Lidoderm

[ICNJess]

Has anyone tried the lidoderm patches? It's the Lidocaine patch 5%, I can wear up to 3 patches a day around my bladder on my abdomen. I have never heard of this but today at my pain management appt. they upped my Neurontin and gave me the patches. Thanks!

Jess grouphug

[momw/ic]

I used them a year ago after I had abdominal surgery and my never endings were very sentive. I have never heard of using them for IC. I have a bunch left over so I might give it a try. They worked great for the nerve pain and I was on neurontin at the same time!

[ICNJess]

Thanks Pam. I hope they work!!! :)

[Katherine]

I have them also I love them .
They gave me them after I had the interstim put in.
They are fairly expensive thow if you do not have good insurances.
Take care Katherine

[tigger_gal]

Hi Jess,
thats great to hear. I really hope that they do.. hugs
brat

[momw/ic]

I'm curious if the patches are helping you and if so where are you wearing them? I pulled mine out and have been using them just to see if I can tell a difference. Keep in touch!

[tigger_gal]

i want some patches :)
have to ask my doc.
brat

[ICNJess]

I put the patches on my abdomen, and I can tell a difference, because when I took them off, the pain was worse. Over my bladder and to the sides, I can ues 3 a day. I have pain all over my abdomen.

[YankeeCandle224]

I use them ALL THE TIME. Mostly on my back from the degenerative disc disease. My insurance covers a months worth but it still costs me over 50 dollars and with all the other meds I take I just cant do that, so I get them free from my GP, and from my pain doc. I also have an application in to get a free two months supply, but this process is slower then the stupid gov't with SSDI!

Anyway, they're GREAT, WONDERFUL, and there are days I couldnt function at all without them, either on my bladder, my back, my left hip, etc!

Glad you brought this up.

If you write endo pharmacuticals by doing a google search you will find their web site and how to apply for them for free!

Hugs, Sandy

[rachelm]

These sound wonderful! I will ask my dr. about getting some tomorrow. I use the lidicaine 2% Jelly for self-caths and when I have urethral burning near the external opening. It helps me for that so I think the patches may be a good option for my bladder burning as well. Has anyone tried them on their hips? I have tremendous hip pain during flares.

[YankeeCandle224]

Rachelm,

I use them ALL the time on my left hip. I have degenerative disc disease and it radiates to my left hip when I do things like attempt to clean or do laundry. they are great and after about 10 minutes of having a patch on, the pain has eased up and eventually even goes away.

You are supposed to wear not more than 3 patches at a time, and for only 12 hours, so 12 hours on, 12 hours off.

They are SO great except the expense. Ask for samples if you cant afford the copay at the pharmacy. for me, a month's supply is 50 dollars.........to much for me, so I have 2 docs that give me samples and keep me pretty much in stock.

Good luck, Sandy