GoodSenseArthritis Pain Relieving Gel, Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel, 1% (NSAID), 3.53 Ounces

I was using Voltaren and it worked pretty good too, but I felt like I was paying for the brand. I like to try store brands and generics to see if they work just as well for less money. This sure does! What I really like about it is that it smells nice. Voltaren smells like medicine. GoodSense smells more like nice lotion. I can't take Arthrotec (diclofenac) by mouth anymore as it is seriously affecting my kidneys. This topical cream diclofenac is less harsh on the system and works pretty well too. I'm able to do my hand exercises after letting the cream soak in for about 30 minutes or so. I definitely would recommend this.

I have EDS 3 so mout of my joints dislocate many times a day and used to be prescribed Voltaren gel and sadly couldn't get it any more. I'm on disability and live off of $300 a month, this cost less than the script and name brand and works AMAZING!!! Seriously though without this I am in complete agony and mostly bed bound. At least with this I can function. For me this is my miracle gel and stays with me at all times. Plus a bit on the forehead and sinus areas helps with headaches and migraines for me. I'm lost without it and is the cheapest brand for the size out there, a true amazing deal.

This is the 1st time I needed to buy otc and it’s more expensive than I thought it would be, this was the best value of the $. It works the same as my prescription but the odor is stronger. We’re sensitive to scents and when I applied to my whole hand it was overwhelming. I’ve been using it sparsely to specific areas of my hands without much problem. Time will tell if I can buy this again.

Even though they emphasize that this is designed for joints and that it will NOT work on muscles - it works just fine on muscles for me. I like that it is local pain control and very little (only 6%) of the diclofenac enters the blood stream. It was particularly helpful during recovery from hip replacement surgery.

This product is the same as prescribed by an Rx for me per the active ingredients. The big plus is that it is 3 times the amount for less money than the usual 1 oz size available most pharmacies or store health counters.

Update - I'm a pharmacist by training. I've worked in retail, hospital, industry and on clinical trials. I was a compounding pharmacist for 10+ years before I went into industry. I understand these drugs, the applications, and potential adverse events.I've been using this gel per label indications, 4 applications a day with the "dosage ruler" on both of my knees for 18 straight days. I'm not getting much relief yet. The package insert says relief should be expected in 7 days. Not happening. I've run through 1 tube in that time and opened a second one. I'll run through the other 2 tubes (I bought 3 total) and see what happens but my expectation are low. I get better pain relief with 30 minutes on a Life Cycle.Original review:I have been clinically diagnosed with "moderate to severe osteoarthritis" in both knees via x-rays done by my orthopedist. It's the result of decades of sports and weightlifting. The knee pain wakes me up at night. I'm not a fan of oral meds like diclofenac/Voltaren or similar NSAID drugs due to too many adverse events. Opioids are absolutely out. I talked to my orthopedist and he suggested I try diclofenac gel but "pre-warned" me that it's hit or miss efficacy wise and requires it's use requires "vigilance".My observations:-This gel has minimal efficacy and it's hard for me to tell if it worked or not even after 7 weeks of constant use per the directions because my knees still wake me up at night. This is NOT an instant relief topical gel and it does not work like other common topical pain relievers like Icy Hot, Sports Creme or Tiger Balm.-It stinks and smells a lot like 100% DEET mosquito repellent. I know that's not exactly a scientific summary or adverse event but I can smell this stuff through blue jeans for almost 2 hours after application. Once you smell this stuff, you'll be able to spot anyone within 10 feet using it, even with a COVID mask on unless you’re in Everglades and everyone is wearing DEET.-"Vigilance" is an understatement. It's an annoying regimen to follow. 4 times a day, 10-15 minutes to dry and then that lingering DEET smell.-Drug interactions and adverse events - cannot be using blood thinners (81mg. aspirin is OK) and the list of adverse events and drug interactions is lengthy - read them and check with your doc before using this gel. But is suspect that the systemic dosage issues from a topical agent are likely very low.Bottom line for me is that this product is a lot of screwing around and it takes a while to see results - like over 10 days. But it appears to provide little to no relief, at least for me. Case studies with an N of 1 are not reliable data sources so consult the clinical trial data or try this on your own. It could also be that my arthritis is simply too advanced to expect much.This topical agent is not a panacea. I'll still use more traditional topicals like Icy Hot and use heat, cold packs, stretching and exercise in addition to diclofenac gel to deal with my current issues. Hope that helps!

My husband and I swear by it

Don't have time to go into too much detail now as in hospital, but this often helps SO MUCH with the inflammation (I have a neurological autoimmune disorder that affects that BADLY) that when applied in certain areas it can be almost as helpful with the pain as morphine. I participated in the trials & used to get it covered as a Rx with a relatively small copay. I miss that as I can no longer do that now that Diclofenac is available OTC (it is the SAME as Voltaren). I wish I had a lifetime supply of it (would be like winning the lottery on a grand scale for me).Though I'm slightly allergic as I do better with the 3% instead of the 1% (it can't get the former no matter how hard my Dr's try) but the benefits outweigh the welts I have!