HI Helen
I am sorry that you have so many health things on going. But, it was good to hear you make a joke about being a temple in ruins.
The lidoderm patches, where do you place them? On your feet or at the origin of the ridiculopathy. I place mine on the small of my back, upper hip area.

The pain is coming from there to my feet. When I get the weird sensations in the feet I use preperation H, it has lidocain in it to numb. THe % is lower then the patches, but at least it is directly on the sensory skin area. Otherwise, If I cut a piece of patch and then put a sock on to hold it. I use arch supports, like a band of ace bandage to hold it in place.

Today I have in the small of my back and one cut in half on each hip to the sides of the low spine.
feel better soon
Di