Lidocaine patches?

I use the Lidoderm patches on my back for my back pain, but never tried it for my peripheral extremities. I don't think they were made for that, but I could be wrong. Check with your doctor.  Of course, for your cervical pain, they are certainly indicated.

As for Narcotic pain relievers, if you are still at a 6 with alieve, then you might consider them. After all, you are looking for a better quality of life, but that is ultimately determined by you.

I wish you luck. God bless.

Lindaloo

My dr gave me the Lidocaine patches. He told me to cut them up into smaller patches and place them on the spots that hurt the worst. I get really bad shoulder and rib pains. When my ribcage is really flaring, I will cut the patch into 1/2 and place it on each side of my body to east the pains.

I take tramadol when my pain is out of control...........it leaves me with a hung over feeling. The last time I took it last weekend, I ended up feeling worse from the hang over than during the intense pain. (I react to so many of the medicines, I try and suffer through. My husband takes so many pain meds, I feel like one of us needs to be able to drive in case some emergency comes up in the family.)

Sherrine, I can't use a band aid either! Something so simple can cause me to lose a couple of layers of skin in no time. If feel like it eats the layers off and even the non-latex ones burn me. I have resorted to those wrap bandages that stick to themselves without adhesives. (I thought that I was the only one that reacted to band aids.)

A coworker gave me some lidoderm patches she had left over from surgery. I loved them. I got more relief from the patch then pain killers but unfortunately I don't have prescription coverage and can't afford to buy them on my own. I also tried tramadol for awhile last year and hated it. The best way to describe how they made me feel was a combination of morning sickness and the worlds worst hangover, but I know a lot of people got relief from it without the side effects.

I love my Lidoderm patches.  You can use up to 3 for one 12 hour period. And they can be cut smaller.  But depending on where you put them, they don't stick well.  I use them on my knees, and always have to use extra tape.  You can also go to their website and print a coupon for $30 off the script.

They are going off patent in Nov, should be lots cheaper then