"i&#039;ve been on narcotic pain meds for over 20 years for severe degenerative joint disease in my back and several other joints. my doctor gave me lidocaine 5% patches to try about a month ago. i seriously doubted they would help, as any other topical creams have never helped much, but i was pleasantly surprised. they work so well that i have decreased my opiate dosage by half and am able to be more active than i have been in years. i don&#039;t think that they will work that well for everyone, but i do recommend everyone try them if they can, it has been a godsend for me."