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Lidocaine patches

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Posted 4/3/2009 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
tongue

How-do everyone :-) How's everyone doing?????  Not too bad here, just goofin off as much as possible.  I have a couple of questions.  Has anyone used the patch before??? I had a friend give me part of one to try for my back, yea I know, not suppose to do that, but I'm at my wits end.  Which with me isn't very long (lol).  I have to keep laughin if not I'l cry.  I used it and dang it worked.  It didnt keep the other parts from hurting, I'd have to have a patch the size of my body, LOL, but BOY OHH BOY would that be nice to not have any pain... I really can not remember how that feels.  The only thing is I got mad, and stayed mad most of the rest of the day.  I dont know if that is a side effect or just me.  I'm going to a new doctor on the 20th and I'm not sure if I should ask him about it or not.  If it only helps one spot then I dont think it would be good, I have pains all over.  Guess getting old is for the birds LOL.  I'll be hitting the big 4 and 0 number in May, I'm just not claiming that number.  Lord, I'm sorry I'm just ramblin today.  I have the sillys and it's really showing. 

Ohhh, my second question,  depression meds?? Has anyone been put on them and not been depressed.  The reason I'm asking... I'm goofy and silly.  Naturally.  I dont need anything to make me bust out laughing at friends and family, or just have fun, I've always been that way.  When my back started up its fussin, I broke down infront of my doctor before they send me to get an MRI and she put me on 2 depression meds, I took them, and then pulled myself off of them after about 3 months, just didnt think I needed them.  Then the new doctor (same place, its a teachin school) put me back on one again, I took it for about 2 months because she said it would help with the pain in my back.  I, after thinking about it for a month or so, came to the conclusion that they think its in my head.  I know its not in my head, it took me 1 1/2 to get them to send me for an MRI, and when they did they saw I had a ruptured disc and the doctor that did the surgery said that if I'd moved wrong or was jarred wrong I'd be in a wheel chair right now.  So I know it was NOT in my head.  I've gone back to that doctor and asked why I was still in pain, he's answer was "scar tissue and I really dont know" and then charged me for the visit.  Sorry so in so. 

Well I've bent ya'll eyes enough for one day, I really hope ya'll have a GREAT day and weekend,

Trouble

Posted 4/4/2009 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Trouble,

Yes, I use lidocaine patches. I have been using them every night for just over a month. They are only designed to give you local relief, like what you experienced, as the patch is just providing a continuous topical numbing agent (lidocaine). While in practice, the patch should only numb the skin, but in theory the patches can affect deeper pain by affecting the way that the brain receives & processes the pain signals. My doc explained it as a local "interference" type effect. No one really knows why, but the patches do seem to help a lot of people. For me, any relief that I get from them is minimal, but every little bit counts when you don't really have anything that works, meds or otherwise, so I use them. My biggest problem with them is that the edges don't stick so well after a couple of hours. I have seemed to solve that problem though by cleaning the area before I apply the patch & then taping the edges down with cloth tape. Since you received some benefit from the "sample" you had, I'd definitely be honest with your doc & ask him about getting a prescription for them.

Also, to answer your question about depression, some antidepressants are actually used to treat neurologic pain as well. For example both cymbalta & elavil are commonly prescribed by PM's as a means of pain management. I have been on several antidepressants for pain, rather than depression, including the two I listed above, although I did not receive any benefit from them. Additionally, I do take medication for depression. I am clinically depressed, thanks to my CP, and so I currently take two different antidepressants to try to combat that.

Skeye
Posted 4/4/2009 5:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Trouble,

I did write you a lengthy welcome letter. I read it over and realized I was making
less sense than usual so I deleted it. Pain has struck and it's a long time
till meds.

Right now, I'll just say I think you'll like it here. People are nice and helpful.

Pamela :-)
Posted 4/6/2009 10:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Trouble,

Welcome to the CP group. Lots of good understanding and support from the folks here. Don't ever be afraid to ask a question or vent some feelings. That's what goes on here.

I have been using the lidocaine patches for over a year now. I use them in addition to other meds for severe back pain from over 20 years of back surgeries and one failed back syndrome. As you may know, managing chronic pain requires a multi-faceted approach that is highly individualized for each patient. There is no single silver bullet although I wish there was one. My experience with the patch is positive. I find it especially helpful for muscle spasms and other tenderness that is just below the surface. The lidocaine doesn't penetrate that deeply but it can affect muscles that do have a deeper connection. Just another tool in arsenal against pain. Try experimenting with the placement. You may get more relief from placement in an area not directly over where you perceive the pain to be. For instance, in my case, I use a tee pattern with one pad placed horizontally between my shoulder blades and then one or more additional pads vertically going down the spine from that. But that's just me - you will likely be different. Good luck and take care.
Modelmaker
Posted 4/6/2009 4:06 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you for all the comments.  Sorry I've not been on over the weekend but my puter at the house bit the dust. I've got a virus on it and dont have the extra money to get it fixed.  I'm at work now, and my boss is cool about me goofin off.  I'll talk to the new doctor about it, when he sees my back he's prolly gonna faint.  I've used the heating pad and/or ice sooo much (10-18 hours a day) that my back is scortched.  But, what else can I do??? 

OHHHH... ok, understand a little more about the depression meds now... that makes more since. But they dont help. LOL...I wish they did, anything to get out of this.  I guess what makes it sooo hard to deal with, and I guess ya'll have aready been through this, its not being able to do things.  Wash clothes, dishes, or just clean the house.  I have to do a little then sit for a while cause I hurt so bad I can not stand it.  Hubby is really understanding though, I have to give him credit.  I dont know how he stands me sometimes LOL heck I cant stand myself at times LOL... ohhh welll... Thanks for being so understanding and listening to me rant on.  Nice to have someone else besides family.  Ya'll are the best.

Talk to ya'll soon,

Trouble :-)

Posted 4/7/2009 4:28 AM (GMT 0)

Troublemaker,

    I passed the big 4 0 twenty-five years ago. The alternative to growing old is not acceptable to me.  Even with all the pain I WANT TO LIVE.  I love and am loved and I do not want to give that up.

Ms Kitty

Posted 4/7/2009 3:37 PM (GMT 0)

LOL Ms Kitty my Mom says the same thing.  Hope everyone have a great day and talk more soon, bossman is hollaring so I must go a-wattleing.

Trouble

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