lidocaine infusion didn’t work - I feel so down, what should I do?

[roselavenders]

I have severe chronic pain, and I’ve tried lots of medicines (nortriptyline, amitryptyline, co-codamol, codeine, tramadol, tapentadol), I’m currently on gabapentin 400mg x 3 times a day. But still in SO much pain.

So I went to a private doc who suggested lidocaine infusions. I had my first infusion 4 weeks ago, and it hasn’t worked

I feel so down. I don’t know what I should do now.

Does lidocaine sometimes only work after 3 or 4 infusions? I thought I saw that somewhere.

Or is Ketamine better?

if you have any experiences at all, please share, it would help me a lot!

[LancashireLad1]

they are both hit and miss as i have found out myself, i ended up on Pregabalin which helped a little but sometimes you have to live with pain depending what is wrong with you, it's not ideal but unfortunately we have no choice..

[roselavenders in reply to LancashireLad1]

Thank you.. I was wondering about switching from gabapentin to pregablin as I have heard it works better for some people.

[LancashireLad1 in reply to roselavenders]

i switched from Gabapentin to Pregablin which helped a touch but i had also tried other medication but to no avail as i was misdiagnosed and i was having those infusions for pain but wouldn't work as i had a compression in my neck which needed a operation. Good luck in trying to ease the pain..

[Scotsman53]

What's your diagnosis?

[roselavenders in reply to Scotsman53]

A probable genetic condition, and ME/CFS and fibromyalgia.

[Scotsman53 in reply to roselavenders]

Thanks. Don't know about the first but many have gotten great benefits for the other two conditions using the TMS approach (The Mindbody Syndrome), this is basically the same approach as in the Curable app, mentioned in another comment.

[Sgoodwin70]

Look up.Curable a group.in the US .Many people have recovered from chronic pain with this approach

[Imagine1]

Hi, I have been in chronic pain for over 4 years now and finally something is being done. I have been referred to The Walton Centre in Liverpool, I don't know whether you have heard of it before, I hadn't. It is a top specialist hospital that deals with all sorts of pain and how to deal with it. I have heard fantastic news about this hospital, the problem is there is a 33 weeks waiting list but if you ask your doctor if you could see someone there, he/she might be able to refer you and help you in some way. I am due to go next month and I am hoping they can do something for me. This is my last hope but at least it is hope for me. It could do the same for you. Take care.

[roselavenders in reply to Imagine1]

Thank you, I am not near Liverpool but I am sure this will be helpful info for others . I believe there are some specialist centres near me like this too, they are difficult to get a referral to, but I think you’re right, it’s worth trying.

[Imagine1 in reply to roselavenders]

I live in Manchester, so it is a long way for me to travel to as well, I just wish it was a bit nearer but hopefully it will be worth it for me. I would try to get a referral closer to home like you said, it could be worth it for you.

[LancashireLad1 in reply to Imagine1]

It is a great hospital for neurological , i had two operations there on my neck..

[Imagine1 in reply to LancashireLad1]

Hi, I have been told that it is a fantastic hospital for any treatment. I am so glad that it has helped you, I just hope it helps me too.

[Batty1]

What is your diagnosis?

[roselavenders in reply to Batty1]

Currently undiagnosed (undergoing tests), but a probable genetic condition causing muscle wasting, fatigue, pain etc. I also have ME/CFS & fibromyalgia.

[Batty1 in reply to roselavenders]

I feel sad for you and although I don’t have ME/CFS or Fibromyalgia I do have full body psoriatic arthritis that is killing slowly … the pain is brutal and I wish I knew the answer to living at least one day without pain…. Have you ever had your thyroid levels checked (TSH, FT4, FT3, Antibodies) and Vitamins D3, Folate, B12, complete Iron panel ? If not it wouldn’t hurt because thyroid issues and low vitamins can cause abnormal amounts of body pains …. Inflammation also can cause low vitamin levels…. It sounds odd but it’s true.

I wish you less pain on your journey.

[LancashireLad1]

The hardest part about chronic pain is accepting that you somehow have to live with it the best that you can and try and not over do things as makes matters worse. Hope you get some answers soon..

[PainConcernHelpline Moderator Community Champion Pain Concern]

Dear roselavenders

I am a forum moderator at Pain concern and have just been reading through your post.

I have put together some resources that hopefully help you cope with the pain that you are experiencing.

painconcern.org.uk/stress-p...

painconcern.org.uk/manage-y...

painconcern.org.uk/airing-p...

painconcern.org.uk/airing-p...

painconcern.org.uk/gabapent...

I hope these resources will provide you with some helpful information.

Best wishes

Pain Concern