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Beth I suspect what you got was maybe not Diclofenac also called Voltaren gel, but if it was beware! . We just spent time reading about it on drugs.com etc. it's a powerful drug even when applied to skin. ESP if used in large amounts or long term. Be very cautious if you got the real thing with that drug:Diclofenac. It can cause heart attack, bleeding (cautions before surgery , gastrointestinal pain and bleeding. When I looked it up as Voltaren on Amazon I got a similar name product: Velatrin or Fenetrez. Those are vastly different in that they have NO Diclofenac , the active ingredient in Voltaren. There are real good reasons Voltaren is by RX!. Diclofenac is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Like taking RX size doses of Motrin or Naprosyn. And Voltaren is well absorbed through skin.
Velda

I read all the contraindications. It was recommended by my doctor and my sister's doctor. I'm not even using the recommended dosage. I don't like taking any drugs. But I used natural remedies and they didn't work. This is helping, so I'll continue doing what I am for now. I promise I won't abuse it.

BTW, I've not seen a prescription drug without side effects that scare the bejesus out of me. This is the only one I'm taking, and at a very low dosage.

Beth, I know you know about it. I wanted to make sure others seeing your post didn't automatically assume its a benign medication/ cream. Always good to do your research ahead. Hope it helps. At least now I know why it's so pricey here. I jumped on it from your recommend/mention. One I researched I knew Mel could never use it due to its anti-inflammatory content. Gotta admit I was hoping it was a natural medicine.
Velda

Bethers wrote:I read all the contraindications. It was recommended by my doctor and my sister's doctor. I'm not even using the recommended dosage. I don't like taking any drugs. But I used natural remedies and they didn't work. This is helping, so I'll continue doing what I am for now. I promise I won't abuse it.

BTW, I've not seen a prescription drug without side effects that scare the bejesus out of me. This is the only one I'm taking, and at a very low dosage.

Beth, I had plantar faciaitis last year and thought I was going to die. I found these inserts on Amazon and they did wonders for my foot. Even found them at my local grocery store. You might try a combination of both the cream and an insert.

I was going to post something about this also because when my doctor put me on it I had to stop taking my anti-inflammatory drug celebrex you should not take two intiflammatories at the same time and yes use caution when using this if your self medicating .... I only used it for a short time because it was more important for me to be taking celebrex for my psoriatic arthritis ...

Laura,
You are the second person recommending the gel inserts. I just ordered a two pack of these from Amazon. Not walking isn't an option, so hopefully these work for me like they did for you.

I have a tube of Volfenac -Diclofenaco Gel that I picked up in Mexico that someone in our group recommended. Is this the same thing you all are talking about. All the information is in Spanish. The ingredients are
Cada 100g contienen:
Diclofenaco dietiamonio 1.16g
Excipiente cbp 100.0g

Probably a good thing we never used it since I don't know what we have.

Martha

Bethers wrote:Laura,
You are the second person recommending the gel inserts. I just ordered a two pack of these from Amazon. Not walking isn't an option, so hopefully these work for me like they did for you.

I hope they work, too. I'm on my feet from 8:15-2:38 five days a week. Not walking wasn't an option for me, either. Between these inserts and some expensive running shoes (Asics), over about 6 months I was able to gradually wean myself off of the inserts. I felt it mostly in the arch of my foot at first, which I was told was natural, but the relief for my heel was almost immediate. I still wear expensive running shoes as a preventative measure. So far, so good.

Please consider getting some good shoes with substantial cushioning, and try to keep them on even when you're home. Crocs were helpful for me at home -- enough cushion and support to walk from the living room to the kitchen.

Healing the inflammation is a process, and what might work for one person might not for another.

Laura

Martha, that's what we're talking about.

Laura, I usually wear good shoes. I just have a tendency of keeping them beyond their time. I have high arches and have had problems because of that over the years. I guess I'm lucky this is the first time for this issue.

Best shoe advice I ever got in recent years was to always have multiple pairs of good shoes and rotate daily. It takes 48 hours for shoe padding to completely recover. Second best advise was to replace shoes every six months of wear. It saved me on knee surgery. Following the rules and getting properly measured and fitted shoes literally took away several years of constant pain in 6 hours of being in the new shoes. I had always bought $50 or less shoes at discount places, Asics, etc. it killed me to pay $140 for a pair of shoes but it worked for me. Rarely knee pain now and it's usually because the shoes I'm wearing have npbeen in rotation too long. Toss that pair and replace and knees good again. I can't use inserts, even the expensive RX type as they never fit my arch right, but my Brooks Arielle's take care of my feet. I go to my local Fleet Feet who checks my fit each time.

Velda

I have been taking Voltaren (diclofenac) pills for years. It's the only thing that has worked long term for me. Without it I turn into a huddled over 103 year old who can't even walk to her mailbox. Yes I knew that the drug could cause organ problems at some point, but I opted to worry about that if and when it happened. In the meantime, I can live a fairly normal lifestyle. My young doctor and I agree that she will check my blood tests for any warning signs to my liver, kidneys, etc.

Pooker

I learned years ago with my first bout of foot problems that because you are walking different because of the pain it will affect your knees and hips.

Martha

My podiatrist recommended these arch supports. He also gave me a list of recommended shoes. (Merrills work best for me). The arch supports have made all the difference.
http://www.tenseconds.com/750.php

As most of you know, I'm a dog walker so I'm on my feet all day most days. A few years back I developed pf in my right foot to the extent that I had to sub out most of my daily walks. A foot Dr. gave me an arch support but what helped me more than anything was a pair of Crocs Rx shoes. I live in them nearly 18 hrs. a day, for as long as the weather permits outside and they have helped immensely.

as I was reading a magazine yesterday they gave information on exercises to do to help correct this
issue...I thought it was timely
I even found it again fairly quickly
stretch your arches for 1 minute before getting out of bed and before standing and if you have been seated for more
than a hour. Arch stretches ---done by gently pulling your toes toward you, holding them there for 10 seconds relaxing then
repeat 5 times..suppose to keep the plantar fascia flexible and inflammation in check
hope this is of a help
sheila