Jean -

Back off means taper off. For instance, if you're on 10 mg a day, your doc
would have you take 9 mg for a week, then 8 mg for a week, etc., until you
didn't take it anymore. I wouldn't be afraid of it at all. Weight gain is
not mandatory. The prednisone just makes you very hungry. I find drinking
lots of water keeps me feeling full so I don't eat so much. (Of course, I do
run to the bathroom a lot. :-P)

As for the patches, they're one size fits all. It is about 3.5 by 5.5
(larger than a 3X5 index card, but smaller than a 4X6 card). You can use up
to three at a time, 12 hours on, 12 hours off. They are Lidocaine (or
Lidoderm), depending on brand name or generic. I swear by them because I can
put one on my shoulder and one on my spine and still have one more for
wherever it's needed most that day. For me they really work well and I love
my RD for prescribing them!

Hope that helps,
DeeTee

JEAN,

I notice that the pain patch replies so far are referring to the
Lidorerm-Lidocane patch.  I have RA, osteopenia, spinal stenosis
and other RA related problems. My RD just refilled my Lidoderm
patches as he is a firm believer that pain reduction is essential
for quality of life.

There is another pain patch which has not been discussed yet and
that is the narcotic pain patch --- the Fentanyl patch which I also
use in conjunction with the Lidoderm patch.  The Fentanyl patch is
small and a very thin plastic coated with the pain medication. The
very narrow outer edge of the patch has an adhesive that adheres to your
skin somewhat like adhesive tape. I wear mine for three days (72 hours
limit) and then change out for a new one. These patches are in
increments of 25. I started at 25MGH and am now at 50MGH. Some RDs
shorten the days to 2 days (24 hours) between changes when the patient
wants better pain control. Others increase the strength of the patch.

Because of a current spine problem which is a herniated disc my RD has
also allowed me to use my oxycodone 40MG ER tabs every 12 hours and
my 5 mg oxycodone to handle break through pain every 4 to 6 hours as
well. These can cause dizziness, nausea, sleepiness and constipation.
It also requires a good sense of when and how to use them

There are also heat patches and cold patches to help handle pain.

I sometimes use my gel pacs which can be heated in the microwave or
frozen in the freezer (which ever works for you) can also be used.
Cold does more for pain for me.

I have an appointment with a neurosurgeon to address the herniated disc
problem.

Don Whitely