Lidocaine IV infusions to treat fibromyalgia

Hello. Although I have small fiber neuropathy, not fibromyalgia, I experience daily head to toe chronic pain. My neurologist recommended lidocaine IV infusions. I've learned the doseage is based on weight, I'm 120lbs and started at 600mg weekly for 4 weeks. I met with my Dr and told him that I sensed it was mildly lessening some areas of pain so I would continue to stick with it and he increased me to 750mg for 4 weeks. I'm half way into that dose and I'm in to win it so, will keep pursuing. My max dose will be 1000mg. Only time will tell if I get that far. I will say this...the one week I didn't have the infusion, my pain went from miserable daily pain to debilitating miserable daily pain. Therefore I will keep at it. Some days however, I wonder if my expectations are too high and I'm hoping for no pain at all. Wishing you luck as you navigate pain management.

@lioness, I also have had the Fibromyalgia diagnosis since the early nineties. Pretty sure I had it much earlier than that. Super Flare starred yesterday, and I thought I would stop by the "Chronic Pain" group and say hello.

Nothing new to share, really. Some days are so painful I consider it a success if I manage a shower. ALL the deep cleaning and yard maintenance falls to me now. My poor husband needs a hip replacement, but cannot have one. Too risky. He is not used to such pain. I feel so bad for him.

Of course, we are doing everything we can to investigate alternative ways of handling this situation.

I will ask about the Lidocaine next office visit with my PCP.

Keep hope alive!

Mamacita Jane

@mamacita I know how you feel those flares wont let you do anything accept wait them out . Do everything you know but still doesn't help much does it. Perhaps you can hire someone for the yard work ? Tomorrow is a new day with a silver lining in it for you

Dearest @lioness, my Grandson will do anything I ask him to do, whether it be yard work or housework. He doesn't even ask for payment. He knows we all pitch in around our house.

Our riding lawn mower is broken, as is our manual push mower. Both need hauling to the repair shop. We have been having our neighbor next door do it. She is happy to do it, and can use the extra money. Nice how things work out, sometimes.

There are indeed silver linings. Everywhere we look, if we keep our eyes open.

Love and cyberhugs dear heart!
Mamacita Jane

@mamacita Same to you cyber hugs friend

I can tell everyone here that I've done IV infusion in Freson CA with my pain management group. I was on extreme pain medication for years of my life. Were talking about Dilaudid, methadone, percocet etc. None of them did much for my pain. If I was at a 10 and took meds it may have dropped me to a 7 or 8 but never gone. I've had fibromyala most my life was diagnosed in my 20s. I've NEVER gotten the relief that I got from IV lidocaine drip. My treatment was once a month and took approx an hour and a half. As you're required to stay for a bit after treatment. As it can have an effect on your heart. I was also required to have a driver pick me up and sign me out of the pain clinic after treatment. As someone who hits a 10 pain level every day of my life. I can tell you that the IV drip made me 100% pain free for 3 weeks out of the month. My last week prior to next treatment I wouldn't go above a 4. This treatment is the very best treatment I've ever received. Unfortunately I'm on state insurance. So I got 4 months of pain relief and then got told my insurance would no longer cover the treatment. If I wanted to continue I must pay $1200 a month for treatment. As a single mother that was impossible. So I'm back to living in misery and can't seem to find a Dr who has even claimed to have heard of such a treatment. They all seem to think I'm crazy and I just know it was the best I ever felt in my life. I would give anything to have the opportunity to be treated with IV lidocaine for my fibromyala. I pray this message helps many of you and that you find the incredible relief that I did.

I have not but I'm going to my pain clinic doctor on Wednesday and will ask. They've never mentioned it to me.

I haven't found anything that works as yet. I joined this morning. I was diagnosed in 1999 after giving birth to a set of multiples. I don't know the Lidocaine drip. I feel like a Guinea Pig. I have been bounced from specialist to specialist. I have been diagnosed with markers for: Lupus, MS, and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Hmm, really? I don't know if anyone else has had this experience. I find this wholly frustrating as I am in a lot of pain and have no relief. My Neurologist said to try medical marijuana. Has anyone tried this? My abdomen (stomach) is killing me as well. So, I seek your help.