Is there an ideal lidocaine patch out there?
I have pain and muscular dysfunction due to a shoulder injury that has affected my neck, in which I have a pinched nerve, and radiates down in between my scapula. Being that is a very dynamic area of movement, most lidocaine patches do not stick sufficiently to substantially relieve pain. It doesn't matter what I do, many that I've tried don't stay on or work. As far as these thin, flexible patches go, I've tried these patches and a similar product called Re-Lieved. The Re-Lieved patches work best, but the adhesive irritates my skin. I wear them during the day and have to use prescription steroid cream overnight. I always wash the area I'm applying the patch to and dry the area very well before applying the patch. These patches stick very well, maybe too well, because I have a irritated spot on my neck from wearing one today and even getting in the shower did not make them easier to remove. It was like ripping a giant band-aid off and a ton of adhesive remained stuck to my skin. I feel that I got some benefit out of the patch today, but not much more above lidocaine cream which needs to be reapplied. They do not work as well as Re-Lieved, but I did not have a reaction to the adhesive even though it was stuck to my skin. The patches are thin, light, stretchy, easy to apply, and comfortable. However, I don't think these work any better than the plain Salonpas menthol-type patches. Those smell terrible, but they stick and work. These might work for you if you don't have to worry about getting the adhesive off the middle of your back.
Rating: 3 stars