I recently injured my lower back, left side, lumbar area. I tried Soma: no help. 800 mg ibuprofin twice daily: it helped but it's hard on your stomach.

Then my wife (an ortho PA) brought something home for me. It's a topical cream called Voltaren Gel (diclofenac sodium topical gel, 1%).

I scoffed at first cause it's just a topical cream. Then I reinjured my back (working on our flagstone patio).

I let her apply a patch soaked with the stuff. Within the hour, I felt significant relief. I thought maybe, though, the relief was cause of the ibuprofin.

So for the last two days I've been using nothing but the cream. I'm amazed to say the least.

I just got finished landscaping which involved moving landscape stones. Plus bending over to pull weeds. A few days ago I couldn't even put on my socks.

The instructions say it's for arthritis (hands, knees, back), tendonitis. But mine was muscular.

It's prescription only.

Anyway, you might want to give it a try.

Thank you for the heads up on that. I eat Ibuprofin like candy. I'll ask my Doctor about it next visit.
Good info, thanks.

re: ibuprofen:

ever hear of the prostaglandin tree?

Thanks.
I wrote down the info you provided and will ask my doctor about it. I have chronic lower back pain from a disc rupture (12 years ago), resulting in a herniated disc (L-4/L-5). Combine this with the dehydrated and compressed L-5/S-1 disc, spinal stenosis, and arthritis. I used to eat ibuprofin like candy, but as mentioned above, it burns holes in your stomach. Constant pain over the last 12 years has really put a damper on enjoying activities. If there is a chance that this works, I am willing to try it.

WG840

Prostaglandin?

Isn't that a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction?

Thanks for the info tomhenry. I'll have to check it out.

rd

I divorced my chronic aches and pains. Felt better ever since.

Jim

I have heard about people using DMSO for joint pain.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethyl_sulfoxide

I guess if it is good enough for horses.....it couldn't hurt the old mares.

41

Thanks for the info. I'll also speak to my Doctor.

I have been taking Voltaren tabs for several years and is has worked OK..Just found out that it is messing up the stomach lining,not good..
Got to take something else that is buffered..
Didn't know about a cream ,will have to ask about it..

I fell off a cliff about 15 years ago and fracured L-1 vertibrea. It was a stupid accident while flying RC Slope Gliders. Did get a great ride hanging from a cable off of the LA County Sheriff helocopter though .

Anyway, back pain has been a way of life for the past 15 years and while I don't take motrin often I take alot when I do. I will also ask my doctor about your suggestion. Thanks for the heads up.

quote:

ever hear of the prostaglandin tree?

quote:

john traveler- Prostaglandin?

Very technical but it does explain a lot, from pain relief to burning a hole in your stomach..

http://www.gremi.asso.fr/images/coxcasc.gif
the text..
http://www.gremi.asso.fr/mediator_inflammation-uk.html

Probably more info than you wanted...

My newest pain reliver is cheap and has no side effects - peanut oil. The wife was reading an article that indicated peanut oil applied to a sore area, joint or muscle pain, would give relief. We both laughed and later decided to try it and damn, it worked. The wife used it on a vertibrae in her neck and I used it on my torn rotator cuff. Maybe it was all in our head but the pain was gone. Her sister has also tried it for arthoritis and also got relief. Try it, you will like it, and you can use the rest to fry some potatoes.

quote:

Originally posted by arkypete:
I divorced my chronic aches and pains. Felt better ever since.

Jim

+1

I hurt my lower back on May 31. Vicodin doesn't do anything for me, Flexeril worked the first 2 times and then lost effectiveness. I got straightened out at the chiropractor and he gave me a tube of Biofreeze ointment. Not sure if it's better than any other product that uses menthol, but it seems to help. Workman's comp is paying for it so I'll try anything I guess.