Hi All
I have been dealing with a pesky problem, and I hope somebody has a "cure". I have mild PN in my feet, along with a bunch of other aches and pains. PM rx'd lidoderm patches to be used where and when as necessary.

I can't get the blasted things to stay stuck!!!!! I've tried paper tape, that works on my feet, but if I have to use one on my back or neck, either I can't reach, or even the tape doesn't stick.

This is the first and only type patch I've ever used. Does anybody have any ideas?

Thanks, Barb

I know some people on the RSD Forum us Lidocaine patches were talking a while back about them not sticking...


Here are the links where they talk about them and sticking:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=11446

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=15690


I hope you can find some answers here....


Abbie

It is best to clean off the skin first with a little alcohol.
Any lotions or soap residue will affect adhesion negatively.

Also, since Lidoderms use a water based aqueous adhesive any moisture/sweating will dissolve them and then they move around.

I put them on the tops of my feet (not the bottom) and interrupt the nerves
before they get to the ankle. I have found over the years that putting them
on the target pain, is not as useful. If you are trying them on the bottom of
the feet, there are many sweat glands there, and that may be your problem.

The only place I have problems is in the lower back. Especially in the summer.
I use a plastic micropore tape by 3M to keep them in place there. They typically stay on the backs of my knees and top of the foot with no problems.

Placed where there is friction or moisture/sweating and they absorb it like a sponge. Once I took one off on the dock up North on vacation, and forgot it there, and it swelled up like some alien thingey! Weird.

I know Roxie uses them for her back and finds them helpful. I have found them to increase my pain but I am weird. It is not from the meds inside but anything resting on my pain area even a finger aggrevates. As for the stick if you are just getting out of the shower or bath try to wait a little so your skin is not so wet still. The foot sounds hard if on the bottom. Could you put it on the top and may stick better?

Thank you all. I wait to put them on the bottoms of feet, untill I am well dried off from the shower. Those are the main ones I have to tape. If I put one on my neck it doesn't stay, and due to mobility problems with my arms, I can't do the tape. If I stick one on a shoulder, it stays stuck. I had a thought today, hmmmm, that could be dangerous! maybe I could just email the company and see if they have any suggestions, or maybe I could suggest to them to improve the sticky stuff!!!!
Barb

because of the oils from the hair. This is when cleaning the skin with
alcohol is useful.

I find putting the patches on the ends of the nerves where you "feel" the pain, is less productive and can make the pain more intense even.

I put them higher up along the nerve path, and stop the signal that way.
I have no increased pain from that style.
I would NEVER use them on the bottoms of the feet myself. They are much
more effect on the top toward the inner ankle bone (just below) since that
is where the nerves exit the tarsal tunnel.

When I first got them for my MP... years ago when they first came out...I tried putting them where I felt the pain in my thigh. I learned very quickly that was a waste. Now I use them based on anatomy pictures I look up, at the exit of the nerve from the abdomen thru the inguinal opening. They effectively stopped my pain in 14 days, and it has not returned! (I do have some left over numbness, but I can certainly live with THAT).

For knee pain I only use them behind the knee. They work far better near the meniscal nerve, than on the front, where I feel the pain.

So over the years I strongly recommend careful placement for best results.

Hi there:

You need to try and find this product (or something similar in your country).

It's called JOHNSON AND JOHNSON Bioclusive Transparent Dressing.

It's not the easiest thing to use. You have to peel it off in different places (took me forever to learn how to use this when I covered Alan's duragesic patches with this).

BUT IT WORKS. Once you place this thing over your lidoderm patch, it won't move.

Waterproof too!!! Hope you can find it, or something similar.

Thanks Melody!!
I will look for that when at my "favorite" store-not-! Walgreens.
Actually, my screen name is a fooler, I am in sunny Florida. I am mom to a 13 year old black-tri Australian Shepherd, Wolfgang Amadoggus!!
Barb

If you apply Lidoderm Patches to a clean, dry spot and they still don't stick, I would call the pharmacy and ask if others are reporting a bad batch or something. They should be nice and gooey, and very sticky.

I use the patches every night. The only time I have had problems with them not sticking is when I have put lotion on my feet shortly before putting on the patch. I also use them on the top of the foot. I cut one patch in half and use a half of a patch on each foot. Just a little $$$ saver, every bit helps!

Good Luck,
Nancy-H

The patches are really large.

I have found cutting them leaves plenty of action, and saves alot of money! The large size is basically for the back (shingles).
I cut them almost always now. 1/2 patch is plenty for one knee for example.

They are one of the few types of patches that you CAN cut up safely. On the curvy back I have cut them in strips like an accordian,
and taped them down, to keep them in place. (when I had that terrible tendon injury, I was desperate and learned some useful
tricks while in the boonies with only Lidoderm and Tylenol.)

If they do not feel cold to the touch when you take the backing off, then if you lightly spritz with water (very lightly) wait a few minutes, they will rehydrate,
and work better.

I really only have problems on sweaty spots (in humid weather) or friction areas.

I really like mine. I think they solve many problems.

Sue, I thought the patches you said your mother was using were Salonpas?
I don't recall giving Lidoderm advice. (but maybe I did).