NSAID Gel?

natythingycolbery · Post by **natythingycolbery** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 9:03 am

I just wondered if anyone who has been told to avoid NSAID's has used this or not? I've been told to not use it previously but today at the drs they gave me some for my wrist while they wait on blood tests and all that Jazz?

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 9:36 am

I have used Voltaren cream on my hands and Pressaid for toe and foot cramps. Both are for pain and I think Voltaren is an NSAID. Pressaid is volataren and DMSO together. No one has said anything to me about NOT using it but then again, I have not asked. I'm going to see my GI in a couple of weeks and will ask him for sure. Never thought about it before.

The Pressaid was given to me for arthritis pain in my hands. I knit A LOT and the pressaid was said to work better than voltaren. I get a lot of toe and foot cramps as a result of a spinal fusion 4 years ago. I got so fed up with them one night I put the pressaid on my feet hoping that something good would happen and it did. I haven't had toe cramps since I started putting the pressaid on my toes every night. I look forward to hearing what others have to say.

Post by **tex** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 10:26 am

Katy,

These are uncharted waters, but my initial thought is that using a topical application as a way to get the NSAIDs into the bloodstream, may be OK, since it bypasses direct contact with the mucosa of the intestines. That doesn't works with hormones, of course, and hormones can produce the same problems, regardless of the method of administration. Meds, however, are not hormones, (well, at least, most of them are not), and they typically have totally different mechanisms of action than hormones, so there is a good possibility that transdermal NSAIDs may avoid adversely affecting the gut. Transdermal magnesium, for example, does not cause D, the way that oral magnesium often does.

That's just a WAEG, of course.

Tex

sarkin · Post by **sarkin** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 11:03 am

Tex,

I like your thinking. I wouldn't take an NSAID, but I would be willing to take a chance on the gel, if good ol' ice didn't do the trick. Of course, you can't keep your wrist on ice all day anyway.

Katy, I also had good luck many years ago with a cream that had capsaicin as an active ingredient. That's the 'hot' in hot peppers, and you really have to make sure you don't get it where you don't want it. It is supposed to have anti-inflammatory properties, as well as being a counter-irritant (careful - 'irritant' is for real, counter or otherwise). It was a regular drugstore item, not a special health-food store one.

Hope your wrist is feeling better,

Sara

dgshelton · Post by **dgshelton** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 11:36 am

Tex - That's good to know. I have some NSAID patches that I was given when I broke my ankle. I have been afraid to use them because of th MC. I do remember when I used them, they didn't upset my stomach like Celebrex and other oral NSAIDs did.

Hugs,

natythingycolbery · Post by **natythingycolbery** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 4:33 pm

Ok thanks for the responses. I'll let you know how it goes!

jme22 · Post by **jme22** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 5:23 pm

I'm pretty sure it was a prescription NSAID cream that I used years ago that caused a horrible skin reaction. (Knowing now that I have mast cell problems this isn't surprising.) I found out from my doctor that the cream, a derivative of hot peppers, was supposed to interrupt pain signals. Instead, it caused a terrible burn. I ended up in the ER with what looked like chemical burns. It was very painful...far more so than the original bone pain it was meant to help!

My advice is to read the ingredients carefully before using it. Folks on this board have so many sensitivities it is worth the time to make sure there aren't any offending ingredients.

Wishing you good health,

Julie

natythingycolbery · Post by **natythingycolbery** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 5:55 pm

I read it several times, and started using it last night. I've had four applications so far and if anything, it's just made the pain worse!!! Although I'm giving it a week before I give up on it.

sarkin · Post by **sarkin** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 8:01 pm

My dear, you are a patient woman. If it *really* gets worse, we will not hold you to your 1-week promise

Feel better! (And get some rest...)

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 9:12 pm

I agree, Sara. My week long test of Zyrtec lasted 3 days, as I recall. A week is a long time when things are getting worse instead of better.

We'll understand if you stop it sooner, Katy.

Gloria

dgshelton · Post by **dgshelton** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 9:19 pm

When I used the patch, I felt almost immediate relief. If it's not working in a day or two, it's probably not going to work. If I were you, I wouldn't suffer with the pain being worse for a week. I hope you do find some relief, though.

Hugs,

natythingycolbery · Post by **natythingycolbery** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 2:31 am

I've had problems with my wrist since i was 14 so i'm used to the pain! I just started getting fed up of it really and want to know what is going on. It's also a week until they are 'stealing my blood' to check for a lot of different things.