I have not had any blocks..I know they are coming,though I am in the same place per your question. The thought of needles 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.
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

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.

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.

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.