Lidoderm patches

[anita]

My neuro/rheumy (he's both) visit today for follow up of SjS & PN was okay and we're trying lidoderm patches on my feet for the neuropathy.  Have no idea if it will work but worth a try he says.   However, he contacting my cardiologist to okay it first with my whopper list of cardiac meds/problems.

Has anyone tried lidoderm patches for PN pain before?  Have you had any side-effects from these?  Did it help?

[Nancy60]

I used them for Radiculopathy and back pain before my surgery.  They helped numb the pain and were easy to use.  they only thing is you can only use them 12 out of 24 hours, then have to take them off and go without for 12 hours.  I wore them during the day and went without them at night.  I also cut them to be able to use on more than 1 area.  I hope it gives you some relief.

Nancy

[mews]

Yes Anita I have been using them for a long while now, some times they work great and some times nothing at all, and when they do work it lasts even after the patch comes off. They are defiantly worth a try, and they never made me feel medicated like I took drugs. Hope this helps!

Stay Well Mary

[anita]

Nancy,

Although nerve pain can be felt in extremities (or anywhere), the source of the neuropathy and nerve damage can originate elsewhere.  Mine is believed to be in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of the lower spine (where they found enlargement of this DRG and increased signal on a special MRI).  I asked him, "why not put the patch on the back at the source" and he said that it's too deep and protected by the spine and it won't reach to help.  So we're hoping the patch on the bottoms of the feet itself helps a little...we'll see. 

But based on what he said, is your back pain on the surface (as for why it helped)?  Do you get any other nerve pain in other locations (sense you mentioned using them in more then one area)?

Did you have any side-effects like blisters, or burning from the patches?

Mews,

Thanks for the input.  Where do you use them?  Any neuropathy in your feet?

[eyeamdry]

My rheumy uses these patches for her very bad bunions.  I had surgery on my big toe last year and it fixed it about halfway.  I had arthritis in my big toe joint (not bunion) and my rheumy had me using those for my big toe, but I never felt any relief from them.  I wanted to try on other joints, but I had a script and they were so expensive, I didn't even go there.   If my rheumy uses them.....I have to believe they can help some people.  Lucy

[mews]

I use them for Sciatica back pain and when the muscle pain starts to get out of control. I have never used them for the nerve pain in my legs, I just always thought that it wouldn't work for that. They are very expensive to buy. Hope this helps.

Mary

[anita]

Mews,

Does insurance not cover them?     A couple of you mentioned the cost...am I going to have a new pain (in the wallet) to deal with...LOL?

[mews]

They are just expensive all the way around, my copay with my old insurance was $50. Not sure what it is with my new ins. I have a feeling it's about the same, and with all the meds I'm on I would rather have some other pain med...LOL.

Stay sweet
Mary

[Nancy60]

Anita,

I mainly used them for back pain, but also had tingling in my foot and lower leg that I used them for.  The tingling didn't go away completely, but it did lessen it to a tolerable level.  I had a cyst on my spine that was compressing and adhered to the nerve roots and dura, encroaching into the spinal canal and foramina, so had a combination of radicular pain, weakness, and sensory changes. 

They are expensive which was part of the reason I cut them to use on my back and leg/foot.  You can only use 1 pad due to the amount of medication it delivers, but can divide it up between areas by cutting it.

I think I paid about 50 dollars for a box of 30, if I went through mail order I would pay 100 dollars for 90 (3 month supply).

I hope they work for you.