Lidocane Patch Questions....
 

Hi. Haven't been here too much. I have a stump neuroma that grew back after surgery last year. I also have a newly diagnosed new Morton's Neruoma inbetween the next two toes on my left foot. I also developed CRPS in the last year.
mn
Any advice is welcome.

Do any of you use lidocaine patches and/or lidoderm cream for the pain and how do you use them?

Thanks,
:)

I have a script for up to 3 Lidoderm patches for 12 hours a day - 2 of which I use on my shoulder, and the other I stick on my upper back just under my cervical spine. I use Voltaren, which is diclofenoc sodium topical gel, (or like a motrin gel, per my PM doc), wherever it would be impossible to put a patch or part of a patch - (you can cut them up in pieces if you want), like on my neck, in my hair, on my hands and feet when they hurt, etc. The equivalent of the Voltaren gel in patches is the Flector patch, which I also have. I use them when I have pain and have used up the Lidoderm for the day, or need more than 3 patches at a time - like when my leg really hurts and I need a patch for it. The Flector patches work pretty well, too, but I like the Lidoderm patches better, so I use those during the day and save the Flector patches for night time.

The patches have medication on them, so when you put them on your skin they numb the skin that they cover. For me, they also serve as a shield between my clothes and my skin. And since I suffer from terrible occipital pain in my head, I rub the Voltaren gel almost every night on the back of my head in my hair to chill the burning pain. Sometimes I put it on my face and the top of my head, too. It works really well and washes off very easily in the shower in the morning.

Let me know if you have any other questions. XOXOX Sandy

Hi,
 

I have used lidocaine patches for years. They do help. As Sandy said, you can use 3 at a time.

I also have a Neuroma between my toes on my RSD foot. I have had shots in it to help. I was going to have surgery to remove it but I decided not to go that route on account of bringing the RSD out more. I have wrapped the patches around my foot too.

Ada

Thanks Sandy
My podiatrist told me to wear them 12 hours on 12 hours off........or something like that. They help me enormously or else I wouldn't sleep at all. Glad you have so much relief from them. How horrible for you to have all that pain in your head. Sorry to hear that. Thanks for your input.

I had one neuroma removed last year.......it grew back and I also never had one, free day without pain. It was awful. Went back to work until I couldn't stand it. New MRI showed stump neuroma and a huge new big one. I have so much pain from that and throw the RSD on top..........
How do you handle your neuroma pain? I have never met anyone with the same symptoms as myself so I am excitied. I am not excited that you have the same lousy symptoms but someone who has same diagnosis. It is horrible painful for me. I don't seem to have many good days anymore. have tried many things.........two pain doctors, one of best hospitals in Boston, physi. Therapy, tetc. etc. etc. Doctor has told me to quit everything for now since phys. ther. screwed up my foot more. Anyhow, i could go on forever. Glad to hear from you. Thanks so much, dreambeliever.

You are very welcome. I hope that you find a solution for your pain. I see Dr. Reyes at St. E's in Boston for my RSD, he has helped me a lot, hope to start ketamine infusions soon if WC judge approves my doctor's request (I would get them in southern NJ since they aren't available in New England).

The best of luck to you...never give up, try to find the very best docs that you can for your RSD.

XOXOX Sandy

I can't tolerate these but I can't tolerate a finger on my pain area when in a flare up. I know they help some though. Mrs D always said though placement is key and it is not always on the area. If you search about the patch it should come up on placement

Hi Ouchy,
 

You asked how I handle my Neuroma? One thing I have gotten shots in my foot, they do hurt but it's better then surgery. I have a great foot Dr. He was going to do surgery but when I decided to have the shots, he did it with no argument. Not a money hungry Dr. I have had them twice. The last one was 3 years ago and my kids got me a pair of New Balance shoes and they have helped me also. I also was diagnosed with Plantar Fascious in my feet. They burn on the bottom. I used lidocaine patches and as I said the New Balance shoes helped. I walk everyday. Yesterday, I walked 3 miles. It's been in the 60's here so it's been great walking weather.

I'm sorry that you have went through this. Before any surgery, I also ask for blocks. With every surgery I had with blocks the RSD didn't return in that area but when I didn't have blocks it did.

Another thing I think is important is to find good Drs. If they mention surgery right away, run for a second opinion, or third if that's what it takes to find that right Dr. that you click with.

I also keep Methadone around if I need it. I was able to go off of it months ago and only take it when I am at my worst. Summers are harder on me then winters. The heat puts me in flares.

I do hope that the pain calms down fo r you soon. I use to wonder which was worse not being able to use my arms and hands or not being able to use my legs and feet. Believe me, either is bad.

Ada

My wife who has RSD could not handle the lidocaine patch, complaining that it burned her skin. However, she does use lidocaine cream very often and says it helps with pain.

I am right there with her, Jim. I can use the cream though. The patch was working on my arm, but then I could stand the stickiness of them so they put me on the cream. I make a homemade lotion with clove oil, it is cheaper and works just as well and the lido cream.

Although I have rsd, I use the patches, I get about three (cut) out of a whole one.
I use them on my neck, and low back, the places where I have disc problems.
I've never used a whole patch,
Just because I find them effective for what I need, and my medications work very well, but not for that disc pain. (Sorry for that ill constructed sentences today, cluster HA.)

I also cut them for use on my forearms, around my wrists and across the top of my hands. (occasional) If I hafto type a lot, or if I'm playing my guitar a lot...
Often, just putting them on my forearm (cut them longways) down the top of my hand, takes the pain out of my hands. (TOS).

pete

I just started the patches 3 days ago and today had bad naseua-Anyone experience this?

I don't know about nausea, but as I said, I 've never used an entire patch.
Check the literature.
Call your doc, maybe start with less.
(I'm naturally nauseated).

I had a friend who used like 5 of those things on her back. Think that's overdoing it?
I was under the impression that these are an "addendum" to our other pain meds. Or, for very localized pain. Am I wrong?

pete

I love them! I do, however have to tape them down each night. That tends to leave sticky places and sores. Seems like we RSD'rs have to pick the lesser of two evils, so sticky butt is MUCH better than the pain! You can cut them up and use them for trigger points, which is great!

Hi,
 

edever, I have had the naseua when I left them on too long and it could be that you need to get use to them. If you have just started using them, it could be from that.

I cut mine too, Pete a lot of times. They work good either way.

Ada

Kim,
I've found that they may stick better if you run HOT water over the sticky side for a few seconds before you put them on... especially when I cut them in smaller pieces.
Or, if they loose their "stick", you can do the same.
The gel is water based, so it doesn't hurt...

Good luck!

pete

Ahhh!

Thanks Pete! I have become quite creative with anything that will ease my pain. I would have never thought of that! Let you know how it works!

Kim

Thanks Daniella,
The doctor told me to place the 1/2 patch below the neuromas. But now, with the help from you guys, I put another 1/2 on the back since the neuroma hurts right through to the underside of foot. Thanks for you info!! Greatlyappreciated.

I use both of them, too. Sometimes, the patches don't feel right, and then i don't use them. It is such a game of figuring everything out. Thanks for the reply.:)

Thank you for response-I did cut them-but put on 6 places. I will try to cut down and get used to them. When I said I was nasueated I mean HORRIBLE- Anyone else get this side effect? It is on the pamplet .

I am with Pete, these are an addendum, I have used them for over five years and am very sensitive, never had any problems with them. The only way to find out if it is the patch is to stop using them completely and see if the nausea goes away. It should leave your system within twelve hours. You need to know if it is the patch that is causing your nausea, and inform your doctor of your side effect.

Jeanie

Sandy,
I was given Lidoderm patches early in my crps diagnosis. I was also diagnosed iwth Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome in my crps affected foot. I cut them up to fit the affected area where I wanted relief. They were wonderful for the tarsal tunnel. And at the beginning when the pain wasn't so intense they did work for the crps.

I say use them they do work. The only time I had them off was when I was in PT or the shower.

Hoping for a pain free day for all.

Susan

Thanks for the advice. I really couldn't sleep without them now. I used to use cold wraps until my doc said that was a big 'no no" with RSD. So, now the patches seem to help. Thanks, Daniella.:)

Clove oil..........interesting. My daughter picked up some real Tea Tree Oil from a Whole Foods Store since i read up on natural anti-inflammatories. You should mix it with water in a spray bottle and it is cooling for a while. It takes some of burning feeling away.....I don't know exact measurements, though.

I cut them up, too. I don't usually use the whole patch. But the doc says that I could put 1/2 half on one foot with the neuromas and RSD and 1/2 on other foot that just has one neuroma, no RSD. I hear that doctors put them all over their bodies when in surgery. Funny, huh? And we are worried about using too many.

Hi Kim,
I have become a master at cutting them up. Someone said they have tarsal tunnel, too. I have that, also. And the patches help with that as well as the RSD.

I never felt nauseated from them. I think we all react so differently to medication. I tried not to read that pamphlet since it seemed so long. lol
Hope you feel better.

My daughter uses the lidoderm patches too but her problem is they work well while on but stir up the pain again when she pulls them off. We have started running them under water to lossen them up before removing them but they still hurt. For us we arent sure the good they do is worth the pain from pulling them off. Anyone have any secrets for getting them off easily? It's funny that at night they pull off and won't stay on but when your ready to removed them after 12 hours they won't come off for anything!

Shower them off!

I love my lidocaine patches, but yeah, the persistent patch can be a drag. I take a shower with the patch that I am ready to take off. They absorb the water and slide off nicely- no pain or increased skin sensitivity.

Hope this helps!

Lynn

I have a compound (cream) that was prescribed for me, it is lidocaine, ketamine and neurontin. When I have am in a flare I will use that instead of the patch.

Haha! Mine fall off during the night. I only wish I could keep them on (my butt)!

That does work well, but, be sure you have the kind of shower drain that won't let the smaller (cut) peices of the patch, go down!
They swell up, and WILL stop up your drain!

(Always something to watch out for...)

pete

I have no idea where to reply. Do I hit the button right underneath the message or the bottom quick reply? Don't know. Anyhow, the cream works ok for me. I think I mentioned to you about mixing peppermint and tea tree oil in a spray bottle.......it is on the side of bottle. I get the little bottles at Walmart. Cheaper. Today, nothing is helping. Anyhow, I think I sent you this message before. lol

[QUOTE=momw/rsdchild;613442]My daughter uses the lidoderm patches too but her problem is they work well while on but stir up the pain again when she pulls them off. We have started running them under water to lossen them up before removing them but they still hurt. For us we arent sure the good they do is worth the pain from pulling them off. Anyone have any secrets for getting them off easily? It's funny that at night they pull off and won't stay on but when your ready to removed them after 12 hours they won't come off for

anything![/QUOTE

Hi momw/rsdchild,
I never thought of showering with them on in order to get them off, but I have actually done the same thing. I usually pull them off carefully, and sometimes they do sting a bit. Good luck....must be tough to have a child with this nasty RSD. Try the shower, I guess. :)

I agree with Pete. I would probably stop using them and see if your nausea gets any better. I know I always react differently from most people with the drugs given to me. So, I would say some people are more sensitive to some things than others. Have you ever tried the cream? Sorry about my replies: they are everywhere since I am still not sure how to do this. Please bear with me. lol

Mine fall off the underside of my foot, too. I have neuromas , and the pain goes from top to bottom of foot. The surgery for removal of one neuroma led to the develoment of more plus the stump, thus the RSD. But my little patches on the bottom of my feet fall off.........gross feeling when you find them with your toes or something. lol

When my brother was younger, and in high school, the only thing that he asked me for one birthday was a few of my lidocaine patches. I could not figure out why, and asked him why on earth that was his birthday wish. I was informed that they were for "experiments". I persisted and was told, "Well, I want to see what they feel like... on places..." Thirteen year old little brothers!

I've woken up before and had my boyfriend kind of look at me funny and had lidocaine patches attached to my head or face... they like to migrate in the night. One morning my cat was looking quite aggravated and she had one stuck to her fur- very undignified for a little kitty.

Lynn

I have a suggestion for using Lidoderms on the foot. The two major nerves that supply the toes where the neuromas are found can be better reached by putting Lidoderm on the instep (top) of the foot.
This is what I do for my PN. Cut them into 1/2 or 1/3s and use one piece on each foot. The bottom of the foot, is problematic for absorption, of the drug.

Here is a link showing the nerves in the foot...scroll down to near the end:
https://www.northcoastfootcare.com/f...t-anatomy.html

All the nerves that end up on the bottom of the foot branch off at the ankle and instep.

Lidoderms work best when they interrupt signals at points where all the nerves meet and join. The patches are less effective at the site where you "feel" your pain. So some knowledge of anatomy helps here.

The top of the foot also does not sweat so much and hence the patches stay on better. I never use them on the bottom of my feet..even though that is where the pain originates. I only place them on the top instep.

You may do well, to have your Dr. order the compounded Rx which include lidocaine. There will be no patches to deal with. Just a cream to rub in.
It also depends what kind of insurance coverage you have....

Good Luck!

pete

Mrs. D

Always, right on the money!

I can use the lidoderm patches on my neck, shoulders, and it give me relief right down my arm / hands!
It covers the ulna nerve and carpel tunnel.

I used to put them there, but I find that if I use enough up on the neck and accross the top of the shoulders.
It takes care of my entire arms. Mostly.

thanks, as usual!

pete