[JAMY]

I know quite a few people use patches for pain relief - what are you folks using? I need to come up with some ideas to throw at my doc as my pain levels are still high and the short acting pain killers she has given me make me feel like I am on a pain-roller coaster.

Thanx!

[johannakat]

Lidoderm patches are what I use. I like them, you can wear a maximum of 3 patches 12 hours on, 12hours off. My skin get a little irratated if i used them for a few days in a row, but somewhat less often they are great.

ALso- I ahve mentioned on the today I thread that I really like Opana ER, which your doc may not be familiar with since it is new. It is long acting (12hour) oxymorphone. I was on vicodin before it, and 1 10mg Opana is equal to ~4 vicodin over the 12 hours.

[fern]

I like the Lidoderm patches too. They are expensive but my prev Dr said that they can be worn longer as they only lose 5% of the drug after 12 hrs of wear. The 12 hr limit has to do with having the patch on the skin. I place the patch on saran style wrap after I am done wearing it and reapply to clean skin again for up to a week. I use medical tape on the corners of the patch to reapply the next time. You may need to try diff. medical tapes to find one that works w. your skin. shhh--don't tell the pharm co. And yes, you can wear up to 3 at a time in this cost effective manner.

[LinJane]

I have been trying lidorderm patches but have not felt they work. Dr. Togut told me to cut them in half and wear for 23 hours per day. I haven't noticed a difference. Or, maybe it would be worse if I didn't use them. I don't know. I used to use a pain patch 7 years ago that I don't recall the name. But, that was more of a narcotic absorbtion patch instead of injesting I believe. It has been so long. I'm going to stick to the lidorderm and hope that helps. Good luck. Linda

[HopeLivesHere]

Hi Jamy,
My patches are mailed to me from a compounding pharmacy. They don't hurt when you take them off as they are like a huge bandaid. They contain ketamine and lidocaine. I can wear each of them for 24 hours. I noticed a huge difference when I switched over from the Lidoderm patches a couple years ago, but I have a few of those to use also. Also, some people have lido, ketamine and antiinflammatories like ibuprofen & elavil (antidepressant) added to a cream and use that.
Hope


reread

[gibbrn]

Hi J,

We can get lidoderm up here...funny you should ask now I just asked my pharmacist on Thursday!!!!!

I am looking into drug com. and will update you with the info!!
love V

[olecyn]

LIDODERM PATCHES ARE DEFINITELY HELPFUL
Have learned where the mainstream nerve to place them for maximum relief.
I wanted to use a box full everywhere
Just had to find the right nerve channel that would help ALL my areas of pain.

[johannakat]

Yes, I really need one big enough to cover my whole back

[fern]

[QUOTE Just had to find the right nerve channel that would help ALL my areas of pain.[/QUOTE]

Olecyn-can you describe the placement that works for you?

[JAMY]

Thanx...I have had problems with local freezing in the past (esp at the dentist) but have 'challenge tested' O.K. to lidocaine which I understand is the main ingredient in the patches...so there should be NO reason that she shouldn't at least consider perscribing them...I need to get more relief...