Topical Pain Medications: Which Ones Do the Job?

Dearest Dr.

I had no relief from the flector patch. A woman I met randomly who was on a Duragesic patch gave me some of her lidocain patches (because of course she couldn't feel ANYTHING) and they did help some.

The problem in getting the lidocain is my insurance will not cover them. No one is doing anything for me since I was discharged by my Dr of ten years for "Not seeing eye to eye on my pain management therapy" (he insisted I take Opana er 80mg am and pm) I was way over medicated. Now I'm way UNDER medicated. and ready to give up.

I have used the lidoderm patch for approximately 3 years now and I give them a big thumbs up. I have herniated discs in my lower back as well as DDD. I have had several series of steroid injections beginning in 2000 to ease the pain. Just prior to my last series in the fall of 2005, I was evaluated by a different anesthesiologist at the pain clinic. He suggested I try the lidoderm patch in addition to my other treatments because he noted some impingement of the sciatic nerve on my MRI. It was like a miracle! Within minutes of applying the first patch I noticed a huge difference. I now use half the amount of pain medications, I haven't needed steroid injections since that series in 2005, and I am able to continue to work full time as a nurse. All this with a topical patch that I wear for 12 hours of the day.

  I was given Flector patches for post knee surgery.  I was told it was safe and had no adverse reactions.  I gained thirty pounds and my feet are so swollen I can barely walk.  Also I started having PVC's  and the Dr. couldn't and didn't want to find out why I couldn't take Lanoxin.  I have had no problems since I quit using Flector with my heart.   But I am still swollen with 3t edema and can't lose the extra weight.  I am really upset with the use of the Flector patch.  It did help the pain but I could have gone without the side effects, since I have to be on my feet all day.