Diclofenac

[cjbroon]

I had open heart surgery last year twice to repair a Ascending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. I'm on Dispersible Aspirin, Bisoprolol, Artovastatin, Losartan and Omneprazole. Now I've had lower back problems on and off for years and Diclofenac always solved it in a couple of days. I've put it out again and can't seem to get a Dr to prescribe now. Back pain won't shift this time. Any reason why diclofenac would now be an issue.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Diclofenac is a member of the class of drugs called NSAIDs, which includes Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Diclofenac and Celecoxib. There are quite a few others.

These drugs are known to increase cardiac risks like hypertension and thrombotic events. They are also linked with increased risk of sromach bleeds and ulcers. So basically for us"hearties" they are a no-no. However, your GP should be offering alternatives if Paracetamol does not help.

[Mountwood in reply to MichaelJH]

Hello Michael,

I have been on diclofenac sodium since the mid 1980s for osteoarthritis and, since I firmly believe it has kept my osteo under control all these years, I have refused to give it up even though I now have mild angina for which I have a GTN spray, Bisoprolol and Monomil. To keep my GP happy I take Omeprazole for my stomach.

I'm 81 and otherwise in good health apart from my Type 2 diabetes which is well controlled and doesn't really cause me any problems. I know and understand the problems of NSAIDs but I would prefer fewer years so long as they are good ones.

Paracetamol has to be the most useless so-called painkiller ever created by the pharmaceutical companies.

[STUBAX]

I also took Diclofenac for back problems, was told that I cannot take/use it anymore due to heart meds ☹

[Kosharitsa]

Please I hope you cannot get a doctor to prescribe diclofenac I also had back pain for years but diclofenac worked brilliant. I was on it for 15 years without a break and when I moved and had to change doctors I Had an interview and he asked how long I had been on diclofenac, I told him 15 years without a break. He immediately sent me for a series of bloods only to find I have kidney failure. Constantly in pain as I cannot take many painkillers now and I am unable to walk at all and am in constant pain. So please do not take diclofenac

[cjbroon]

Thanks for the replies, I only ever took diclofenac for a couple of days when I put my back out and it's always cleared up the issue. However this time the alternatives like the ketoprofen gel I was prescribed don't seem to making any impact. Usually a couple of days worth of diclofenac would have solved the problem. I've sent a request to my Dr to see if there's anything they can give me. My back only goes once in a while so it wouldn't be a long term medication.