If you cover the lidocaine cream/ointment with Saran wrap, you
may find it penetrates better.

Just don't do this 24hrs a day... do it like the patches...12 hrs on and 12 hrs off. Lidocaine "can" affect the heart.

I would like to SINCERELY thank you ALL. I know I'm a "newbie" and a lot of you have been dealing with this for years. But the moral support as well as the information is soooo appreciated! I have been pretty kinda scared of all this, it feels very daunting! As well as hard for others to understand. A lot of people don't understand when they can't SEE why the pain is there. I haven't had the extreme swelling, or severe discoloration. Just a little swelling, slight mottled color, very cold temps, sweaty/clammy feeling. So truly from the bottom of my heart thank you! It's making a huge difference to have people who understand, who know, and who can offer a little advice and support!

I see my specialist tomorrow, so maybe I can get a little help and direction to truly start the healing process!

I use a generic 2.5% cream by Fougera that my pharmacy charges $12 for. I found a 2% version online for as low as $3.50 a bottle with a quick search. You can't bath in this stuff, and there are restrictions with the patches as well.
There's also a 5% version, so discuss it with your doc and pharmacist.

I haven't tried low dose naltrexone, but it's something worth researching, as well.