My experience with Voltaren has been pretty mixed. Okay but not great. It is a topical NSAID .

Not for arthritis, but when I had an injury that cause an inflammatory condition in my foot, I got a prescription from the foot and ankle doc for topical pain killer patches with one of the "-caine" substances in it. Maybe lido-, I don't remember.

They were not effective for me. The pain was an intense and constant ache, not of the stabbing kind. A daily combo of two different OTC anti-inflammatories (as directed by the doc) was much more effective for me. I understand it's not good to take these long term, for me, it was for about 3 weeks.

I used a product called Penetrex for an injury that worked very well. It is available on Amazon or through the company website. According to the Amazon reviews, many people use it for arthritis.

I use Diclofenac Epolamine patches for my ankle pain but have used them for back pain too. I don't use them very often since they are kind of a pain in the rear because they like to curl up. I still have a box and a half of them from over a year ago, and never got a refill because I don't use them very often. They help some. Doesn't take away all the pain.

Since I went and got them to look at them, and have been having ankle pain for a couple days now, decided to put one on.

Given where the focus of the pain is centered I can't imagine patches would be very effective. My hands are in and out of water and garden gloves and other general dirt and debris so frequently that I doubt a patch would last in place more than a few minutes! I was thinking more along the lines of a cream or gel or something like the Aleve spray that could be reapplied as needed. It is my understanding that most of these are NSAIDs like the majority of OTC oral products but have far fewer side effects from sustained use.

I have osteoarthritis (not in the hands, though) and find a heat pack works reasonably well. I've used Voltaren gel and that helps a bit but doesn't last long.

I know this will sound over the top, but have you thought about consulting a hand therapist? I was sent to one for rehab after a carpal tunnel operation and got a whole exercise regimen strictly for the hand. I'm sure they would have exercises for arthritic hands as well (The first time I went there, I had to walk pass the "thumb" class - 8 or so people doing exercises solely for their thumbs).

I use Biofreeze Professional Rollon on my arthritic foot. Also Aspercreme Lidocaine Pain Relief Creme. There are also Aspercreme patches but might not work easily on the hand. They both help my foot, edpecially Biofreeze.

Sorry you are having trouble.

I have arthritis (predominantly in my right) fingers also. About 6 weeks ago I had a flare up, including pain in joints that hadn't really been affected before, and my fingers were very stiff (this is usually associated with enjoying one or two summer tomatoes, but I don't think I had been eating any at that point.) I got some Aspercreme from the grocery and was actually surprised that it did help. It didn't eliminate the pain, but it definitely made a difference. This was the first time I had tried it.

Hope you find something that helps.

Oh, something else that helps (for me, at least) is drinking tart cherry juice- 4-6 ounces/day really made a difference, even calming down one chronically swollen knuckle.

Gardengal, several years ago a friend gave me a magnetic bracelet. i was skeptical but put it on and forgot about it. experience makes me believe that this helps with the moderate amount of pain in my wrist and thumb. ive never had to deal with severe pain so i cant attest to that. one of my sisters who has similar issues became a believer but it did not help a friend. as a cook and baker i do a lot of repetitive hand motion with no pain.

magnetic bracelets are not logical but i will continue to wear them.

I use a prescription Diclofenac cream when my knee inflammation occurs. It is a topical NSAID, so is not as hard on the kidneys as oral NSAIDs. It sometimes takes a few days to pull down the inflammation, but it does work.

I have tried Ted's Pain Cream and Voltaren; my Mom swears by a CBD cream.

I use the generic equivalent of Aleve, naproxen, as well as topicals. Naproxen definitely works better and relieves pain far longer than ibuprofen.

I used to use Voltaren but my Doctor advised me to discontinue using it because of my A-fib as it contains ibuprofen. I now use roll on Bio Freeze. My cousin told me about a prescription cream she got from her Doctor that works quite well but it contains aspirin, Sorry I don't know the name of it. She rubs it on her hands.

I have tried topical ASA and ibuprofen, but found they didn't work very well (this was for muscle and joint pain, but not arthritis). To my surprise, topical arnica works better for me.

Not topical but I began taking Fermented Turmeric some years ago as an anti-inflammatory when I began having twinges of arthritis in my fingers. Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and the fermented type makes it more available to the body. I haven't had any osteoarthritis twinges anywhere ever again.

Oral naproxen/Aleve lasts longer (8-12 hours), than ibuprofen/Advil (4-6 hours).

I suffered from a frozen shoulder years ago and tried a few different things, but Tiger Balm was my salvation.

I have back pain and I use Aleve--it really works for me. I have also used Tiger Balm if I have pain in one area and that works too.

I also have arthritis and take one Tylenol and one 200mg ibuprofen twice a day. Taking both at the same time. I think Tylenol helps with inflammation and ibuprofen with the pain. Works for me.

Thanks to everyone for their comments! I completely forgot about Aspercream....and that has lidocaine, which should elevate the pain relief, at least temporarily. I'm gonna get some 😊

FWIW, taking a single ibuprofen twice a day would be the equivalent for me of throwing them in the garbage.....absolutely zero effect!! The maximum 800 mg dose every 4 hours barely puts a dent in the pain and I don't care to continue that option because of the side effects from long term usage.

Just an aside but my very naturopathic oriented niece gave me some tart cherry juice to use for this problem. Can't see that it has done much yet but maybe takes more time. And I do use a "stress" squeeze ball to safely exercise my hand....the mild exercise does seem to help.

Getting old certainly presents some challenges :-)) OTOH, other than the ibuprofen for occasional pain relief, I am on no other medications, which another thread seemed to indicate was very atypical. Both of my sibs, now in their early 80's, are also on no routinely prescribed medication. I guess we are just a naturally healthy bunch!

Probably would not help everyone with finger stiffness. One morning when I had awoken with a stiff and painful middle R finger, I washed some dishes in very hot DAWN soapy water. When I had finished and was wiping down the kitchen I realized that both the pain and stiffness were almost gone. That has become my first line of defense. I think Naproxen is good, but do not want to use it long term.

@Judy Good,

ibuprofen is a NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug); acetaminophen/Tylenol is not.

Both acetaminophen and ibuprofen are analgesics (treat pain).

My NP told me to use Voltarin Voltaren for pain, it seems to have helped a lot. You can buy it OTC at Walmart there is even a generic for it

I had prescription Voltaren and it was wonderful. I now have the OTC version since it no longer requires a prescription. I use it for my knees. and have put some on my hands from time to time.

I would recommend trying it.

I use two kinds of patches that work well for pain from spinal stenosis in my back and neck. Costco sells two Salonpas products, made by a Japanese company, Hisamitsu. These can be left on for 8 hours without causing skin irritation. I just bought these again, so have the details:

One has 4% lidocaine, 15 4 X 5.5 inch patches for $16.49. (I cut these in half.)

One has 10% methyl salicylate, 6% menthol, and 3% camphor, 140 2 X 3 inch patches for $14.49. (I don't detect any odor.)

Aspercreme with lidocaine (and its drugstore chain clones) is available as a roll-on. This was half as effective for me as the patches.

My late MIL had severe rheumatoid arthritis and would soak her hands in hot water. She also had a device with heated wax. It's the *heat* that helps, and it's very temporary relief.

I can't take NSADs due to aspirin sensitivity. I take two or three prescription Tylenol #4 (w/ codein) daily;. I'm not 'addicted' yet, after three years.

Tried Voltaren and got good relief thanks to recommendations on this board. I don't usually post but I love this Board! Thanks to all.

I used Voltaren for awhile but only once a day and the prescribed dose is 3 or 4X a day. I'm having better results with CBD/THC ointment. It works well but is pricey. Also my pain is in my ankles, not my hands.

Wasn't it Moni who had a recipe for relieving arthritis? I believe it was gin and raisins. The raisins were soaked in the gin for a period of time and then you eat a few each day. It's not exactly what you are asking about, but possibly worth a try if you are so inclined.

Your average rub is a counter irritant. It fools your nerves and is supposed to relieve pain enough so that you can move around and exercise. Your nervous system gets up to all sorts of highjinks with referred pains and all sorts. I once lost a toenail on my left foot when I lost the same one on the other toe to due to a badly broken ankle on my right. That was misplaced swelling. I find heat the best thing short term. Moist heat. If it is osteo eventually you can lose the nerve endings and the pain settles out. Muscle or tendon is worse if you ask me.

UPDATE!!

Tried both the Aspercreme and a generic Voltaren and neither resulted in any significant pain relief. But a visit from my SIL over the weekend prompted me to try her CBD cream she uses to relieve back pain. The effects were almost instantaneous!! I now have my own jar of the stuff and it works like magic! Whoo-ho!!

But I am only on Day 1. I am hoping the effect will be long lasting if I use it routinely throughout the coming days.

Care to share the product or formulation? there are so many different one…

Yes, do tell! What's the cream? What's the content? Where do you get it?

The product is Hemp Daily Triple Strength Intensive Cream. Widely available online and also sold at my local GNC.

Both of us here have been using and liking very much Sombra Cool Therapy Gel. Have been using it for over two years--long enough to have gone thru a 4 oz container. Replaced with the 8 oz size and are over half way thru the 8 oz one. Still happy with it. Also comes in a 3 oz roll-on. Haven't tried the roll on yet but intend to. The roll on more travel friendly. Sombra also has a 'warm therapy' version which we have not tried--because we've been well satisfied with the cool version. Around $16 for 8 oz (that will last a long time) so it is economical as well as effective.

IME, Voltaren is only so-so and any relief is short-lived. Sombra definitely gives better & longer relief for what the two of have used it for.

I was going to suggest CBD cream. I had the same experience as you, almost instant relief from pain in a pesky joint in my hand.
The one I use is FLOW CBD gel. Glad you found something that works.