One week ago I had a Lidocaine infusion in Rochester, NY. The procedure was done as out patient. An IV was put in and the infusion was started at 2mg/kg/hr and increased every 15 minutes. I received a total dose of 330 mg and took about 1 hour and 45 minutes. I only got a little bit of a headache and when I told them I was getting a headache they slowed the infusion down. I was given Versed twice as it raises the threshold for seizures which is a potential complication of the Lidocaine infusion. It is totally different than when one gets Ketamine. I am doing very well right now. I haven't been above a pain level of 5 in the last week and when it starts creeping up there if I go lay down it goes right back down to a 1-2. I have been able to increase my activity even though I over did a little on Sunday and felt it yesterday. I saw my massage therapist yesterday and he said to me "You look great today and you are walking normal." Reminded him that I had the infusion last week and he just couldn't believe the difference in me. I have no idea how long this will last but will enjoy it for now.
The pain group in Rochester, NY will not do another outpatient Ketamine infusion because I only got about 2 days of relieve from it. They said if I want to do Ketamine again I need to find someone who does the inpatient infusion so I can get a higher dose. That means I'll try it again sometime in Phoenix with Dr. Sparlin and Dr. Hibner since I got almost 1 month of decreased pain when I had the Ketamine infusion in Phoenix back in Oct. 2011.
I know there are some who have not been able to tolerate the Ketamine for a variety of reasons. Lidocaine infusions might be another option to investigate either because it might be easier to tolerate, it is only done for 1 day, and maybe insurance will be more likely to pay for it. Lidocaine was the first treatment option for patients with CRPS/RSD before Ketamine was used so it has been around as a treatment option for a while.
Lidocaine IV Infusion
Lidocaine IV Infusion
2/07 LAVH and TOT 7/07 TOT right side removed 9/07 IL, IH and GN neuropathy 11/07 PN - Dr. Howard
6/08 Obturator neuralgia - Dr. Conway 11/08 Disability, piriformis syndrome - Dr. Howard
4/09 Bilateral obturator decompression surgery, BLL RSD - Dr. Howard
9/10 Removed left side TOT, botox, re-evaluate obturator nerve - Dr. Hibner
2/11 LFCN and saphenous neuralgia - Dr. Dellon 2/11 MRI with Dr. Potter - confirmed entrapment
5/11 Right side TG - Dr. Hibner 2012 Left side TG - Dr. Hibner
6/08 Obturator neuralgia - Dr. Conway 11/08 Disability, piriformis syndrome - Dr. Howard
4/09 Bilateral obturator decompression surgery, BLL RSD - Dr. Howard
9/10 Removed left side TOT, botox, re-evaluate obturator nerve - Dr. Hibner
2/11 LFCN and saphenous neuralgia - Dr. Dellon 2/11 MRI with Dr. Potter - confirmed entrapment
5/11 Right side TG - Dr. Hibner 2012 Left side TG - Dr. Hibner
Re: Lidocaine IV Infusion
Thanks for the informative post, NYT. I hope the infusion continues to provide you with some pain relief. You are a true CRPS/RSD pioneer!
Athlete until pain started in 2001. Diagnosed with PN in Nov. 2010. Probable cause: 3 difficult labors, 5 pelvic surgeries for endometriosis, and undiagnosed hip injuries. 60% better after 3 rounds of shockwave therapy in Cornwall, Ontario (Dec - Feb/12). 99% better after bilateral hip scopes for FAI and labral tears (April and July/12). Pelvic pain life coach Lorraine Faendrich helped me overcome the mind/body connection to chronic pain: http://www.radiantlifedesign.com