Diclofenac and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• March 28, 2009

Diclofenac for Back Pain "I was prescribed this medicine for lower back pain from an accident. It kicks in quickly and lasts all day. When I take it, the pain completely goes away. It does make you sleepy, but it's worth it. I did not experience any stomach issues."

• Gum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2016

Diclofenac for Back Pain "I have bulging and degenerative discs from my cervical all the way down to my lumbar. I would have it rubbed on my back on days when I couldn't get out of bed or stand up. The cream, along with my meds, would put me to sleep and then allow me to get up pain-free. It's really great after a long day."

• Kim...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 30, 2014

Diclofenac for Pain "I have been on many pain/anti-inflammatory medications to help with rheumatoid arthritis, plantar fasciitis, and a torn tendon in my shoulder. It is the fastest acting and most effective pain relief I have tried (comparing to Duexis, hydrocodone, prednisone, tramadol). It does not cause stomach upset like other NSAIDs, and the only side effect is sleepiness, but a quick nap and pain is much better and no grogginess."

• The...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 4, 2016

Diclofenac for Migraine "Mama said, 'If it's too good to be true, it probably is.' Except for Cambia. This is good stuff. I get headaches so often I don't notice unless it's a bad one. Relief comes within 10 to 15 minutes. Maybe even less on an empty stomach. Pain, throbbing, sensitivity, all of it. Best part: I can take it at work (elementary special needs teacher) with no impairment, drowsiness, or pesky side effects whatsoever. That's a BIG deal when working with kids. I keep two packets in my wallet at all times. PS: The taste, mint and black jellybeans, was hard for me to swallow at first. But it's no worse than NyQuil or Robitussin or any of the other horrid things we take to feel better. So what?"

• czt...
• January 30, 2009

Diclofenac for Osteoarthritis "Recently diagnosed with osteoarthritis in both hands. The pain was so bad that I would wake up in the middle of the night in pain, and I was not able to use my right hand at all. Doctor put me on Voltaren one week ago. So far, I have been pain-free. Still have swelling in joints, but the morning stiffness and pain is gone. Gave it an 8 rating since I have only been on the drug for 1 week. Have experienced some acid reflux and sleepiness during the day. I don't know if it is because of the medicine or another problem."

• Geo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2018

Diclofenac for Pain "I have severe neck pain. I normally take 800 mg of ibuprofen. Today, even that didn't get rid of my pain, so I decided to take a Zorvolex when it was time for me to dose again instead of taking the ibuprofen. My pain went from a 10+ down to a 3. I highly recommend this medication, but I would save to take your first dose at night in case it makes you feel drowsy. I am so thankful, but I'm finally out of pain after such a long day of feeling bad."

• Anonymous
• October 19, 2009

For Osteoarthritis "Doctor prescribed diclofenac (75 X 2/day) three weeks ago for severe arthritis in my big toes. I'm 60 years old and still work, mostly on my feet all day. Pain and swelling have been reduced, but not totally gone. I'd have to say I'm happy with the result, as it has enabled me to keep working, but side effects are troublesome: I get headaches close to migraine level, my vision is so blurred sometimes, I'm VERY groggy in the morning and have a hard time getting out of bed, and the ringing in my ears has gotten worse. So I can only give it a 7 out of 10."

• And...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 21, 2018

Diclofenac for Migraine "Cambia works perfectly for me. I get zero side effects from it, so I take it at the first sign of aura or pain because there's no side effect trade-off. But even when I haven't been able to take it at onset, it still works for me. If taken hours in, it sometimes doesn't remove all pain, but I take another, and that one always takes the rest of the pain away. But since I don't get dizzy or drowsy, I keep it with me at all times and take it wherever I am. It's given me my life back. Sometimes my sensitivity to light and sound stays a bit. This isn't a side effect of the med, I think it's just that I still have a migraine in the background, with no pain. Maybe it's just post-migraine fog though, as it doesn't present right away. It's hours after. Tip: works best on an empty stomach. Wait to take it for 15-30 minutes if the stomach is full. Don't drink or eat anything for another 30 minutes while it's absorbing into your stomach lining."

• Anonymous
• September 22, 2008

Diclofenac for Period Pain "This is the best medication I have ever used for painful periods. (It actually helped my sinus pain, as well.) I experienced no grogginess and no side effects, very just soothing and complete pain relief."

• Why...
• February 3, 2017

Diclofenac for Pain "I have been dealing with extreme pain in my hip and groin area. I took one pill but never again. I first experienced drowsiness, which isn't anything to worry about until I started to not feel right in my head. It lasted for about 20 minutes. Then, as I was standing in the kitchen making dinner, I developed extreme nausea for about 5 minutes. This led to a rush shooting straight to my head, and on came a dizzy spell that lasted for about 20 seconds. Followed by a partial blackout for a split second, vision came back, and I went to sit down. Moments later, I was perfectly okay. Well, besides feeling freaked out, of course. I would never recommend this medicine to anyone."

• HKT...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 18, 2018

Diclofenac for Migraine "After trying many other migraine medications, like most, I found this to be the best with the least amount of side effects. It only takes between 20 minutes to 1 hour to start working. For me, the side effects are minimal. I don't get drowsy or feel weird, but certainly shouldn't operate any machinery or do any heavy thinking. Honestly, I feel pretty good, like I could do stuff, but found I have a slight disconnect to the brain. So it is safer to just kick your feet up while on this medication and rest for a few hours. The only downside for me is that to completely get rid of migraine and no reoccurrence, I need to take a second dosage. But to me it is worth it and really helps me rid those awful migraines. My last insurance covered this medication, and I only needed to pay $25, but now I may have to pay up to $600. Not sure yet on the cost. Trying to get the script filled now."

• Cas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2019

For Back Pain "I slipped a disc in my lower back and also strained the muscles on the right side. I was prescribed diclofenac by my doctor, which did nothing. There was no change of any kind to my pain, and in the middle of the night, I was actually sobbing. For 3 days prior to this prescription, I had taken Nurofen, which did provide some relief, and I took 5 mg Valium tablets, 1/2 a tablet at night with the Nurofen, which enabled me to sleep. After seeing my doctor, she prescribed me ten tablets of low-dose Valium to take with the diclofenac, causing me to feel drowsy but leaving me with mind-blowing pain. After 2 days of diclofenac with no reduction in pain at all, I am going back to Nurofen. My back still hurts, but I can at least endure it without crying."

• Tar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2018

For Pain "Use: for chronic pelvic pain, which is suspected endometriosis or PID. Dose: 50 mg up to 3 times/day, but planning to use it only when needed. I am still HIGH at 6 hours later after the pill. Worked for migraine, not so much for the pelvic pain. Made me really drowsy and euphoric. Sorry, I am typing this while still tripping, and it all seems really, really funny to me. I am smiling! I feel like I need to share this! Also, it did irritate my stomach, which I can tell by bitter-acidic burps. Aaaaahh, this is the most trippy review you have ever read lolololololllllllllll. Should I give the drug an extra score for the high?"

• Lul...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 6, 2021

Diclofenac for Migraine "Cambia has taken my migraine away in as short as 15 min, the longest it took was 30 min. It doesn't make me tired or groggy or foggy-headed like a lot of migraine meds, so I can continue with my day."