Hi fb, thanks for the info. The pain has spread to the other side of my back,not so much as a burning, but a needle pick and a hurting pain. sometimes it feels like something is crawling on my skin. Also, I get sharp pains on both sides were my kidneys are. It hurts sometimes to put a shirt on or lay down on my back. I did try the patches, but they keep falling off. I will try the gel though. I am taking lortab, but that doesnt help very much. I am seeing a pain dr. and they did one injection and I hurt worse than before! He wants to do another injection but I hurt so bad from the other one, I am not sure I want another one. I tried lyrica and that did not help at all. If my scan turns out ok, then i'll know its not my kidneys. It is strange that its spreading to the other side, though. thanks I;ll keep in touch kennyc