I'll give it a try, mrrsD. What's to lose, right?

I agree.... I'd be 'nowhere' if I didn't use creative thinking for my PN and other problems! Thinking outside the box can be very fruitful for some medical issues!

Sometimes a 1/2 patch is enough on the lower back if only one side is affected. If you want to try both sides, do 1/2 on each side to start. That way you save your expensive patches.

I am miserly with mine Lidoderms today still!

Well, been using the lido patches on my lower back for 5 or so days, but not sure if it's helping or not. Isn't that always the way? You try something new and then if you have one or two good days, you think that maybe what you're doing is the reason...or maybe you had one or two good days coming to you anyway.

Guess I'll have to keep trying...it's not like the patches sitting on my shelf have anything better to do.

You can also try them on the back of the knee (1/2 patch). I've had to resort to this for my left ankle...this heat wave is killing my ankle lately!

The Lidoderm works about 80% there for my ankle.

I have not had much success with them on the foot however.

Try moving your patches up the spine, slowly say 2 days at each spot...if lower sacral is not working. Your intercept may be at one of the lumbar exits.

Thanks mrsD. I'll keep trying.

Sorry if I am not posting this in the correct place. Just let me know!

What all have you tried over the years with your MP? I am struggling with these drugs my neuro keeps prescribing. I can not tolerate the bad side effects of Neurontin, Lyrica, and Cymbalta? Were you prescribed these in the past?
From what I read you use the patches & supplements for your pain. I am curious if you went through the realm of drugs that doctors prescribe before finding some relief in a more "natural" way.
Thank you for reading!

No, I did not do the drugs...mostly because they were not available (I think Neurontin had just come out) back then.

I found Lidoderm patches most effective. Avoidance of heat, hot tubs, etc, also keep mine in low gear. No tight clothing. Once I had the remission using the Lidoderm patches, my MP (which was awful, stabbing and unbearable) has been very quiet. I get a twinge now and then from overextension of the leg, but it never went back to the awful quality I had for years.

I do various supplements for my hands and feet, and I think they too helped over time. Fish oil, antioxidants, B12, magnesium are my mainstays. I've done others too like SAMe but I don't recall it changing my MP pain much.

Well, I've tried the Lidoderm patches in various locations for about two weeks, and it just doesn't seem to be helping. I guess they're just not the answer for me.

I started amitriptyline on Monday, so it's too soon to tell. Maybe I'll find the thing that works one of these days. At least this med doesn't seem to be giving me any noticable side effects so far.

I am sorry they are not working for you.

Thanks mrsD. At least I'm feeling hopeful with the new neuro I'm seeing. The amitriptyline was my idea--his intern, or whatever the other guy was, wanted me to try Lyrica, and I said "why do we always go for the most expensive and least tested first?" And the neuro agreed with me.

The last doc I went to (pain management) was punishing me because I decided I didn't want to be in their group PT/OT program, so wouldn't offer any other kind of treatment. That was pretty devastating, but at least now I feel some hope again.

Oh, and happy vacation!