Lidocaine IV Infusion

Have had 2 treatments for complex-regional pain syndrome (RDS), peripheral neuropathy, injured femoral nerve, and low back pain. Good news = tolerated side-effects well and did not start up afib episode. Bad news = no pain relief at all, whether during or after. I did seem to have a little improved activity function. Anyone else who failed to have any relief from these treatments?

[lb003]

Yep at most I used to get 2 or 3 days relief. I used to her lidocaine infusions about every 2 months for a couple of years. I kept having them as even 2 days pain relief was worthwhile. I'm now off all pain meds as the side effects became so bad I couldn't walk or drive. I've learnt to slow things down and not push myself so much and I have learnt to meditate which does help too.

[Hidden in reply to lb003]

Good example of self-analysis and then combining what is most effective for YOU.

[lb003 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Lorna.

[misty14]

Hi lorna Dione

Sorry to read you've had little relief from an lidocaine infusion!. That's tough as we so pin our hopes on these treatments for help. I too have femoral nerve damage and it's no picnic is it. ?.I use the lidocaine patches and get some relief from them. Have you tried them?. Might be more direct relief !. Take care. X

[Hidden in reply to misty14]

Will check out the patches, I have to be careful to avoid any type of heart stimulant. I only wear certain loose pants to avoid irritation and have a little folding footstool to elevate my leg when sitting in a chair.

[misty14 in reply to Hidden]

Always worth asking your GP about them. Good luck hope you can use them. How did you get your femoral nerve damage?. Was it like me a complication after an angiogram?. You mention your having to be careful of your heart so I wonder?. x

[Hidden in reply to misty14]

Similar, groin catheter for cardiac ablation for afib 2 years ago. Apparently, rare complication, but I had trouble in both groins. Fortunately, at least the right side settled down.

[misty14 in reply to Hidden]

So sorry lorna do one. I wonder how rare it actually is?. Mine was seven years ago, don't think it will settle its so persistent!. Good luck for the patches. X

[pchildre in reply to misty14]

I use the lidocaine patches, but there are days they cause me more pain because that left thigh is so sensitive to touch. I can't stand pants or anything rubbing up against it. The patches are stuck, not rubbing, but still have that constant touching the sensitive area feeling. I cry when they go on and when they come off and many times I can't tell they are helping me at all.

[misty14 in reply to pchildre]

Hi pcgikdre

I wouldn't have thought the patches were suitable for you as your so sensitive in that area. I use them and they do help me. Maybe you could try something else!. Did you have thigh nerve damage too. X

[Hidden in reply to pchildre]

Nerve pain is so unpredictable and area may be larger than the patches. I gave up trying to use them on knee/thigh area. Not sure they did much anyway.

[Hidden]

I've had one and it did absolutely nothing!!

[Coastwalker]

idea only - get your vitamin B12 bloods and D bloods checked lorna-doone18 ?

Peripheral neuropathy and anything to do with nerves can be down to B12 deficiency .

Low/deficient vitamin D can be linked to low back pain, mine was.

Don't expect Medics to tell you these facts, rare ones might.

[Hidden in reply to Coastwalker]

Yes, levels fine. Have taken Metanx for about 6 years, a special B-vitamin medical food for peripheral neuropathy, have written about it on this site.

[Coastwalker in reply to Hidden]

Good that your levels are fine, I have not heard of Metanx before lorna-doone18, has Metanx managed to get rid of your peripheral neuropathy completely ?

[Hidden in reply to Coastwalker]

not completely, but about 50% especially of the evening/night suffering. If you search in the upper right corner of this sight for Metanx, you will see my comments. Or you can Google it.

[Coastwalker in reply to Hidden]

Good that it has helped you some of the way lorna-doone18, yes will take a look at Metanx.

[Coastwalker in reply to Hidden]

I found it lorna-doone18, just a thought - did you know that Burning feet is another symptom of B12 deficiency ?

[Hidden in reply to Coastwalker]

yes, thanks.

[lb003 in reply to Coastwalker]

Yes I totally agree as that has helped me no end too

[Samvegl]

Too true. If only they would be more straightforward?

[Hidden in reply to Samvegl]

In my case, because of other medical conditions and meds, this was a last resort. While I think the pain clinic sincerely wants to help, there also is a component of filling up treatment slots with any possible candidates?

[Drm532]

Hiya.

I had it and was a waste of time the only thing I got out of it was feeling a bit drunk I also so over heard 2 nurses talking about lidocaine and that it has never really been tested as pain relief.

Good luck

[Hidden in reply to Drm532]

There is minimal research online, mostly for post-surgery pain or fibromyalgia. You would think with all the effort to limit opioid use, this would be a big research focus.

[Teanna]

Hi,

I had this treatment for the same problem for 6mths with no success. They then tried Gwenathadine blocks for my lower leg and it worked, but sadly due to getting APS, I could not longer have them, so I only have 2 types of tablets which are anti depressants (not because I'm depressed), it's a form of treatment plus Gababendtin, excuse the spellings as I've not got them near me, but they do give a bit of relief, not much but enough to bear.

I was under Queens square, The National hospital.

I wish u all the luck because I know how painful it is.

Good luck and please keep me informed.

Kind regards

Tina

[Hidden in reply to Teanna]

Thanks for your comments. I am in US, so was lucky my insurance even covered lidocaine IV infusion since it is still considered experimental here. May try once more since all the arrangements are set up.

[stenosis49 in reply to Teanna]

Hi there, just read your post and I take amitriptyline and pregabalin for nerve pain caused back in 2012 after prolapse repair and a tot (mesh) to support the urethra as I had slight stress incontinence due to the prolapse, it took about 18months to get this pain under control or as you say enough to bear on a daily basis, also I was having such unbearable pain that even going to the pain management course they didn't really understand what I was trying to describe. not clued up on nerve pain and was prescribing me tramadol and slow release morphine, when really I needed two above and yes they can work well together to bring some form of relief enough to give back quality of life for me anyway

[Teanna]

Hi, RDS but here in the U.K. It's called RSD, the pain management team are the ones that diagnosed it, but many fake this so I don't know if you had a long road to actually get it diagnosed because I have trouble with medical doctors, they just call it a Chronic pain disorder, which to me is stupid as most doctors just looked as if (you got pain so get on with it). They even did a plecbo on me to make sure that I had it, and I did. I also take MST which is a slow releasing painkiller, it also takes the edge of it but it's the burning pain you have inside is the pain that nothing takes it away, so I've just have had to live with it 20yrs now.

But as I said, let me know how you get on.

Kindest regards

Tina

[forgottenit]

I have used lidocaine patches and they are ok, not total relief but able to move for short while. My probs are base of back with accompanying nervre damage

[Teanna in reply to forgottenit]

Hi,

Sorry to bother you, you say you use patches, are these Fentenal patches ?(sorry about the misspelling, it's the brain fog), they are a form of morphine, and they last up to 72hrs. (I was ellergic to the adhesive). Apparently these give you some relief, but don't get rid of the burning sensation.

Tina

[forgottenit in reply to Teanna]

no they are lidocaine patches, white rectangle shaped patches, they are sticky and is recommended to wear for max 12 hours at a time. Don't totally kill pain but can make it bearable

[Teanna]

hi,

I wish you all the luck. Please let me know how you get on.

Kind regards

Good luck

Tina

[sarahbadger]

Hi all, sorry for joining the post a little late, my first Lidocaine infusion gave me 2 months pain free, I have fibromyalgia, costochondritis, restless leg syndrome and anxiety. I am on the waiting list for my next one, wondered if anyone found any private places that do this? I am based down south Essex/London.

Thanks in advance