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I have painful knee arthritis. Using DMSO to treat the pain.

Posted by dongee @dongee, Apr 18, 2016

I have painful knee arthritis. The only substance that reduces the swelling and the pain is DMSO.
Is there any danger it using this long term?

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Profile picture for Mariette R.
Mariette R. | @marietter | May 12 6:44am
In reply to @heyjoe415 "Thanks chicabow. Diclofenac (Voltaren) pills are in the NSAID family. Like all NSAIDs, they should not..." + (show)
Profile picture for heyjoe415 @heyjoe415

Thanks chicabow.

Diclofenac (Voltaren) pills are in the NSAID family. Like all NSAIDs, they should not be used for long periods of time. I was on it for about 6 months and my creatinine levels went well beyond the upper limit. This signals kidney damage. I greatly reduced my dose, and my creatinine level came right back down in weels.

IMO, it's best to use oral NSAIDs for periodic pain, and not make a habit of it.

(As for Voltaren gel, I have no idea about the side effects. But logic would suggest limiting use.)

Thanks all.

Joe

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@heyjoe415 I had to discontinue my Diclofenac aka Voltaren pills because the increased my blood pressure to a dangerously high level.

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1 reply
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chicabow | @chicabow | May 12 7:07am
In reply to @heyjoe415 "Thanks chicabow. Diclofenac (Voltaren) pills are in the NSAID family. Like all NSAIDs, they should not..." + (show)
Profile picture for heyjoe415 @heyjoe415

Thanks chicabow.

Diclofenac (Voltaren) pills are in the NSAID family. Like all NSAIDs, they should not be used for long periods of time. I was on it for about 6 months and my creatinine levels went well beyond the upper limit. This signals kidney damage. I greatly reduced my dose, and my creatinine level came right back down in weels.

IMO, it's best to use oral NSAIDs for periodic pain, and not make a habit of it.

(As for Voltaren gel, I have no idea about the side effects. But logic would suggest limiting use.)

Thanks all.

Joe

Jump to this post

@heyjoe415
You are spot on..

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1 reply
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meri8181 | @meri8181 | May 12 10:47am
In reply to @heyjoe415 "Thanks meri and sorry for the problems with your knees. Have you thought about replacement -..." + (show)
Profile picture for heyjoe415 @heyjoe415

Thanks meri and sorry for the problems with your knees.

Have you thought about replacement - or at least discussed it with your Dr? I had both knees replaced in 2022, 4 months apart, and the pain relief has been incredible! I also had my left shoulder and right hip replaced in 2025 with very good results.

But it's probably best to try other pain relief, inflammation-reducing things first, and as always, follow your Dr's guidance.

All the best to you!

Joe

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@heyjoe415

Hello Joe,

My knees don’t hurt since the injections.
I’ll continue this regimen while it works.
I’m not bone on bone so no need for knee replacements. Not yet!

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1 reply
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loriesco | @loriesco | May 13 1:13pm

You might want to check with your doctor about PSEUDOGOUT which effects the knee for proper treatments.
(Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition (CPPD) disease, often called pseudogout, is a type of arthritis caused by calcium pyrophosphate crystals depositing in joint cartilage, leading to sudden, intense inflammation. It primarily affects adults over 60, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness—frequently in the knees—and is commonly managed with anti-inflammatory)
I don't believe there is any side effects from TOPICALLY applied Volteran/Diclofenec. (Get prescription strength 3 or 5% not the 1%). There are good topical CBD from Sageway and Tylenol works great.

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | May 15 8:34am
In reply to @marietter "@heyjoe415 I had to discontinue my Diclofenac aka Voltaren pills because the increased my blood pressure..." + (show)
Profile picture for Mariette R. @marietter

@heyjoe415 I had to discontinue my Diclofenac aka Voltaren pills because the increased my blood pressure to a dangerously high level.

Jump to this post

Thanks for that news. I had to discontinue diclofenac tabs becasue of the inrease in creatinine. Diclofenac, and all NSAIDs, are hard on the kidneys. They are not ment to be taken everyday.

Joe

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | May 15 8:35am
In reply to @meri8181 "@heyjoe415 Hello Joe, My knees don’t hurt since the injections. I’ll continue this regimen while it..." + (show)
Profile picture for meri8181 @meri8181

@heyjoe415

Hello Joe,

My knees don’t hurt since the injections.
I’ll continue this regimen while it works.
I’m not bone on bone so no need for knee replacements. Not yet!

Jump to this post

That all sounds good meri. I'm glad the injections are working, and that you have some cartilage left!

My knees were ridden with osteoarthritis. Getting them replaced was a relief, once I was out of options.

Joe

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | May 15 8:39am
In reply to @chicabow "@heyjoe415 You are spot on.." + (show)
Profile picture for chicabow @chicabow

@heyjoe415
You are spot on..

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Thanks chicabow. I know a guy at the gym who needs a reverse TSR but refuses to get one. He takes clelbrex daily, and he is on a diuretic for venous insufficiency. Diuretics magnify the harmful effect to the organs from NSAIDs.

But he is stubborn, to the point of being stupid. I don't talk much to him anymore other than to say hi. No one can fix stupid. And I'm only responsible for me.

Joe

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1 reply
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chicabow | @chicabow | May 15 9:25am
In reply to @heyjoe415 "Thanks chicabow. I know a guy at the gym who needs a reverse TSR but refuses..." + (show)
Profile picture for heyjoe415 @heyjoe415

Thanks chicabow. I know a guy at the gym who needs a reverse TSR but refuses to get one. He takes clelbrex daily, and he is on a diuretic for venous insufficiency. Diuretics magnify the harmful effect to the organs from NSAIDs.

But he is stubborn, to the point of being stupid. I don't talk much to him anymore other than to say hi. No one can fix stupid. And I'm only responsible for me.

Joe

Jump to this post

@heyjoe415
Joe,
Again you are correct..Too many people forget that
Damage done by NSAIDS is
Irreversible.
I was fortunate to work with
Major athletes (McEnroe/
Holmes/Pazienza ) and Nordic Combined ski team
1984 Sarajevo Olympics.
Professional athletes have
moved away from NSAIDS.
Most don’t use alternative
medicine properly.
Sometimes take week for benefits to show..Most take
the Kool Aid instant results..

REPLY
2 replies
Profile picture for heyjoe415
heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | May 16 7:15am
In reply to @chicabow "@heyjoe415 Joe, Again you are correct..Too many people forget that Damage done by NSAIDS is Irreversible...." + (show)
Profile picture for chicabow @chicabow

@heyjoe415
Joe,
Again you are correct..Too many people forget that
Damage done by NSAIDS is
Irreversible.
I was fortunate to work with
Major athletes (McEnroe/
Holmes/Pazienza ) and Nordic Combined ski team
1984 Sarajevo Olympics.
Professional athletes have
moved away from NSAIDS.
Most don’t use alternative
medicine properly.
Sometimes take week for benefits to show..Most take
the Kool Aid instant results..

Jump to this post

Thanks chicabow.

Yes the damage from the long-term use of NSAIDS on kidneys is a very real risk. But for some people, reaching for a pill is easier than using ice.

Joe

REPLY
Profile picture for hraka13
hraka13 | @hraka13 | May 17 7:56pm
In reply to @chicabow "@heyjoe415 Joe, Again you are correct..Too many people forget that Damage done by NSAIDS is Irreversible...." + (show)
Profile picture for chicabow @chicabow

@heyjoe415
Joe,
Again you are correct..Too many people forget that
Damage done by NSAIDS is
Irreversible.
I was fortunate to work with
Major athletes (McEnroe/
Holmes/Pazienza ) and Nordic Combined ski team
1984 Sarajevo Olympics.
Professional athletes have
moved away from NSAIDS.
Most don’t use alternative
medicine properly.
Sometimes take week for benefits to show..Most take
the Kool Aid instant results..

Jump to this post

@chicabow, some of us have no alternative to chronic, debilitating pain. It is a trade-off but sometimes necessary.

REPLY
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