Are Lidocaine patches effective in treating lower back pain caused from bulging disc and arthritis?

Hi Gordy, bear with me. I am new to this so here goes. I'll try to give you my best answer. First, so sorry to hear that you are having these back pains. I have them too along with other back issues also and I know how debilitating they can be! I personally have not found that the lidocaine patches help. But, with that said, and reading the other answers, I may have not left them on long enough to notice a difference. It has been a long time ago since I tried them. I will tell you that I have had the injections for my bulging disc pain and I have had extreme relief from them. They were non invasive and I got immediate relief. I've had three in about the last four years. You may not be wanting to go that route or maybe you have already tried it. Sorry if my answer didn't give you what you were looking for. I would give the patches a go, if it's an option for you with insurance and cost. I don't remember what the cost was. Good luck Gordy!!

Yes. I've found Lidoderm will dull any kind of pain. If the pain is really severe I often take Tylenol to help while the Lidoderm kicks in. It can take 1 or 2 hours to work but I've also had it work fast. For pain in the rear, like you have, in addition to putting a patch where the pain is I also find it helpful to put a 1 to 2 inch strip of Lidoderm along the spine. My Doc doesn't think this should work, but I say it does. So try this also. I think Lidoderm is the greatest thing since Tylenol was invented, and the best part is it doesn't go through your whole system.

Remember, no more than 3 patches at 1 time, and you have to remove them after 12 hours and wait another 12 hours to put more on. You can also cut them up into any shape or size needed to fit the area of pain.

I use lidocaine ointment for my lower back and other pains and it does help most of the time.