Topical gel helped me with chronic spine pain

Hi @donfeld, I modified the title of your discussion and added it to the Spine Health group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/spine-health/) as well as the Chronic Pain group so that more people see it. I'd also like to invite @lynn12 @marychapman @irene5 @ceceilia and @pines to join the conversation.

Getting a full night's sleep is so important for health and for managing pain. Indeed it is often the pain that prevents one from getting a solid sleep. What a relief it must be to have found this relatively simple solution. You obviously must have someone to help put the gel on your spine. How often to you apply it? Do you continue with physical therapy or other therapy for your back?

I personally but on hip area as well as from S1 to L3 along cervical joints twice a day for now. No need for help and says on instruction 4 times a day. Hope it helps and get some sleep. Also take CBD.

I don’t know if you travel but it is sold over the counter in many countries and MUCH more cheaply than in America as a prescription! Right down to the appearance of tube it is in. I have had some from Mexico, Caribbean and when I was in Italy I found some 2% strength. Pharmacy here with my insurance wanted sl over $40 per tube. I’ve paid $10-12 in other countries. My friend from Seattle stocks up if they are skiing in Canada.

Yes, @donfeld you are correct. It does work very well for spine and hip pain. It is also inexpensive with Medicare insurance. Lidocaine patches 5% are excellent, but insurance usually will no longer cover them. Irene5

Lidocaine did not work for me, but this did to my surprise. It worked the first night and it evens seems to getting better.

Thank you for this information. I will ask my doctor for a prescription. I am so happy when I hear that someone has found an easy safe answer to help with their chronic pain. I am still searching. Hopefully this will help.

@donfeld Thank you for your success story! So happy you are finding relief from a topical. I'm curious if it helps nerve pain as well as joint pain? Has anyone out there with progressive neuropathy found success using it? I also have minor spinal issues (bulging and herniated discs) in neck and lower lumbar with pain wrapping around hip. Is it made at a compounding pharmacy?
Rachel

@rwinney The gel is a regular Rx drug. There is a similar one that my husband was prescribed for neck pain caused by arthritis when we lived in Tennessee. It was from a compounding pharmacy which was a new term and new information for me. I had never heard of a compounding pharmacy. My husband says the gel one is better for his hip pain. I realize we aren’t supposed to share Rx’s, but when he fell in January and had a compression fracture he tried mine and was very thankful I had that gel! For me the fact that it is inexpensive and also works makes it a win win! irene5

Hello @irene5 . Thank you for your response. Ok, so not over the counter, needs a script from Dr?

Yes.