I detoxed off morphine/Oxycodone and use the patches when needed. I will take a couple of 500mg Tylenols for lots of things, but when it starts getting bad I use up to three of the patches at one time. And I agree, placement is very important.

I called the people who make them, asking if I could warm them in any way. The lady said they did not investigate what temperatures over 98.6 degrees might do to the patches. So we (my wonderful wife and I) put them next to our skin for as long as practical and then put them on. If I don't do this, and then I put a cold one on my back, the muscles tie themselves in a knot. Warm is good for me.

yes...
 

when I put them on--- it is a cold painful 10 seconds.

My husband feels so bad when he puts them on my back, and
I OWWWWEEEEEE.

Cut in half doesn't seem as dramatic. And it is much worse on the back for some reason. I never thought to warm them up.
I thought it was a "nerve" thing.

mrsD, We simply take them out of the package, then slide them under our shirt for awhile. The longer you "warm" them the less discomfort you have. Three of them on my lower back area is a shock to my system.

Lidoderm and other pain meds
 

I've been using Lidoderm patches for several years now and have not had any problem with other meds (currently they are: MS Contin, Valium, Baclofen and Percoset). The patch is very handy to have to nip muscle spasms in the bud for me, if I get it on early enough, sometimes that's all it takes.

Oh yes... and I often put a Thermacare heat wrap right over it. No problem with doing that either.