Pain patch help

I have my husband help me, but when not available I use a lidocaine cream or arthritis pain relief gel. It’s a NSAID but used topically it’s safe.

I YouTube everything also I use chatGPT free app to ask questions. This is a question many of us would probably appreciate getting an answer to. I live in a safe large condo community. If all else failed, I'd have different neighbors/friends come to apply them, that way the 'burden' is spread around. Best wishes ❤️

Have you tried DEEP BLUE topical rub by doTerra? The one on i Amazon is a knock-off BTW, only buy through doTerra. I've tried all types of topical pain applications, DEEP BLUE is amazing. A little goes a long way. Not inexpensive but so worth it. I buy two tubes at a time, they are large. The other thing you might consider (always research) are organic hexane free Castor oil wraps. I bought the Queen of Thrones wraps and Castor oil. The wraps are washable and not messy. I don't know where you live, but in Washington state CBD, THC AND Marijuana are legal. I do not care for THC, nor the psychological effect but for sleep I found Fairwinds CBD capsules. They don't affect me psychologically but do relax the muscles around my joints to help me get much needed sleep. Since your pain is lower back (?) for that area I bought a large ice pack with two velcro straps. (I am 5'4" weight 155 lbs (too much) Ice has always helped with my joint and muscle pain. I sustained a trimalleor ankle fracture in 12/21 have had 7 surgeries on that ankle and leg the last was 5/23 a total ankle replacement. On top of that, I am facing a left hip revision come November 14th this year. I'm trying to save my knees! In January this year I stepped on the edge of one of my dog's stuffed toys, fell and fractured 3 ribs, 2 displaced. All of this on my left side!! I was a competitive race walker, tore labrum in both hips, left hip replaced in 2007, metal on metal, it's failing and leaching cobalt/chromium, the right hip was replaced in 2016. So I understand osteoarthritis. I use natural modalities whenever possible, so far I've refused any steroid injections, they cause bone loss and other side effects, plus they stop working. Acupuncture *the practioner must be highly rated, energetic chyropractic, myofacial release, cranialsacral release, Bowen Therapy, reiki, massage, hydrotherapy, infrared sauna, steam baths, Epsom salt soaks, gentle yoga and stretching morning and night plus all of the other pain management techniques I've mentioned keep me moving. Oh!!! KEEP moving, PT, so important. The other thing is maintaining a positive mind-set, I allow myself to FEEL but not dwell on the pain and associated psychological emotions. I've found that what I focus my energy on becomes my reality so I practice being the observer of my thoughts, I look for the 'silverlining' in every situation. BTW, I don't know what pain patches you use, but lidocaine and similar products give me little if any positive results. Sorry for the brainstorming and long response, I just want to share what works for me. And don't be reticent to ask for help, especially from family, usually they want to hel. I'm 76, no family left except my step-daughter. I watched her handle her father's estate and getting all the help he needs put in place. She's my P.O.A. I requested that she accompany me as I go forward with this left hip revision. She lives quite a distance from me, works at home and has a daughter of her own, single mom. I've become a strong advocate for myself but will have to figure post surgery logistics out. I have a small dog as well. Best wishes with help applying the patches, but look into some of the other pain management techniques I've listed, if you choose to. One last thing: meditation is huge, there are various breathing techniques I use that, in conjunction with the myriad modalities I use, greatly enhances pain relief and mitigation.

@bdwmc thank you so much for the time you spent answering my post. I will look into several of these things and as for you since you enjoy meditation, I hope you have found the free app insight timer. Wonderful for all kinds of meditation helps. One of the teachers on it I’ve listed below, lives with constant pain and has many listed helps. You can also find her on YouTube. Thanks again.

You are welcome and thanks for the meditation info. We'll be fine.❤️‍🔥

Do not remove the total patch from its cover. Remove only a small piece of 2 corners. Securely attach those corners then gradually smooth the patch onto back at the same time you release the cover. Like sort of like smoothing wallpaper onto a surface. Make sure the 2 corner and it's area are attached firmly first. Good luck...

@jdshep thanks for the tips. I had the best luck yet this morning, putting it on.