Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Any Experiance With Lidocane Patches

Thanks James,

Well I do have muscle spasms up and down my spine, the other biggie is the SI joints. Do you think they would help with that? If my SI is hurting due to inflammation then they probly wouldn't.

I might get some and try some and if they dont work then at least I will know that I tried.

Take Care,

Lisa

Hi Lisa,

I'm not sure about the SI joints. I never tried them over the SI joints myself actually. I've only had minor SI pains (unless my nsaids were already taking care of the SI's). It seems to help me in places like my shoulder to neck muscles (upper traps?), the muscles in the mid back below the ribs, and the muscles around the kidneys. I have tried them directly over my spine to help with my back's painful joints, but it doesn't seem to help that much, but it has helped with some of my zinging zapping nerve pains coming out of my back though. It does help loosen (relax) me up if I leave them on over time too. When my Rheumy prescribed them to me, even he said 'these may or may not help you', but I tried them anyways because I figured it would be nice to have something other than pills for a change (plus I was desperate).

So... I think it would probably help with your muscles up and down your spine, more than I think it would help with your inflamed SI's, because I don't see them helping me with actual AS joint pain.


Take Care,
James.

I have used the lidoderm patches for several years and find they help with SI joint pain tremendously. When the morphine and other meds aren't enough, I put a patch on each buttock cheek and within about 1 hour, I can feel a significant reduction in pain.

WOW!!!

That is a huge difference of opinion from the others...

I think it might be worth a try, I mean it cant hurt anything all it could do is help or not work.

Thanks for your opinion on the matter.

Take Care,

Lisa

Fentanyl Patches is a patch that releases the actual narcotic "Fentanyl" through the skin and into the bloodstream. Lidoderm patches, aka: Lidocaine patches, only numbs the outside of the skin. They do not penetrate and get into the bloodstream. They are two completely different patches and medications. Since Fentanyl is a narcotic, you can overdose on it if using more than one patch at a time, unless otherwise prescribed. With Lidocaine patches....you can slap them all over your skin and not overdose! LOLOL. Seriously though? They're very, very expensive and will not help with deep-rooted pain as in AS. Hope this info helps you. Take care.

Joyce,
I'm with Lisa. Can you tell us more about the compounded cream you use?

Hey Lisa,

I have Lidoderm patches I use every once in a while when my hips are giving me a fit. They are about the size of a small envelope. I get the best results with them on my hips but have used them on my lumbar and thoracic spine and ribs as well. I find the best results are in areas where the pain is not deep in places like the hips and ribs. They mostly just cut the edge off the pain by numbing the area where you place them. Similar to when the numbness is wearing down after a trip to the dentist, but not as noticable. My doctor told me they would only be effective in areas where the pain was close to the skin and not for deep pain.

Brent

thanks shadowmom,

I was reading your post and Brents and feel like my pain is probly deeper so not sure but like everyone has said if they are more topical it might be worth a try.

Yes you have to be SO careful with the fentanyl since it is a narcotic a schedule 2 drug, I have read many reports of people dying from them.

My cousins mother in law was dying from cancer now this was probly 15 years ago but she was on 100mg fentanyl patches in her dying days for the pain.

I am on 50mg fentanyl patches 1 ever 72 hours with 20mg oxycodone ER plus ultracets.

My immunologist has offered to give me 75mgs and I was like OMG I cant hardly handle the 50's I would be high as a kite well they make me where you cant sleep, feel like bugs crawling on the top of my head.

I go back to see him I think in about a week so I will ask him.

Thanks,

Lisa

Hi Brent,

thanks for posting,

Like I said in the above post, I think my pain is alot deeper so they may not work but Im thinking about given them a try anyway.

Take Care,

Lisa

Hi Janet and Lisa,
Finally back for a few minutes The cream (which I just picked up a refill) is a compound of 4 things, Lidocaine, steroid, NSAID (which is fairly new or rubbing on) and one more that I have forgotten here in the middle of the night. I will post tomorrow with the 4 names. You only massage in a pea size amount. It is wonderful. I woke up with spasms in my shins and foot cramps so bad I couldn't stand it a little while ago. I put a lidocaine patch on the larger area on my shine and rubbed the cream on my ankle and spasms and I don't have any pain there now. Wish I could fill the bath tub with it and soak. LOL

You can use 3 patches at time for 12 hours on and 12 hours off. You can use the cream 3 times daily.

They both get us through some really rough spots.

I have got to try to sleep some more. Early appt.!

I appreciate you support. Don't think I have told you lately.

Hugs.
Possi