These patches were made for shingles pain, my pain management doc turned me on to them for S1 related foot pain & calf cramping. I've been using them for minor to severe muscle cramps, they helped me! When my scar-tissue bothers me in the L5-S1 I put half a patch on, numbs it right out. Your Doc will have to write a script for them, they cost $120. a box of 30, my co-payment was 10 bucks.
Just wanted to pass this on, I've been a spinie for 10 years now an been visiting BT1 since 1997, great info that doc's don't want you to know...

Does anybody know what there made from-he-hee? Ric

All I know is that they're colder than hell when applied, so warming them up somewhere (like sitting on the unopened package for 5 minutes), works really well.

I was prescribed the Lidoderm patches originally for the bone harvesting site, but have used them for my continued low back pain under many circumstances with some relief. There's a ton of them per box & I got 4 boxes, so the supply is almost endless.

You are just the person I need to speak with. Can you please get a hold of me. **
Thanks

Hi Woody
I use these patches for my Meralgia Paresthetica in my upper leg area. It was first given to my by a Neurologist (sp?) several yrs ago. It gave me a lot of relief from the pain, burning, cramping muscles and most of all the sensitivity to touch that I have with MP. I cannot stand the rubing of clothing or bedsheets against my left thigh and above the knee. The patch helps so much.

We were also sent a message by a person stating you can become immune to them and they suggested moving the patch around to different areas to avoid this happening. They also included a picture showing where they placed the patch for MP it was over the location of the nerve.

I also know of another person who used the patch on their back at night time to cope with the pain level of their spine. You are suppose to wear them for no longer than 12 hrs. a day.

I cut mine in 2 pieces and place them at different locations.

They are expensive it you do not have prescription coverage.

Lookingup58!!!

Hi Woody.

I've been using the Lidoderm patches for several years as needed. My rheumatologist suggested them to me.

Can use up to three at night. I cut each one in half and use them on the top of my feet, knees, cervical spine area and shoulders.

Only complaint... sometimes lose their ability to adhere to my skin so I use some surgical tape.

Have a low/no pain day! Carly

PS For new users...cutting these will make your scissors sticky (need to be cleaned after each cutting)...so a separate pair of scissors just for the patches works well.

Glad to hear some respone about the patches, I was taking narcotic's for work related pain but working in a paint dept got me so buzzed-up my PM gave me these. I used them for 2 years steady at work to get my retirement in, now I cut back on them. Had a flare up in the groin lately and started using them again, hurts more to take them off in that area doe-ha! I was told there made from the coca plant, cocaine, they take the coca out to make the patch. That's just what I was told, maybe a Doc would know more, but if you go for a drug test u better tell them your using them. Best

Lidoderms for a while now. We had a big thread on Chronic Pain at OBT
about them. Also at MP forum.

They are a water based adhesive..very different from some other patches.

So people often have trouble with them sticking. If you clean the area
first with alcohol and dry it thoroughly, that may help. Also on very curvey areas of the body,
you can cut them into strips and stick them down (sort of like an accordian), and use tape on them. If you perspire alot where they need to go, that is
a problem.

Placement is important too. At least for my MP placement higher up where the
nerve exits the abdomen, that worked best.

For spinal issues, the area where that nerve root exits the spine is often the
best place. I have also used them behind my knee for knee pain. (on the back of my thigh just before the knee bend).

I use them as well. As MrsD stated, they work best for spinal stuff if they're placed over where the exiting spinal nerve root is. I also use up to 3 at a time, cut in half and placed pretty much running parallel to my spine, though sometimes I also use them for intercostal nerve pain.

They're a handy tool to have around at times, because the spasms I have often don't respond, even to escalating doses of pain meds and antispasmodics.

Theresa

HI, I've been using the patches for right many years (a heart patient told me about them) after too many years of suffering severe itching on both arms which no dermatologist could help until I found one that did superficial radiation; then he passed away. Anyway, I have never heard that one could become immune. They keep working for me, using them on the same areas over and over. I do know that no more than three patches should be used in a 24 hr. period, no more than on for 12 hrs.; then 12 hrs. off. I have used four at the time twice. My doctor told me of a person who used many all over, all the time, and died! So, everyone, follow the instructions, please!

Does anybody know what there made from-he-hee? Ric[/QUOTE]


Hi! I just recently started getting them for really bad back pain - L4 + L5 from a friend as she gets them for practically nothing through Medicaid. I do have insurance, but a high copay. Honestly, they don't help all that much, and if I put 2 or more on, I fall asleep, yet still wake up w/ pain. But some pain relief is better than none - know what i mean?!
Anyways... I was just randomly surfing the net and found you can buy lidocaine (the main ingredient) wholesale from several places. The one I even considered trying was in England for about $155 a kg. The others were about the same price but from China or Cameroon. As some other lady just posted it is not a narcotic, I am assuming this is legal??? However, it comes in powder form, so not sure how to transfer it onto a patch. Can't be that hard though as it gives you the ingredients right on the package. Will do some more surfing and try to find the "recipe". Food for thought anyways....

Hope you feel better soon!

Katt