[bptoo]

My Pain Management doctor recently rx'd some Lidoderm 5% patches for ongoing pain that I have in my back and knee. The patches contain Lidocaine, the same medication that's used to deaden the area when you get stitches, spinal injections, etc. The patches are pretty good in size, I'm guessing 4 x 6 inches, and you can use up to 3 at one time. Each patch contains 665mgs of 5% Lidocaine. What I've experienced is that I feel no numbness, but they definitely do take the edge off severe pain. And if you're a severe pain sufferer, you know what a relief it can be to just take that edge off for awhile. They are suppose to last for up to 12 hours, but I've found them to be most effective in the 7-8 hour range. I think most importantly, they are helping me to cut back a little on the use of my pain meds which is normally pretty significant. I don't see there being any potential for addiction to them, but I could be wrong. Hopefully if Cam sees this he can give his input on that.

If you're having bad pain, this might be worth talking to your doctor about. I hope this is of some help to someone here.

Greg

"You might as well learn to like yourself; you have an awful lot of time to spend with you."

[Fuzzybear]

I hope these continue helping you, Greg. I probably shouldn't be posting here but I try to pay attention to the Poohbahs of drugs

Fuzzy xx

I thought I'd spelt that word wrong

[nightdream]

Hi,

I would like to ask you something. Does these patches only prescribe when the pain medications doesn't work anymore or can you have it instead of the medications?

Thank you! Take good care!

nightdream

[bptoo]

Hi nightdream,

No, actually she (my PM doctor) rx's them in addition to my regular pain meds. It's been nice the last few days because I haven't had to take quite as many meds, and my poor abused tummy is getting a bit of a rest. You could try them instead of the pain medication, but I don't think they'd be strong enough on their own for severe pain. But, there may be a stronger patch, like a 10% or 20%. Can I ask what type of pain you're dealing with?

I have a bulging disc in my spine in the neck area, a pinched nerve in my upper back that causes my left arm to go numb, and almost all the cartlidge in my right knee is gone and my orthopedist says I'm very close to needing a complete knee replacement. On those days when all three are acting up, not even the pain meds help.

If you decide to talk to your doc about the patches, let me know what you find out, OK?

You take care of yourself,
Greg

"You might as well learn to like yourself; you have an awful lot of time to spend with you."

[nightdream]

Hi,

Thank you for replying to me!

I had a work injury in year 2000. My right shoulder blade was severely damage and it also affect my right arm. Specialists did the best they could about it but the pain is sometime very severe. When I'm working I'm constantly on pain medication. When I'm not working there is days I can do without the pain medication. Lets say the pain is still there but less severe so I try to manage without it.

I asked you because I'm very sensitive to medication. Everything get me sick and I'm alergic to a lot of them. I think I'm going to ask my doctor about the patches. I have nothing to loose. Might turn out ok for me.

I'm sorry for your pain. I hope it get a bit better for you. Take good care!

Thank you very much!
nightdream

[Willow]

THanks for bringing these to my attention. I might ask a doctor about them. I think my pain is due to muscle tension and grinding my teeth. My Psychdoc keeps thinking the lexapro will help me relax and the pain will eventually fade. Maybe something nonaddictive like those patches would help on my neck and jaws.

[(JD)]

hmmm... would be interested in Cam's response. Maybe just because they are so "weak" they might not be considered addictive?

Even Unguentine (sic) has lidocaine in it so I can see why these would help. Unfortunately, I am allergice (highly sensitive) to Lidocaine.

If anyone is highly allergic, they can find a specialist ENT who works with allergies and can not only determine those meds you are allergic to, but often desensitize you so you can take them! This might be a good answer for others who are desperate...

<font color=green>...I can misspeak like the best of us</font color=green>

greg...may i as what your oral pain medication is? i have been on pain meds for my back since 1998,primarily darvacett.....julia

[bptoo]

Hi julia,

Yeah, I take Norco, 1-2 every four hours depending on pain. And I take a new med that's been out about 6-7 months called Avinza. It's a timed release Morphine capsule. I take one 60 mg capsule every 24 hours. It's been by far the most effective med for long term relief that I've tried.

Greg

"Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said."

[(JD)]

Have you tried a TENS unit for that pain?

<font color=green>...I can misspeak like the best of us</font color=green>

[bptoo]

Hi Sky,

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it. Yeah, my PM doc and I talked about, but because I have nerve damage along with disc damage in my back, she feel that the electric pulses would probably trigger the problem with the nerve. When it acts up. I get a real sharp pain that extends out from my spine into my left scapula, and then shorty after my left arm goes completely numb from my shoulder to my fingertips.

I wish there was a no medication answer for this, and the only one is surgery. Until I can get a full-time job with benefits, it's just not an option right now. I'm a contract worker here. I've already talked to one of my supervisors here and they've told me that if I was to opt to have a surgery that would keep me out for a minimum of four weeks, they would have no choice but to replace me. I can't afford to lose my job.

Again, thanks for the idea. I appreciate you thinking about me.

Greg

"Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said."

[(JD)]

k. I don't know everything, but the response your pm gave doesn't make sense to me. I do know that some doctors think of TENS only as a stimulator... totally disregarding the aspect that it disrupts the screwy message the nerve is sending about pain, the tens disrupts the message so the brain doesn't receive it, so the brain doesn't interpret it as pain... thereby you don't either.

I just talked with a neuro that also had forgotten that aspect. go figure.

oh well. good wishes.

<font color=green>...I can misspeak like the best of us</font color=green>

thanks for the reply!