Lidoderm Patches
 

Hi All,:o

I was diagnosised of having RSD on my left foot 4/8/09. My pain doc is going to do a sympathetic nerve block, has this block helped anyone who has RSD. Also through research I have read that lidoderm patches help RSD. I have been having my husband put one patch over my toes and one patch over the rest of my foot. Hurt likes h**l for him to touch my foot and have the patches on my foot, but after about an hour the pain seems to be better. Has this helped anyone. Thanks. Have a nice day.:o

Kate

Hi Kate,
 

welcome to the forum.

I have had blocks and they helped me but a lot of people get no relief from them.

As far as the patches. I have been using them for about 4 years and I love them. You can use 3 at a time and I do see relief even for my pelvic area when I put it on my left thigh area.

Anything that helps us is a blessing.

Ada

Hi. We are all different but I can not tolerate these. A light touch to my rsd area hurts. These increased my pain. I do know many get relief so again it is what works for you and sometimes that may change I have found. Everyone just like the patches get different relief and for different amounts of time with blocks. Are you trying any other meds too? Welcome to the boards too and I am sorry you are facing this too

for me the blocks did help but for only a couple days and i only got any where from 40-60% relief the doc said then that was a success. as for the patches i use them and they work great, i have rsd in my foot and it would hurt so bad to remove it that i cant wear them on my foot but i do use them for my neck and back. good luck on your block... take care michelle

re lidoderm patches
 

From my experience, the blocks are important because they work to reset the recycling pain signal and the patches are good for relief for a short period of time. I use the patches sometimes on my lower back and it does help some. Hope that was helpful.

I have not had any blocks..I know they are coming,though:confused: I am in the same place per your question. The thought of needles :eek: I have to give blood at my PM appts., hurts for 2 weeks afterward.

I have used the Lidoderm patch and the Flector pain patches. Flector is a lot more expensive, as it has a stronger dose of pain killer. I find relief in both patches. I have not been able to wear either one the 12 hrs. that script indicates. I can take about 4 hrs. at one time.

I have noticed that the Lidoderm patch stays in place better than the Flector patch. The flector patch is thicker in form.

Welcome to the forum.:hug:
Dew

Welcome to the forum.

I have an implanted SCS, and the generator/battery is in my hip - just above where the back pocket would be on a pair of jeans. It is installed very shallow. In fact, it sticks out and it feels like I am sitting on a fat wallet. (I wish! ;)).

I use the Lidoderm patches to (1) lessen the pain form the skin stretching and the scar and (2) to act as padding so I don't accidentally bump the SCS generator.

For this purpose it works pretty well. I would not say I am pain-free, but it is much better than just being bare.

Mike

bassman

my dad has a scs unit and it is the same way, you can see it sticking out of his skin, it was not deep enough and he says that pants hurt around his waist and when sitting it hurts.

Sorry for going off-topic a bit...

How big are these SCS devices? Larger than a pacemaker? Smaller? About that size? I'd think that they would be able to at least make them as small as possible for it to be comfortable. And if they are too uncomfortable for men, then what are women supposed to do? A woman's body is smaller. That's just another thing I didn't know about SCS. I had heard about loose leads and shocks coming from the devices, but this too is a major disadvantage. Thanks for sharing!

I wouldn't want to be without these patches.
I cut them into 2" strips.
Put them across my neck, and low back.
I re-wet them, with warm water sometimes, sometimes before i put them on. It gets the meds flowing faster. And, they stick better.

Sometimes, I cut them longways, and put them down my forearm, while I type, or around my wrist. For the forearm TOS Carpel tunnel pain.
Life Savers!
If I go food shopping and hafto lift, or walk, my low back. On my neck, they'll actually prevent the tightness that causes headaches, and pain down the arm.
And, as I've said.

Don't underestimate Lidocaine or Flector patches.

Ironically, I've NEVER used an entire patch, all in one spot.

Pete
asb

Mike,
Apparently, you guys need more cush in the tush. lol Reed has the same problem, and he has constant pain ( just annoying pain) where his battery is. He has lidoderm patches too, for that purpose. I never even thought about it for the padding!

Also, to the person (geesh my memory is crap) who asked about the size.. I don't know how big a pace maker is, but my fiance' has a Boston Scientific SCS and his battery is about the size of a half-dollar I would guess. This is from judging the size of the lump on his rear. :o

pain relief
 

Hi Everyone, I'm new to this forum. I normally hang out in the brain injury forums & Alzhiemers...I have CRSD 2....& I care for my mom who has Alzh,Schiz,& LBD....

My Pain Clinic Doc. just Dx me w/this CRSD 2...although i have had it since my accident 9 yrs. ago. So the pain is NOT new.:(

Moms illness has really taken most of my time so my 3x a week PT has been reduced to once a week if I am lucky! So I find myself in much more pain these days...& like you all, looking for ways to deal.

I have been getting Cortisone injections..usually 4-5 in dif. locations, every other month....They help Sometimes. Someone had mentioned Botox for Pain relief? Has anyone tried this yet?

Currently my pain control involves a TENS unit or Two...Vicodan 3x daily, which I hate...Cortisone injections, PT that gives me a good variety of Laser treatments, Ultra sound heat, Massage, Strenghtening exercise, Heat & Ice packs, and Mylfasia Release.......

I have Not tried the pain patches yet. Are they prescription?

I have Many Pain issues, too many to descibe....just as many of you are dealing with. I know as of yet there is no "magic bullet"...but ANY relief would be so nice:D......Any idea's or suggestions are very welcomed...Thanks

And also, Please excuse typo's as my brain is backwards & spellcheck won't work for me:o

Hi Gardengirl,
 

The Lidoderm patches are prescription.

Some people can't use them but I get a lot of relief with mine.

Sorry to hear you are going through so much.

Hang around you will learn a lot and meet a lot of good people.

Ada

RSD Questions
 

Hi dreambeliever128,

Thanks glad to know the blocks helped you. And glad you get relief from the patches,:)

kate

Thanks
 

Hi Daneilla,

Thanks for answering my post. To answer you question I do take 300 mg lyrica a day, lidoderm patches, klonopin 1 mg a day, percocet 5mg 1 4 times a day, and robaxin 750 2 times a day, and other drugs for other med conditions.

Kate

Thanks
 

Hi Michelle,

Glad you got some relief from the blocks even though it was a couple of days. I wear my lidoderm patches at night on my foot and usually if and when I can get to sleep they fall off when I am a sleep. Thanks for the good luck on the block will keep you posted on how it goes.

Kate

Hello
 

Hi Bunnehead,

Thanks for the info about the blocks. Glad the patches help your lower back.:)

Kate

Hello
 

[QUOTE=Dew58;502256]I have not had any blocks..I know they are coming,though:confused: I am in the same place per your question. The thought of needles :eek: I have to give blood at my PM appts., hurts for 2 weeks afterward.

I have used the Lidoderm patch and the Flector pain patches. Flector is a lot more expensive, as it has a stronger dose of pain killer. I find relief in both patches. I have not been able to wear either one the 12 hrs. that script indicates. I can take about 4 hrs. at one time.

I have noticed that the Lidoderm patch stays in place better than the Flector patch. The flector patch is thicker in form.

Welcome to the forum.:hug:

Dew[/QUOTE

Hi Dew,

I have had blocks in the past for other probs with my back. they are not that bad, they usually give you a local and some anesthesia and you don't even feel it when the doc gives the block. You just have to have someone drive you home, ice the spot where the doc gave you the block and pray it helps/works. I have had 8 blocks over the past 6 years and have not had good luck with them, but that is me and everybody is different. I have never had a sympathetic block and when I do get it, I hope/pray it helps me. thanks Dew:hug:

Kate

Hello
 

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the welcome. Mike does the scs help you? My pain doc is talking about trying the scs for my pain in Dec 09 after it has been a year from my 3 back surg and 3 back fusion. glad the lidoderm patches help you for your scs. I hope/pray that we all can be pain free one day. :hug:mike

Kate

Hello
 

Hi asb,

I always wondered if I could cut lidoderm patches and how they would work cut. That is also very interesting about wetting a lidoderm patch to get the med in your system faster and that they stick better wet. I will have to try this some time in the future. Thanks for the info asb.

Kate

Placement is very important with Lidoderms.

I find they work best for me away from where I feel my PN pain,
and higher up along the nerve route to the spinal cord.

I use anatomy pictures from the net to place mine.
If I put them right on the pain, they don't work.

I've been using them since 2002. Originally they were for a severe MP condition (meralgia paresthetica). After 2 wks of using them every day...the nerve (lateral femoral cutaneous) stopped firing and I had a huge remission. I occasionally get a twinge now, if I overdo that leg, but it was a dramatic improvement for me.

So if you use them, try to do them for several days in a row. Not just here or there. You might find a more complete response.

I don't use the whole patch either. 1/2 is plenty for my back or feet. This way they last longer (expensive)
We have several posts about them on PN if you use the search function there.

mrsD, you Always have such great info! I think I will try the chart as well...Heck, even the Dr. doesn't inject where I feel the pain but at the TRIGGER points, so it makes a lot of sence.
BTW,,what plant is that a pic of? BEAUTYFUL! (Sorry, off topic)

I still wonder if anyone has ever used the Botox injections for muscle pain? If I could get the darn muscle to stop inflaming...I would think it would stop pressing on the nerves so much??

God Bless my 2 SCS! they are about the size of a pacemaker. I am a smaller sized woman and yes they do stick out a bit. They are purposely implanted just under the skin. They do have to be changed every 7-10 years like a pacer and if they were implanted deeper... the thought makes me shudder. The benefits far outwiegh the risks for me personally. I don't worry about bumping then generators. I have one on each side of my rib cage and I sleep on my side on them. Hell I even wear a two piece bathing suit on occasion. My apin level is more important to me me than what I look like. If I look unuuasual to someone that is their problem not mine. I live my life a little lumpier but with less pain.

Regarding the size of the SCS, mine is a Metronics unit, about the size of a cigarette pack, but only about 3/8 in thick. At the time it was put in, I questioned the placement because I really don't have much padding there. The doctor and Medtronics rep assured me the "they were all installed in that spot" even though their own literature suggested the abdomen was another location that is common. About 18 months later, a different neurosurgeon looked at it and said he would have never put it there. It's really not an appearance problem. (My wife says it's hardly noticeable even though it feels like it is a huge lump.) But rather, the pressure of it poking my skin creates more pain that it is worth at times. The anchors that hold the leads into the spinal column were also not driven into the vertebrae deep enough, making another sharp point from the inside.

The SCS worked pretty well for me for a while. I had it implanted in 2003, and it was placed to hit my left lower leg and foot. I was really glad I had it. After about two years, one of the leads stopped working. The Medtronics rep could not get it going and said it would need to be repositioned when the SCS was replaced. Starting about a year later, it seemed that the SCS was more annoying than helpful. My RSD also began spreading, after 20 years, to my other leg and up into my shoulders. The SCS was not placed to address those areas.

As of now, I still have the SCS but turn it on only during the worst flares, but it really isn't doing much. I would probably get the insurance company to approve me to get another. I am still unsure if I want to try an updated model, installed by a better surgeon, or have the thing removed altogether. It would sure make flying easier than trying to explain it to TSA agents who never heard of the device.

There have been lots of discussion threads about this. Many people have been extremely satisfied. Take lots of time to research it before you plunge ahead to do this.

Mike

If you look on you tube or search metronics and ans they show the sizes of the scs and videos on them. I was given both from my doctors too. Of course the companies show all the positives you get from it. Everyone is different though some get relief and some have issues with it. I wish there was more concrete of course.

I have a newer Medtronics model SCS just got a year ago. Its only a little bigger maybe than a silver dollar. Its pretty small. Mine is cervical but my generator is planted in my rear in end near the back pocket of a jean. I am not a small skiiny perosn about average but I can feel the implant. It doesnt really bother me. What bothers me is that my RSD spread to that area & other areas in my back when I had suregry for the implant. I would not want to go without my SCS. It is a great deal of help. I would check out the differnt websites for the companies it gives the dimensions of the devices & shows pictures.

I tried the Lidoderm patches and it hurt too bad to put them on. There was no pain relief, so I quit using them.

Hi Mike,
Reed also wonders sometimes if it was worth it. He's having more pain in his back recently. It also swells..not like an infection, and not exactly where the battery or leads are. I sometimes wonder if he's not experiencing spreading. I sure hope not!
His battery is small, but he has no rump.. so it does stick out a bit. His leads, where they looped them to help hold them in place, stick out too, and that's where alot of his pain is coming from. He says it pinches and his back burns. The PM doc is talking about revision if they can't get a better re-programming. I'm not sure Reed will go through that again. He got tremendous relief from the SCS at first, but once those leads moved the tiniest bit, he got hardly anything, and it's been reprogrammed 3 times with little improvement. anyway, hope things are well for you and your family. :)
hugs to all!:grouphug:

Rita,
on that subject, (I have No experience with any kind of pump), but, I wonder weather the Lidocaine patch, (I've never used a whole one, I cut them to fit),
I wonder, if it would help Reed, if applied over the area where the pump is?
I'd bet it would...
Some "padding" and local pain relief".
I hope he asks his doc!

Pete
asb

:grouphug:

Lidoderm
 

:wink:Hi Kate I am also new to to RSD have it since 7/15/07,started in my lft foot due to mutlpiple injuries then surgr and went into my upper body feb of 08.yes i have had never blks and loved:D them so much,but my copayment got to be much so i saw another PD and he said lets try epidurals they will work the same and help with my back, but what works for one might not work for the other,as far as patches i love the flector patch it gives me more relif in my hands,due to med in the patch itself, Good Luck Let me know how u make out.:hug::hug::grouphug:

Oppy,
I have about a quarter, of a flector patch on my low back all day.
(Using just a small part, I don't worry about taking them off, until I shower, or, they just fall off).
But, It's been effective all day today!
That' good news.

Heck, I don't really remember when I put it on? It must've been during my "sleep", early AM. (OK, now you know I haven't showered today yet).
But, i will, and it's still working!

I'm starting to believe, the Flectors may work a bit better than the lidocaine's, (Is my point)....


pete
asb

LOL Pete! And thanks for the advice. I'll have him talk to the doc about that. :hug: