Pain relief patches

[Gemini]

Has anyone experienced these?

The prescription type, not the over the counter ones

My OH has had hip and groin pain for quite a while, which can even affect her golf. She is definitely limping now ( as am I half the time,we look a right pair!)
Her oncologist doesn't think it is connected to the cancer, more likely arthritis/wear and tear
They recommended she use ibuprofen regularly for two weeks and this worked really well.

However they don't like anyone to use that regularly so once she stopped that regime the pain and stiffness was back

Her GP had prescribed pain patches. Four patches, each to be worn for a week, removed then another placed in a different position. She has only had them less than a week but hasn't noticed any effect so far.
They said it takes a while, and that the dose can be increased, so we will see.

[Daisy]

Gem, I've heard of them, but don't know anybody who has used them. I think if the GP says it takes a while for them to work, then hopefully in, say, another week your OH should start to see the benefit.

I find that Ibuprofen gel ( such as Volterol) is quite effective in the short term on areas where there is little flesh (eg knees). I believe it's not so effective on more fleshy areas though.

[Lizzie48]

Gem, are they the morphine patches? If so, I used to help my neighbour when he had them.

[Gemini]

Lizzie I think morphine is one of the ingredients yes.

[Gemini]

I have just checked, it's buprenophine.
Maybe ibuprofen and morphine?

[Lizzie48]

That could be, my neighbour was terminally ill and I would go and change the plasters, one day a visitor asked if I was a nurse? No, just helping!

[Oma]

MIL had them when she had her hip replacement,
Didn't have any side effects apart from red marks where the patches were ,
We had to keep moving them so they didn't cause a problem.

I get the same hip and groin pain ,I was told arthritis,
I can't take ibuprofen I get stomach cramps so I can only take paracetamol with caffeine and I have a gel to rub on ,
Although as Daisy said I don't think it works on fleshy areas.

[Clover]

I saw a Consultant recently and when he saw my x-ray he said straight away he’d put me on the list for hip replacement! The pain can be very bad and I limp a lot.

To add to my woes at the moment out of the blue I’ve got Shingles. Got anti- viral medication so hopefully it’ll clear up soon. It’s making me very lethargic with no energy

What a lot we are with all these aches and pains and I really hope some of the symptoms can be eased in whatever way they can be for everyone.

[Gemini]

Oh dear Clover, you don't need shingles on top of hip pain

[Daisy]

Clover, I'm so sorry to hear about your hip, and getting Shingles as well is such bad luck. I hope the anti-virals work quickly. Did the Consultant give you any idea about time scale for your hip operation?

It's not always easy, but I hope you're taking it gently when you feel tired. Sending hugs. xx

[Clover]

Thanks ladies.
Daisy I did ask about waiting time but impossible to predict and so expensive to go down the private route!

[Oma]

Clover,
Shingles are horrible and painful,
Hip replacements I think are a post code lottery,
Some areas are fairly quick , others you wait a long time.
I hope you don't have to wait too long .

[Nanto2girls]

Clover, sorry to hear you have shingles as well as hip pain. Hope you feel better soon.

I don't know anyone who has used pain relief patches.

[Lizzie48]

Clover, I hope that you are soon rid of the shingles, have you had the vaccination?

I have no idea what the wait is here for a hip replacement, I will have a look, I hope that you soon get yours done.xx. I have just had a quick look, it varies from a few days to a few weeks, depend on the area I think.

[Daisy]

Thanks ladies.
Daisy I did ask about waiting time but impossible to predict and so expensive to go down the private route!

Clover, it would be good to have some idea of waiting times, but if they can't say it just leaves you wondering. I've just Googled waiting times for our area and it's 18 weeks. The NHS Constitution says patients have a right to receive elective surgery, like your, within 18 weeks, but I don't know if it's the same in Wales. I know my sister-in-law in North Wales has been waiting ages, but that's because of other medical issues which keeps putting her surgery back. I hope the Shingles are clearing up. Are you able to sleep ok? Sending hugs. xx

Gem, sorry I've hijacked your pain patches thread. I didn't intend to! xx