Are the lidoderm patches narcotic? If they are I dont think I can ask for them. My doc will not prescribe narcs, and I have no idea why.

No, they are not narcotic (controlled substance), and there is no risk of addiction/dependence. They are Lidocaine (sorta like Novicaine) in a patch format, in a gel suspension which is absorbed through the skin over a 12 hr period. There are narcotic patches, but those contain Fentanyl, which is a wholly different drug class completely.

Hope this helps some.

Theresa

I have been using the patches for about a year now. I am scheduled for a 2 level lumbar fusion on Nov 1st. I am only using 1 patch per night on my lower back. Being on time released morphine I am not sure if they are helping me or not. I have noticed lately that my skin is burning in the morning when I take the patch off. I leave it on for about 10-11 hours.

HI,I JUST STARTED THE LIDOCAINE PATCHES A FEW HOURS AGO. mY DOC PRESCRIBED THEM FOR ME TO TAKE ALONG W/MY PERCOSETS. SO FAR I HAVE HAD THE MOST RELIEF I'VE FELT IN MONTHS. I'M SCARED THAT CAN CHANGE BCUZ I'VE BEEN ON NARCOTICS FOR OVER 10 YEARS NOW AND BECOME IMMUNE TO THEM EASILY AND THEY QUIT WORKING. I'M 30 AND I HAVE ALOT WRONG W/ME. i'VE HAD FIBRO FOR 7 YRS NOW,RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS FOR 18 YRS,HRYNIATED DISCS,ANNULAR TEAR AND MUCH MORE. THE ARMY IS TRYING TO GET ME IN W/A NUEROSURGEON ASAP. ANYHOO,LOL,I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS BUT I TEND TO BLUBBER. IS THERE ANYONE WHO CAN GIVE ME SOME TIPS ON WHAT THEY DO FOR PAIN RELIEF? THERE ARE SO MANY DAYS I CAN'T EVEN WALK AND MY 2 GIRLS GET SO ANGRY CUZ THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND MOMMA'S SICK. I NEED SOME ANSWERS SO I CAN TRY TO MAKE MY HUBBY AND GIRLS UNDERSTAND BETTER. THANK U ALL!

I take it your in the army?

I am learning to use a computer,the things confuse me,lol. I have some severe problems at 30 yrs old and it's starting to bring me down. I'm on narcotics for about 10 yrs or so now and today i started lidoderm patches. The patches along w/my percosets actually seem to be working. I can walk after having the patch on 4 2 hrs. Earlier i couldn't even stand. Is there any suggestions of other things that could possibly help me. Thank u!

I started taking them for Shingles in September. They worked so well that it wasn't long until I was cutting them in half and putting them on my back. No, pain at all and I have had 7 back surgeries and a Stimulator. They did cost me $120, but can you put a limit on pain medicine? I had insurance but I go into the donut hole every year about August.

They work great folks, if your looking for pain relief and can afford them.
Fancylady

Get a new doctor! If you have documented back pain which is not controlled otherwise, your doctor should prescribe adequate pain medication, narcotics included. Some physicians have no concept of pain management. Find a spine specialist or a pain management specialist if your own doctor will not listen to reason. Some MD are so frightened by news reports of drug addiction and others have this information drummed into them by their med school instructors. AGain. get another doctor!

Hi all- new in town here!
I have these patches now thanks to finally being seen by a PM team. I originally had a Barrett's Procedure (MCL reconstruction in a complex way) on my left knee in Feb 2010. As it took quite a while to get to the bottom of my knee condition (1 year in total and 18 months after the original accident and me procrastinating on it) i was standing incorrectly to ease the pressure.
Long story short it has caused some nerve damage in the lower left lumbar region. I have a wonderful PM consultant now who has give me 'nerve' meds to try and he's actually give me the patches for the hypersensitivity left behind by my op. I have a random patch of numbness that has a fault line over the shin bone. It's like electricity to run your finger over it. As a performer i was struggling with little things like trying to do quick changes as fabric brushing over it would make me jump.
I have only been on a week and i feel like they are helping some to dull the 'the fault line'. The hope is that after a few months it will deaden it.

My question is- do they only come in a 5% strength and if so can i put two full patches on to cover a larger area? I also see some of you are using them for pain relief on your spine- if i have one on my leg, can i have one on my spine also for when the pills aren't enough?
Thank you all in advance!

Huge fan of the patches. I have seen docs order the gel in a tube for those whose insurance will not pay.