Lidocaine Patch Effectiveness for Neuropathic Pain

[naturelover1010]

Hi,

My Pain Consultant has asked my GP to prescribe Lidocaine Patches for me to try, to help with my left pelvis Neuropathic Pain.

I am sceptical as my pain is deep in my left pelvis and I see this patch as a numbing plaster than a treatment for Neuropathic Pain.

Has anyone had any experience of using this Lidocaine Patch? How effective have you found it?

What is the name of the most effective treatment for Neuropathic Pain that you have come across? Out of a 1 to 10 pain scale, how many points did it reduce your pain by? Also, how long did the pain reduction last for?

Many thanks,

B

[Calceolaria]

I find lidocaine one of the things I use regularly to help manage pain. I tend to alternate with other things, like TENS unit, Biofreeze spray etc. The skin does play a part in conducting pain, my pain consultant explained, something to do with nerve endings. I do find lidocaine effective, it varies as to how much, but up to about 8 sometimes. For skin applications for pain relief, Capsaicin ointment was the best hands down but it irritated my skin too much, despite applying E45 first.

[naturelover1010 in reply to Calceolaria]

Hi,

Thank you for responding and explaining the role skin has to play.

I'm surprised that the lidocaine patch can, at time, reduce pain by as much as 8!

I haven't tried Capsicum or Biofreeze as I thought they would be of no use. I will give it a go now though!

Many thanks,

B

[carneed in reply to naturelover1010]

Hi, yes I tried it a few weeks ago but it did absolutely nothing for my back pain, so hope you are luckier!

[Hidden]

I have small fibre neuropathy in 75% of my body and have used lidocaine patches for 2.5 years and swear by them. 3 can be applied per day for max of 12 hrs and can be cut into smaller pieces. I use them on my knee thigh buttock elbows and wrists and they really tone down the pain in my skin and bones. Humid weather and menopause sweats do however reduce the stickiness on the patches and you will require to stick more on when if drop off. They also roll off onto clothes very easily and body moisturisers and moisturised shower gels reduce stickness. I use pregabalin (3yrs now) which used to give about 50-60% nerve pain control. pain consultant said that over time that effectiveness can reduce down and that is happening to me now. I tried other anti-convulsants for nerve pain (tegretol Lamotrigine) but they caused confusion. Pregabalin has not produced any side effects. I have tried codeine tramadal tapentadol buprenorphine dihydrocodeine but I developed an urticarial rash to all of them and sadly it is permanent. I cannot take amitriptyline or anti-depressants but all of these things seem to be used quite successfully for neuropathic pain by other people. I just seem to be unlucky. Do try the patches. They are non invasive and have no side effects.