Lidocaine infusion for chronic pain

[JRyder]

Hi

Does anyone know of an NHS facility that DEFINITELY offers lidocaine infusions for chronic pain?

They were recommended by a private consultant, who I saw as local waiting lists are so long.

Found they have been withdrawn locally on NHS. (are available privately)

I am in the Bristol area but can travel

Thanks

Jane

[Hidden]

This is interesting because I was told the same thing at my Scottish pain management clinic - also re patches. The consultant anaesthetist actually looked shocked when I asked about Lidocaine.

And yet I have since come across someone with same type of pain as mine (small fibre neuropathy) who is in under the same neighbouring healthboard as my main hospital. She explained that she gets lidocaine infusions for hers under the nearer pain management clinic that I couldn’t access due to my post code.

I have therefore decided there must be a post code lottery - or maybe she just shouts louder about her pain than I do - who knows?

[JRyder in reply to Hidden]

I know some health things in Scotland are different to England but you can go to Any clinic/hospital in England. If the GP refers you to the local one because they say they have to (not true) go online and look up choose n book/ebookers you can change your hospital!

Do not take no for an answer post code lotteries should be challenged Drs are willingly doing the work of austerity Britain and restricting our access to Pain meds and denying our human rights.

[Hidden in reply to JRyder]

Unfortunately this isn’t the case in Scotland or Wales - you can only seek a second opinion within Scotland and are not entitled to request an out of area one in England. This is what Wendy39 has been posting about here on LUK for a while now. It’s the worst aspect of devolution.

[Ina26484 in reply to Hidden]

I have heard so many stories that lidnocaine infusion no longer available in the NHS, however, even if you find one waiting list so long.

I found it easier to get in done in different places and no waiting time.

[happytulip]

Yes, I have had one and am on a waiting list for another. My NHS consultant has a long waiting list but also has a private practice. I am in the East of England.

[Hidden]

I suspect they will become harder to access due to a lack of good quality evidence that they work.

cadth.ca/sites/default/file...

[happytulip in reply to Hidden]

Sadly that is the case. Many health boards are refusing to do them because of lack of clinical evidence that they actually work. However, I can tell you from personal experience that I had 9 months of living with MANAGEABLE pain. I was able to change my own bed sheets, drive, walk, have some level of life. I even came off morphine.

Some things should be down to patient experience. If they aren't going to bother doing the research then they should use some other method to judge the effectiveness.

[JRyder]

There is VERY good recent research from America (2019) that supports them as safe (few side effects) non addictive and providing statistical significant pain relief under double blind conditions.

Will put up the reference later.

[lizzy1976]

My cousin gets this, she lives in Blackpool x

[JRyder in reply to lizzy1976]

Thanks

[morphalot]

Hi JRyder - pain management clinic in St Thomas hospital in London do them. However they're not allowed face to face with patients yet so it could be some time before you get it.

[Ina26484]

Hi Jane

If you still looking for lidnocaine infusion the best option is to do in Ireland, no waiting list and easy to book.

[Biddy64 in reply to Ina26484]

Hi, where abouts in Ireland? And are they covered by insurance?

Thanks in advance