Lidocation infusion.....help!

[Fyllida]

I am still obsessing about the LI. Lovely community members, can you please help me understand one point and put my mind at ease, ‘cos its quite troubling with the procedure getting nearer. The docs just won’t explain.

Reading posts and internet researching, those with poor results demonstrate that nothing was achieved.

However, in nearly all cases when successful, it is stated that the pain relief only lasts 1 week or 3 if you’re lucky and then the whole thing (and ensuing trauma as it can be a nasty experience for some) has to be done again! And one’s tied to this bi-monthly procedure for life! Even if affordable....what’s the point ? I must be missing something here.....please, please put me straight! Many thanks to all.

[bantam12]

Personally if the effect is likely only short term I wouldn't bother, I'm having steroid injections which aren't working so no point in having more.

[Hidden in reply to bantam12]

I was the same I had 5 steriod injrctions and none of them helped

[Hidden]

For some, even 3-4 weeks with less pain is worthwhile. I had 2 trials, was carefully monitored, no problems. But, unfortunately not helpful.

[Bluebear05]

I have nerve block steroid injections both sides of the groin twice a year. It is not a nice experience but I do get 2 months pain free each time. It may not sound much but if you are in pain 24/7 2 months is a long time so well worth it.

[Fyllida in reply to Bluebear05]

Very many thanks, Bluebear. I have been offered steroid injections into the spine, but am fighting them as am afraid of steroids abd being tied to them for life. As a halfway house between them and medication, I have been offered a lidocaine infusion. Done lots of research on both, including thr incredible advice on HU and now realise the infusion lasts for only a short tine - 2-3 weeks and then another. I also read that if the surgeon hits the wrong spot, the damage to the whole body is incalculable.

What a mess. But must do something as just cannot go in like this, and work.

Am still hoping that the alternative medicines am trying...serrapeptase, turmeric, CBD will finally begin to work but must be patient, I suppose. Also, am hoping for a recommendation for the neuromidulator - if am a good candidate.

My pain doctor is hopeless. Always away, never returns phone calls despite offering to do so. And am the least demanding of patients, that’s very hurtful. I think have found a new one ...if she can take me on. Hope will know tomorrow, with everything crossed. Thank you again for your reply, Bluebear. Enjoy Sunday.

.

[Bluebear05]

🤞🏻 They can get your pain under control I can say the steroid injections have had NO adverse effect on me. I do have lidocaine plasters which I use every night between injections, they are brilliant ( for me) I did try the chilli patches I do NOT recommend them, they burn like xxxxx and the eventually relieve was for just 1 day. Good luck, keep positive thoughts it’s the only way to cope with pain . Xx

[Fyllida in reply to Bluebear05]

Thank you, Bluebear, I do understand that and also understand there cannot be a longterm fix. Am new to all this, as my pain came

on so suddenly and will never go away, just worsen in time if left untreated.

Am nervous because had one useless injection (by top bloke) back in November and things have become so much worse since. I think he has caused this, but cannot be sure, of course. Dread anything further done to me for this reason and cannot be sure life will be worth living. Am trying to be positive but there are too many blind alleys. Sorry if this sounds very deoressing, had a bad night and have to work this morning. Not sure how will get through.

[Bluebear05 in reply to Fyllida]

I’m sorry to hear that but you really do have to find your faith. Pain is tiring and lowering although it does rule your (my) life, I refuse to allow it to take control all of the time. For every negative there is a positive if you look. So I may be in pain and not able to work but I have a good husband and a happy home so Life is good 😇🙏🏻🤞🏻

[cyberbarn]

I have had several steroid injections in my big toes, and they always work for several months. I can only have three a year though. I haven't needed another one on my right foot, but my left foot needs a joint replacement now because it has gone beyond what a steroid can do.

I also had an LI in my ankle where I had a lot of pain after they damaged a nerve there. There was also scar tissue aggravating the nerve. It was weird to have a swollen, red and hot foot for few hours that I couldn't feel anything from! But once that settled down all the pain from the scar tissue and nerve damage stopped.

So for some, these injections work wonders. The problem is you won't know until you try.

[mabel22]

Hi everyone, this is the 1st time I have posted. I started having lidocaine infusions about 2 yrs & agree that the effects are short term. My pain reduces for about 3 weeks & is manageable which gives me a chance to feel a bit more normal both physically & mentally! I was a bit confused about you saying that you were worried about the surgeon hitting the right spot. I have always had mine in my stomach, which doesn’t hurt. I’ve had no side effects which is why I have continued for so long. The hardest thing is trying to get the appointments! I hope that helps as I know how hard it is making these sorts of decisions. Good luck xxx

[morphalot]

Why bother if it's so short-term? I had several joint injections which made no difference to my pain and the doctor said he wouldn't do any more as they were so ineffective.

[Fyllida in reply to morphalot]

Hi Morphalot. That’s what am thinking too. A few posts have mentioned successful nerve cauterisation. Do you know anything about that?

[morphalot in reply to Fyllida]

I know of it but thanks to internal politics at my local hospital I can't get access to it. Sorry!

[Fyllida in reply to morphalot]

That’s a shame ‘cos reading about it, RF has had a huge success rate.

[mekh331not]

Only you know how severe the pain is and whether short term relief is better than the constant level of pain which you currently endure.

[Fyllida in reply to mekh331not]

But it is sometimes so very hard to quantify unless one is at the most extreme level of pain. As am hesitating, obviously am not there yet, though sometimes the pain can be unbearable, other times not so much. Perhaps had better wait till it is constant (as am assured will happen), horrible thought, and am aware that am not dealing with the matter very well. Confused and am told too hard on myself, although what’s happened is bad luck, bad genes and not my fault.

Many thanks for replying.

[mekh331not]

Your situation is definitely not of your making. No-one deserves unrimitting pain (except perhaps Tony Blair). What I would add is that the period of time for which my level of pain was reduced following infusions was far more than four weeks. Hope this helps but as I say it is not possible for anyone other than you to understand the pain you are going through. For me, I shall continue with it for as long as this government will fund it.

[Fyllida in reply to mekh331not]

You are the first to say that lidocaine infusions last longer than 2-3 weeks! Did you have nerve cauterisation on any occasion?

Thank you very much, I now feel more encouraged. Am hesitating so much cos a steroid injection in November failed. Re T. Blair....who cannot but agree? X