Hi. For me the lidocaine patch increases my pain but it is from not being able to tolerate them on the rsd areas. I had the lidocaine infusion which also increased my pain but I am an off case if anything usually it does nothing I think. I was told though they are different in there effects. On the PN forum there is a post about these and Mrs D says how important it is to have them placed in a proper way to work. It is not on the actual area but what leads to it. I would check that out. How a non professional would know this I have no idea. Need to go to school to learn how to take meds since docs don't explain.Feel better