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.
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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

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

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.