once per day and 200 mg Plaquenil for Sjögren's twice per day. I started with 100 mg Voltaren, but thought that was too much, so I had the doctor prescribe 50 mg twice per day. I just take one unless I need more."

• Dic...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 10, 2017

"I have been using Voltaren (diclofenac) for my RA for 27 years without any other strong medications. Yes, I lost my knee joints and had their replacement, however, for all these 27 years, I have never stopped working a full-time job as a teacher. The most recent dosage is 150 mg a day. If I had stronger pain, I did diclofenac shots to myself, and that helped a lot. What I noticed, the quality of the European diclofenac is much higher. After staying on the US production, or maybe because of aging (or both), I've started feeling side effects: GERD and stomachache at night. So it's time to find something else, though I am grateful to this medication for keeping me alive and productive for 27 years!"

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2022

Diclofenac "I have rheumatoid arthritis and was hoping Voltaren cream would help with joint pain because I can no longer take Meloxicam. Voltaren was recommended by my rheumatologist but did NOT WORK!!! Waste of my money."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2014

"My doc had me try diclofenac after bad side effects from piroxicam. The pain management with diclofenac is marginal at best for my arthritis and causes severe swelling in my feet and ankles, but I'm now having to take a diuretic because of it."

• RA ...
• July 18, 2009

"I have been on diclofenac 75 mg twice a day for 5 years. The first year I took it 2X each day. After the methotrexate began to kick in, I now only take it when needed when I get a flare-up. At the most, only about once per week, sometimes less. It has made a big difference in helping me manage the pain of rheumatoid arthritis."

• Cou...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 21, 2017

"I want to answer Bellestar above and give a comment. I wonder why she was told diclofenac is being discouraged from use. My son, who has a connective tissue disease and has severe joint issues, was given the drug years ago by the wonderful Pain Clinic Hospital. It was a miracle drug for his pain. He's had no side effects that we know of."

• The...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 6, 2019

"I was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 10. Doctors would prescribe strong opioid painkillers. I get more relief from the diclofenac gel applied to my joints and muscles than from any painkiller. Diclofenac gel is more effective for me than oxycodone, morphine, Dilaudid, etc."

• pls...
• December 2, 2009

"I could not keep the oral medication in my stomach long enough to do any good, so my rheumatologist prescribed a 5% diclofenac cream that was compounded at a local pharmacy at a much lower price than Voltaren. Problem solved."

• Sal...
• December 29, 2020

Diclofenac "I tried Voltaren once yesterday on my knee. I used less than the 2 inches recommended. In a short time, my face turned bright red like a sunburn. I am returning this to the store and will not use it again."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 25, 2019

"I am currently on this medication, diclofenac, and it does not work at all for my RA. Been taking it for several months. I have never taken any pain medications besides Tylenol or Ibuprofen out of the fact that I am a busy mom. My pain is 24/7. Will continue per my doctor's prescription, but I would not recommend it."

• DrB...
• May 27, 2008

"Pain and inflammation cleared up within 2 days. Took a couple of hours to take effect. I had to take it for a week at breakfast and lunch, now just using as needed. I have not noticed any side effects. With some of the medications I was given, I had severe muscle cramping, etc. Stronger pain medicine had almost no effect. Previously had much difficulty moving and sleeping. Diclofenac solved this for me. So far, this is a great medicine."

• Phy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 12, 2024

"I used the gel and it didn't really help but the 85mg oral has saved me! It worked almost immediately. I don't know what I'll do if I can't stay on it. If I stop taking it for 2 days, then I can hardly walk. I have hand and feet issues no one is really addressing, just take a pill. At least it works. No side effects but hoping it isn't damaging kidneys as I have read about that. I am 62 and healthy."

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2020

Diclofenac "This Voltaren is a total scam! Too expensive and doesn’t work. You have control over my online reviews and can delete at will... But you cannot control my mouth, and I will give reviews every chance I get!"

• ila...
• June 4, 2009

"I suffered severe pain in the ankle from gout. The pain left within 2 hours of taking diclofenac sodium. It was my first time getting gout and a very painful experience. I will always use this medicine in future occurrences."

• CIN...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2018

"I took 4 days to work, scared to take it after I read side effects, after serious nerve pain took it. I read feedback from users reassured me to go forward with the dose, helps sleep, only take 1 a day at 5 pm. 75 mg, lots of pain still with sleep, not the stabbing pain, serious pull-like pain, use ice, weight gain, little diarrhea at first, need surgery, will take till then, better than the Norco and ibuprofen, this works on nerves. 69 yrs old female"

• Anonymous
• December 7, 2009

"The medication worked for a few days, but this problem comes from a long time ago, surgery like 30 years ago. Now I have a fallen arch and very bad pain. The medicine works great, but I think something else needs to go with this. Thanks."

• Bar...
• August 28, 2021

"I have spondylitis and have been on diclofenac for 10 years. My doctor is trying to take me off and replacing it with gabapentin. After 1 week without diclofenac, I have gone from fully active to useless. My neck and lower back pain are intense, lots of stiffness, can barely move. Complete life changer."

• Old...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 28, 2012

Diclofenac "Awesome works better than any other anti-inflammatory. I couldn't walk if it weren't for them."

• Anonymous
• September 3, 2011

Diclofenac "I have rheumatoid arthritis and use Voltaren topically on my joints. This helps."