gels and creams
 

do any of you use ketamine or lidocaine compound gels?
steff

Not tried them. I have just recently tried the Bio-Freeze gel (go to their site and ask them to send you a sample) and I must say I'm very impressed. I expected a feeling of extreme cold or heat and had neither. All I felt was 'normal'. No pain and the sensation of burning in my feet was gone. I'm going to get some more as soon as I can afford it.

Word of caution...this stuff is strong and will clear your sinuses better than anything I've ever used. So make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after using the gel. I can only imagine how painful this stuff would be if one were to get it in their eyes.

Barbara

I use the lidocaine patches, not gel. I don't know anything about the gel, except once being given it for a mouth sore.

I find the lidocaine patches work 100% on one nagging problem: I get itching on the top or sides of my feet that has the potential to drive me nuts and keep me awake. But the patches silence the itching totally.

I also have gotten relief when I get a repetitive sensation of stabbing that seems to be from one nerve over and over, usually, again, on a foot. A patch the size of a nickel over the spot can stop the shocking sensations.

I'm wearing the patch right now. I forgot I had it on.

I have sciatica and the weather here in Brooklyn is nuts. One day you freeze, the next day it's 90 degrees.

So around 4 p.m. I couldn't move without pain, so I got a patch, gave it to Alan, he put it on my lower back. Forgot it was even there.

And Alan walked to the Feast (a festival they have in Brooklyn in August). The man hasn't walked anywhere in 18 months.

Tonight he walked 12 blocks there and back to our house.

Now that is a miracle.

Melody

i use the lidocain patch, they do almost nothing for me. just a little surface skin pain. does nothgin for the deep nerve throbbing up and down my legs or in my feet. i wish it would do something for one spot. i have on in each foot that is horrid.
it seems when i read the posts that many people can walk a little. i really cant walk and i hurt so bad i want to check out
i was wondering about the ketamine.
steff

Steff:

What does the neurologist say about this?

From the way you describe things, it sounds more like you need a medication that works all over. I think you mentioned Cymbalta or maybe Lyrica, neither of which I know anything about, but maybe it would be a good idea to just accept that you are going to have to take something like this to get some relief. All meds have some side effects, but those beat checking out.

I still wonder if inflammation is not the key here. If it is, it probably would not take very much inflammation of sensory nerves to make you miserably uncomfortable...

Hang in there,
Cathie

cathy
 

What did you mean by this:?
I still wonder if inflammation is not the key here. If it is, it probably would not take very much inflammation of sensory nerves to make you miserably uncomfortable...
lyrica cant take-
might try another antidepressent on monday-
neuro out of town-
cant seem to get anywhere-just want to drug me up-
seems to me other people get more care or different help-
maybe mine is hopeless according to the docs
steff

suggestion--
 

Lidocaine patches (Lidoderms) often have to be placed carefully. I have found that placing them over the nerves where you think you feel pain, can fail.

Try placing them higher...in the lower back on the side of the pain. This works
better for me for 90% of my issues. This numbing then interrupts the signals before they get to the spine or nerve roots.

Hi Steff:

What I meant was that if inflammation is playing a part in your pain, perhaps treating for inflammation, rather than just pain medication alone, would have some positive results...

Has anyone tried you on any anti-inflammatories? I am sorry I can't remember if you have posted about this or not... Old age, I guess...

Cathie

I agree w/Mrs D
 

Also the size of those 4x6" patches? Well, I cut them up with a pair of 'dedicated scissors' [the glue stuff is very sticky on the scissors and ....] and use 2/4" or 3x3" bits where I need them, when I need them. Remember you can't use any one on you for more than 12 Hours. I use them about every other day sparingly as needed. At times I find I'm more irritated by the adhesive than the actual stuff in the patch.
I've found that for some reason the patches' stuff can go in deeper than topicals, but if I've a deep pain, the Tramadol and the like is MUCH better. - j