Voltorol gel

[Danoco]

I know this is probably a question for my nephrologist but getting hold of him is proving elusive.

i have stage 3b ckd and have a constant (unrelated) bad back for which i take tramadol for.

my question is whether it'd be ok to rub Voltarol (diclofenac 2.32%) onto back as used it before my ckd and it really helps.

i know NSAID tablets are a big no no but wondered whether gel form would be ok ?

thanks in advance

Dan

[Mwjkksjmh]

My doctor told me not to use anything with ibuprofen in it. I have ckd 3

[Danoco in reply to Mwjkksjmh]

thanks for your reply

[Miss-guineapig]

I saw this documented in an Arthritis page and may be helpful…it’s all their words so possibly worth exploring further.

Can CKD patients use topical NSAIDs?

Can you use diclofenac gel with chronic kidney disease?

In conclusion, diclofenac may be well tolerated in patients of renal impairment when used at lowest effective dose for shortest dose duration. Diclofenac is worthy of consideration in mild to moderate cases of CKD.

[Danoco in reply to Miss-guineapig]

thanks for the info

[Miss-guineapig]

This was further documented..

“A gel form of the prescription NSAID diclofenac (Voltaren Gel) is one option. Only a very small amount of the drug gets into the bloodstream. “

Worth asking your GP , let us know if you find out more because you won’t be the only one wondering, about the gel, wishing you all the best x

[Danoco in reply to Miss-guineapig]

thanks a lot for that Miss. Will certainly update the forum if i confirm anything definitive

[Hily in reply to Danoco]

Ask your pharmacist. They have more knowledge than any of the GP's here.

[Danoco in reply to Hily]

thanks will do

[Whitetail66 in reply to Hily]

When talking to my nephrologist, she said that topicals would be fine as very little gets to the bloodstream and has to be filtered. I wasn’t asking about a topical like an NSAID, so this would be an interesting question to ask her.🤔

[HisLittleOne]

my doctor says it’s okay to use just not too often. I have been using it for my knees and hands and back pain with no affect to my kidney function.

[Danoco in reply to HisLittleOne]

thank you

[rockk]

I am in a similar place to you. Just started using Voltarol gel but sparingly, as my doc said using it to ease pain is ok in the short term but not long term.

[Danoco in reply to rockk]

thanks for that

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

Try considering lidocaine patches. My back is pretty bad and I will use them (6" × 6") for breakthrough pain. I'm stage 5.

[Danoco in reply to KidneyCoach]

thanks for the advice. will look into that option 😆

[Nana16]

I was prescribed (before it was available over the counter) diclofenac gel by my GP for breakthrough pain, while I was in stage 3a CKD. I also have back problems, and take 2 Tramadol a day for that, and I'm allowed a 3rd one if I have really bad breakthrough pain. The Tramadol was okayed by my nephrologist, GP said to use the smallest amount of diclofenac, for the shortest period of time. She also said a small amount does get in to your bloodstream. I keep it around, and use it from time to time. She watched my labs closely, as she has been the one monitoring my CKD, and there was no effect that we could ascribe to the diclofenac. Lately, I've also been using lidocaine gel, which helps a lot with some nerve pain I have in my back. I go for that first, and only use the diclofenac when it gets beyond my tolerance. This is a whole new can of worms, but I also use CBD cream on a particularly difficult area of my back when it flares up. GP also approved use of that. The amount I use would contain only about 10 mg of CBD, and for the almost immediate (less than 20 minutes) relief of spasms and nerve pain, it's worth any risk that it might affect my kidneys. Again, I use it sparingly and in moderation. All of those things, not together, but at various times can help me live a halfway useful life. I'm now in stage 3b, 10 years down the road, and that has been a very slow decline that's attributed mostly to my age (76) and some other health issues that feed into the kidney function. I have not taken a single dose of any NSAID (such as ibuprofen) in the 13 years since I was diagnosed with CKD.

I wish you the best with your back problems. It's a tricky balance in finding some relief without damaging your kidneys.

[Danoco in reply to Nana16]

Hi Nana, thanks a lot for the detailed information. Certainly a few options for me to consider. I've been taking up to 8 (50g) tramadol a day when my pain is at its worst but at the moment 2-4 a day which it what the GP is currently recommended. I really need to look at the other options

Also I'm trying to get referral to orthopedic hospital as i had lower disc surgery 25 years ago and wonder if my discs gave degenerated again.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

I have had a kidney transplant and my nephrologist has OK'd my using Voltarin. Said that Iibuprophen absorbed thru the skin is different than oral medication - also that it is a low dose. I have been using it for last 2 years on my knees and no problems with my creatinine. You still should get an official OK from your nephrologist. Always double check with him before you take anything, even over=the=counter meds.