"i have several pain related medical issues including fibromyalgia, arthiritis in various joints and spine, and ankylosing spondylitis.  i experience severe lower back pain when laying down or with physical activity that involves standing for even short periods of time or bending over. etc.  i am treated with two types of opiods for pain.  however, despite using these strong medications my back, hip, and pelvic pain exceeds the threshold of my opiod treatment schedule.  as a result, i generally use the lidoderm patches on my back/pelvic and hips.  all i can say is they are fabulous .   i&#039;ve used these for several years now.  i can put on the patch(es) for 12 hours of any 24 period.  i can use between 1-3 patches as needed."