Home > Topics > Muscular Dystrophy UK – General discussion boards > Hints, tips and tricks

Heat Patches/Pads

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)
  • September 7, 2011 at 11:37 pm #73923
    Heat Patches/Pads

    I thought I’d do a thread about heat patches/pads as I find them extremely helpful in easing muscle aching, spasming and general pain.

    I started out buying the “Deep Heat Patches,” brand name expensive stuff where you only get 4 patches that last 8 hrs and the box of 4 costs like £6. As I felt the benefit of using them aswell as painkilers I end up wearing a patch religiously now so that £6 every 4 days was a definite no-no. I then tried to convert myself to the lavender bean bag type heat pad you stick in the microwave. Not only does it not stay warm for more than 20 minutes but I need to place it under my knee/thigh area where I get my nerve pain whilst in my wheelchair. Very uncomfortable! :| When I was at the GPs one day I asked about getting heat patches on prescription and got told the NHS doesn’t do prescription heat patches because there are those microwavable pieces of rubbish available. Even though my GP agreed how irritating it is re-heating it and how the thickness of it is uncomfortable he could not get me anything similar to what I found worked on prescription. So I started looking around different shops for a different brand of heat patch and came across Cura-Heat. £3 at 3 in a box slightly better deal. Not by much but still! Only downside to these is you cannot apply directly to the skin like the Deep Heat Patches but Cura-Heat Patches DO last upto 12hrs instead of Deep Heats 8hrs. I’ve still got my eyes peeling for a cheaper solution.

    I’d really recommend heat patches if you suffer from muscular pain due to Neuromuscular Disease. You can get patches in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes heat therapy can be better than medication. Or like me a combination does the trick :)

    ambitiousturtle24
    Participant
    Posts: 69
    Joined: 18/03/2011
    September 8, 2011 at 12:25 pm #81994
    Re: Heat Patches/Pads

    I get what you mean about the bean filled bags that you microwave. I have a couple but to be honest they are heavy to lump about, they are awkward to place where you want on the body and they do quickly loose their heat.

    The best I have found yet is the good old electric blanket for the bed. There are also some snuggler, sofa blanket type things as well.

    Once upon a time the shops had pocket warmers, same idea a the microwaveable dooberries but a lot thinner, but I imagine they do not hod heat for long though.

    Happy hunting :o)

    I'm always the animal, my body's the cage

    I blog about nothingness www.amgroves.com

    AM
    Participant
    Posts: 4,751
    Joined: 05/03/2015
    September 8, 2011 at 5:27 pm #81995
    Re: Heat Patches/Pads

    the old electric duvet is top on my list.

    I buy the pound shop heat pads in bulk and they are great. first started using then for period pain. I find the ones you can stick directly onto skin really hard to get.

    I use volterol gel. mostly I buy it but some GPs will sign it off for me :roll: will try the boots one out.

    Cat
    Moderator
    Posts: 1,002
    Joined: 20/09/2010
    September 8, 2011 at 10:13 pm #81996
    Re: Heat Patches/Pads

    Never thought of a leccy blanket. Might have to invest in one ;)

    ambitiousturtle24
    Participant
    Posts: 69
    Joined: 18/03/2011
    September 10, 2011 at 2:03 pm #81997
    Re: Heat Patches/Pads

    I also vote eleccy blanket! Mine is a lifesaver – both on the bed as an overblanket (it’s that super soft fur stuff) or just draped around me sitting up.

    I’ve got the lilac micro bean things which are ok for a short heat but nothing beats the blanket. I wish there was a smaller size rather than trying to drape a single bed size blanket around little old me!

    If I get more pain than ache I go for the ibugel stuff on shoulder/back but I still find all over blankets best :-) Hurrah for eleccy blankets whooooop!

    criptic
    Participant
    Posts: 307
    Joined: 15/03/2011
    September 10, 2011 at 3:47 pm #81998
    Re: Heat Patches/Pads

    I’ve got the lilac micro bean things which are ok for a short heat but nothing beats the blanket. I wish there was a smaller size rather than trying to drape a single bed size blanket around little old me

    I love my Electric Duvet, its like a big warm snuggle cuddle, it has dual controls so I can set each half of the bed at different temps and migrate to the heat needed during the night. :lol: at the mo I am sitting with a mini lecky heat pad/blanket.
    mine is a Imetec body and comfort heat pad 30cm by 40cm I got mine from argos years ago but amazon do a dreamland one.

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/LATEST-DREAMLAND-THERAPY-WARMING-HEATPAD/dp/B001K9XFO8/ref=sr_1_38?ie=UTF8&qid=1315669506&sr=8-38

    cat

    Cat
    Moderator
    Posts: 1,002
    Joined: 20/09/2010
    September 12, 2011 at 4:08 pm #81999
    Re: Heat Patches/Pads

    @catatude wrote:

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/LATEST-DREAMLAND-THERAPY-WARMING-HEATPAD/dp/B001K9XFO8/ref=sr_1_38?ie=UTF8&qid=1315669506&sr=8-38

    cat

    SQUEE – I am so getting that – thanks for posting the details! Ohhhh I feel all snugly just thinking about it :lol:

    criptic
    Participant
    Posts: 307
    Joined: 15/03/2011
    September 14, 2011 at 5:24 pm #82000
    Re: Heat Patches/Pads

    I can see me getting one too!

    Vicki
    Participant
    Posts: 1,015
    Joined: 05/03/2015
    September 20, 2011 at 11:33 pm #82001
    Re: Heat Patches/Pads

    I sense a TalkMD slumber party in the works!! haha :D

    ambitiousturtle24
    Participant
    Posts: 69
    Joined: 18/03/2011
    September 21, 2011 at 12:04 pm #82002
    Re: Heat Patches/Pads

    @ambitiousturtle24 wrote:

    I sense a TalkMD slumber party in the works!! haha :D

    Better go buy some socially acceptable oj’s :oops: :mrgreen:

    I'm always the animal, my body's the cage

    I blog about nothingness www.amgroves.com

    AM
    Participant
    Posts: 4,751
    Joined: 05/03/2015
    September 22, 2011 at 12:05 pm #82003
    Re: Heat Patches/Pads

    mmm, cant decide… kitty cat pjs or sponge bob… :lol:

    getting back to the heat patches… how do you get the sticky little b****rs off. Had a stick direct to skin one on my lower back since yesterday morning and I cant get the blinking thing off. :oops:

    Cat
    Moderator
    Posts: 1,002
    Joined: 20/09/2010
    September 22, 2011 at 1:09 pm #82004
    Re: Heat Patches/Pads

    @catatude wrote:

    getting back to the heat patches… how do you get the sticky little b****rs off. Had a stick direct to skin one on my lower back since yesterday morning and I cant get the blinking thing off. :oops:

    Know what you mean … ask the Postman? Do they disintegrate if you take a bath? This might loosen the glue and you might be able to wriggle about to ease it off, but not if it falls apart like a tissue i the washing machine.

    I'm always the animal, my body's the cage

    I blog about nothingness www.amgroves.com

    AM
    Participant
    Posts: 4,751
    Joined: 05/03/2015
    September 22, 2011 at 2:58 pm #82005
    Re: Heat Patches/Pads

    @amgmod wrote:

    @catatude wrote:

    getting back to the heat patches… how do you get the sticky little b****rs off. Had a stick direct to skin one on my lower back since yesterday morning and I cant get the blinking thing off. :oops:

    Know what you mean … ask the Postman? Do they disintegrate if you take a bath? This might loosen the glue and you might be able to wriggle about to ease it off, but not if it falls apart like a tissue i the washing machine.

    ask the postman. :oops: hell no. by lower back I really mean tail bone and sciatic nervs. dont know the postman well enough to be that cozy :lol:

    right .. herbal sticky heat pads and water dont mix. its gone and taken the top off and left the gluey bottom.

    method number 5 , pulled off at speed by ones mother like an old fabric plaster :cry: :o :cry: :o :o :o :o :o :o :shock: :cry: :shock: and :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: ==== free wax job

    Cat
    Moderator
    Posts: 1,002
    Joined: 20/09/2010
    September 22, 2011 at 3:01 pm #82006
    Re: Heat Patches/Pads

    @catatude wrote:

    @amgmod wrote:

    @catatude wrote:

    getting back to the heat patches… how do you get the sticky little b****rs off. Had a stick direct to skin one on my lower back since yesterday morning and I cant get the blinking thing off. :oops:

    Know what you mean … ask the Postman? Do they disintegrate if you take a bath? This might loosen the glue and you might be able to wriggle about to ease it off, but not if it falls apart like a tissue i the washing machine.

    ask the postman. :oops: hell no. by lower back I really mean tail bone and sciatic nervs. dont know the postman well enough to be that cozy :lol:

    right .. herbal sticky heat pads and water dont mix. its gone and taken the top off and left the gluey bottom.

    method number 5 , pulled off at speed by ones mother like an old fabric plaster :cry: :o :cry: :o :o :o :o :o :o :shock: :cry: :shock: and :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: ==== free wax job

    Sounds like the sticky-to-clothes ones might be better as they can be removed and offer physiotherapy rather than a waxing … wondered what that high pitched sound was earlier.

    I'm always the animal, my body's the cage

    I blog about nothingness www.amgroves.com

    AM
    Participant
    Posts: 4,751
    Joined: 05/03/2015
    September 22, 2011 at 3:20 pm #82007
    Re: Heat Patches/Pads

    @amgmod wrote:

    Sounds like the sticky-to-clothes ones might be better as they can be removed and offer physiotherapy rather than a waxing … wondered what that high pitched sound was earlier.

    :lol: hasnt put me off.. much ;) I cleaned the £1 shop out of all there heat pads in various sizes and types. you should have seen the look we got. dont find the over clothes ones as good, but they are pain free if a little heavy.

    I have such fun days off work.. going to de-fur me legs.. ;) so that I can try my new leg heat pads.

    Cat
    Moderator
    Posts: 1,002
    Joined: 20/09/2010
Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

Keep in touch