Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Diclofenac - Have you taken it? Are the side effects bad?

26 replies

ElizabethWakefield · 29/03/2010 19:30

I have inflammation of my breast bone and have been prescribed diclofenac, when giving me then the Dr said that they can have quite bad side effects, then in the chemist they mentioned side effects again and said to be sure and eat.

So i had dinner and took the first one about an hour or so ago since then i have felt awful, not quite with it and a bit sicky feeling. Not sure if it is just cos i am sore and not feeling the best anyway or if it is the tablets. DD has also told me i am chalk white, but i don't really think I am.

Just wondering if other experienced side effects with them, and how badly. Just feeling a bit concerned as both the DR and chemist made a big point of mentioning them, and i am hoping not to have to take any time of work if I can help it.

OP posts:
cocolepew · 29/03/2010 19:32

I had them after having my tonsils out, it was ok.

inzidoodle · 29/03/2010 19:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Milliways · 29/03/2010 19:33

I used to live on the stuff - with nio long term effects.

You CAN take Paracetamol with it, but NOT Ibuprofen. Like Ibuprofen it can upset your stomach a bit, but I get IBS and tolerated Diclofenac well.

DS also took lots of this for his back when her was 12, again with no ill effects -just pain relief

BigBadMummy · 29/03/2010 19:35

I had these recently when I tore the ligament in my thumb.

I took them with food and didnt have any side effects. In fact they were great pain killers.

Don't make the mistake I did though. I remembered the GP telling me about paracetemol and Ibuprofen, one I could take and one I couldn't. I got it wrong the first day and then spent 8 hours asleep on the sofa.

Charlieandlola · 29/03/2010 19:44

I am on them currently and have no I'll effects at all. My mother only has to look at any Anti inflammatiries and is violently sick. You willbonly find out howvyou react by taking one . If nauseous, go back to go and ask for something else.

Original poster
ElizabethWakefield · 29/03/2010 19:49

Inzidoodle, that doesn't sound good at all!

Reassuring to hear that everyone else seemed to take them with no problems.

C&L I have taken one, about an hour and a half ago and feel worse now that i did, so i was trying to figure out if it was the tablets making me feel worse. But i think it might just be general pain and tiredness. Will have an early night and see how i feel tomorrow.

I will keep eating before taking then (shouldn't be too hard ) and hopefully that will keep any side effects at bay!

OP posts:
ManicMother7777 · 29/03/2010 21:45

I've taken it for years on and off for back pain, with no side effects at all.

hoomach · 29/03/2010 21:59

diclofenac belongs to the same group of drugs as ibuprofen - the so-called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)- as do naproxen, mefenamic acid (Ponstan), etc. They all have similar side effects (the main one being gastric irritation leading to indigestion/heartburn especially on an empty stomach). They are all capable of irritating your kidneys and you shoudl seek medical advice before using them if you have any history of kidney disease. But millions of people use them every day without significant problems. If you have any doubt read the info leaflet that comes with them and if your not sure about anything on it speak to your local pharmacist or give your GP a call.

EccentricaGallumbits · 29/03/2010 22:02

I eat them like sweets for knackered back and dodgy ovary.

As long as you eat and don't take them on an empty stomach they are fine. Much better than plain Ibuprofen.

sherby · 29/03/2010 22:04

Have been taking 3 a day for two weeks (c-section and tooth abcess)

no side effects at all

CoteDAzur · 29/03/2010 22:04

I used it after botched episiotomy. It was the only thing that made me feel human and I loved it more than my baby for about three weeks post-partum. I didn't notice any side effects.

Baileysismyfriend · 29/03/2010 22:05

I took them for about a month after picking up an infection from the hospital after a c-section.

I had no side effects at all and wasn't even told there could be?

canucktraveler · 29/03/2010 22:06

I have taken these for various problems with my knees and have not experienced any side effects or problems. Just really affect inflamation.

GoldenSnitch · 29/03/2010 22:21

Took them after both my c-sections for about 2 weeks each time. Never had a side effect

notcitrus · 29/03/2010 22:29

It's a great painkiller, BUT if you experience vomiting and diarrhoea when taking it, STOP taking it immediately.

As opposed to ending up being taken to A&E, drips mentioned, and ending up unable to keep food down for the next few years, like I did, having continued taking it for 3 days. Luckily I ended up having my rib joint pain fixed by injections by a brave doc, and my digestive system is now almost normal after getting pregnant (used to throw up few times a week, stopped completely when got pregnant!)

If it just gives you a bit of a tummyache, then you have to decide if that's worse than the pain you're taking it for, cos the next alternative if you can't take diclofenac tends to be codiene, which is great fun as long as you don't mind being high as a kite...

scaryteacher · 30/03/2010 10:01

I have diclofenac (Voltarol) as it is the only thing that helps with my back when it seizes. The problem is that I am not supposed to take NSAIDs as I have a problem with platelets (not enough) and Voltarol apparently makes it worse. I'd rather have low platelets and be able to stand up though!

The Doc gave me Co-Codamol as an alternative to the Voltarol, but at a much higher strength. If I take the Co-Codamol I am then knocked out for 3-4 hours and feel 'detached' the next day.

Apart from the fact I shouldn't take it, I've had no problem with diclofenac.

Original poster
ElizabethWakefield · 30/03/2010 11:50

Thanks everyone for your replies. I have taken a couple more since I last posted and have been fine, so I presume I wont experience any side effects!

Have been so tired (don't really think that is anything to do with the tablets and more to do with not really sleeping well due to the pain) so decided just to take the day off in the end and rest up.

I do feel it has already helped with the pain a little, so I have high hopes!

Notcitrus, that sound horrendous, glad you are almost better since your pregnancy.

OP posts:
PlumBumMum · 30/03/2010 11:55

Both me and my dd take them

she takes votoral but also has to take losec to help her tummy

the ones I have are a cupsule that are supposed to protect tummy at the same time (think they are slow release not sure)

stealthsquiggle · 30/03/2010 11:58

I have taken both voltarol and co-codamol with no noticeable side effects - except that I am asthmatic and after a few days NSAIDs (voltarol or ibuprofen) start to make me wheezier - but sometimes it is worth it.

weegiemum · 30/03/2010 11:58

What no-one tells you about diclofenac is that for about 1/3 of people they simply don't work. They don't work for me!!

palacemonkey · 30/03/2010 12:18

I had diclofenac and it made me really nauseaus (sp?) but I didn't actually throw up. Had no effect on the pain and it gave me really bad diarrheoa (sp? again).... I wouldn't take it again - but I've never had any problems with any other anti-inflammatories

OhYouBadBadKitten · 30/03/2010 12:20

Is that really true weegiemum? I am prescribed them long term and don't find them very effective - thought I was just being a nuisance!
I have to take mine with omeprazole, otherwise I get terrible tummy pain.

Original poster
ElizabethWakefield · 30/03/2010 13:39

That's interesting weegiemum, the Dr never mentioned that, and said if they hadn't made a difference in a week he would send me for chest x-rays.

I do still feel nauseous, but hoping that this will be the worse that it gets, I am really rubbish at taking medication! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences.

OP posts:
zippy79 · 30/03/2010 16:33

I have been taking diclofnac to treat rib pain following child birth and I haven't suffered any side-effects. You do have to be careful if taking other painkillers though

notcitrus · 30/03/2010 22:10

If it's costochondritis you have (inflammation of the joints between breastbone and ribs), then if you can get a doc to inject the joints with cortisone it's a miracle treatment (as in, couldn't walk 50 yards or climb 6 stairs without a rest before, yet 15 minutes later could walk half a mile home no problem!) GP was trembling with relief after the last injection though, having been worried about puncturing a lung... usually they get someone in hospital to do it just in case.