Lidocaine Patches/Gel

[Bod88]

Hello

The following conditions are causing me ongoing pain and it will be a long time until I can be seen on the NHS.

Cervical stenosis and bone spurs leading to nerve root entrapment and disc herniations of lower spine causing pain and neuropathy.

I have read that Lidocaine patches really help but are no longer available on the NHS according to my GP as they are very expensive.

Does anyone have any experience of the following:

Getting a private prescription and if so, how much the patches cost?

Does the private GP just write a prescription which you then hand to your local pharmacy and pay?

Buying 4% lidocaine gel and using it as a topical gel like voltarol? Would this work?

Looking at an infusion. I saw a consultant privately and he recommended a steroid injection but I have several areas that would need injecting so not really an option unless my lottery numbers come up tonight!

Apologies for all the questions but the amitriptyline only takes the edge off things and I can't take NSAIDs to help the inflammation.

B

[niretro]

hi, can’t offer advice on how to get lidocaine patches privately - but the reason why they are no longer available on NHS is *not* because they are ‘very expensive’, but because of a 2017 study which concluded they are no more effective than a placebo for treating pain. The results from this study were incorporated into NICE guidelines. I believe the only exception may be lidocaine patches for the treatment of Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN). I have PHN but my GP still wouldn’t continue my prescription of lidocaine patches (I don’t think she read the NICE guidelines properly).

So it might help you, going forwards, knowing the real reason why lidocaine patches are no longer recommended by NICE. I remember when my prescription was stopped by my GP, I considered getting a private prescription - but I never followed up on it.

Some NHS pain clinics currently still offer lidocaine infusions, but my understanding is that these will be discontinued/phased out as an option because of the same NICE guidelines.

[Bod88 in reply to niretro]

Thanks for info on NICE guidelines niretro. Shame if the patches do not work as I thought I had come across something to relieve my pain. It seems NICE are dismissing quite a few pain relief options.

[niretro in reply to Bod88]

Yes, I think it was wrong for NHS to dismiss the lidocaine pain patches, as for me they work! I think it should not be an outright dismissal as they *will work* for some people and not work for others (like most meds!). It would make more sense for each case to be evaluated individually rather than be decided upfront on a past study - which won’t be accurate for or reflective of everyone.

*NHS is still meant to prescribe lidocaine patches for PHN though.

[110201]

Hi there, sorry you’re in so much pain! You’re correct in saying the NHS are clamping down on prescribing the patches. My friend had her coccyx removed due to cancer and cannot take anti inflammatories due to a heart condition. Her gp also wanted to stop her patches but after an appointment have continued to prescribe them. Prescription strength are 5% but there are patches on the market available without prescription of 4%. These patches are effective and long lasting dependant on type of pain. I’ve just had a spinal fusion and both pre & post op have found them ok ish. After being prescribed everything upto and including ketamine I’ve found ice packs to be the most effective for pain full stop!! Anyhow if you look up Aspercreme they market patches and creams at 4% here in the UK, you may just have to search for somewhere with stock though. Best of luck and I hope your NHS appointment comes around soon! 😊

Script strength

[Bod88 in reply to 110201]

110201 Many thanks for taking the time to reply to me with this information which has been very helpful. I think I will try and find a stockist and try the 4% patches. I have nothing to lose. I hope you are suitably recovered from your spinal fusion. Thanks again. B

[110201]

This brand also do creams.

Non script

[110201]

different brand but still 4%

Another 4% non script brand.

[Haz999]

I also have a trapped nerve, had guided cortisone injections and nerve denervation, neither of which worked unfortunately. I asked my GP for lidocaine patches which she did prescribe in 2021 but they didn't make any difference either. Have you tried a TENS machine, they aren't very expensive and it does help me a little, it distracts you from the pain.

[Eian59]

I get lidocaine patches from the NHS and cost should never be mentioned to you. I live in Scotland so I don’t see why they are saying that. Get another Gp.