I wrote a post in March 2010 on lidocaine infusions being used for pain relief.
57 comments later and I am still getting people saying they have just had an infusion, and how good it was. Some seem to be available on the NHS and others seem to be given privately, which could me they are quite expensive.
Comments were from patients in London, Wales, Glasgow, Isle of Man, Canada and Australia.
Most found the lidocaine a great help for their pain, which is given as an infusion over a couple of hours in hospital.
It is written that it’s used for neuropathic and chronic pain symptoms to help improve quality of life, as it does not have the same type of side effects as other opioid or analgesia.
When I wrote the last post on this it was not being used much in the UK at all, but it now seems to be available throughout the UK. But I can’t help but think that the availability on the NHS could be a post code lottery availability. This seems a shame if the effect can be so significant for chronic pain sufferers.
BACK PAIN BLOG UK... 
Have you tried it at all, Bar?
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I have only had it as an injection prior to the trigger point injection as it seems to work like a type of anaesthetic, but I really would like to try it. It doesn’t seem to be available on the NHS in our area though. 🙂
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Unfortunately the NHS has got a reputation for being the postcode lottery health service. It good to see this treatment available in the UK though and hope it helps those that need it the most.
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Thanks for that Adam, yes, I wish it was available in my area but I guess if it’s successful it will come in the end.
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That has turned out to be a pretty effective post Barb.
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It has hasn’t it hutt? maybe it will persuade more pain departments to give it a try. 🙂
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Hello, thanks for sharing the post!I was interested in knowing if this lidocaine infusion therapy has been used for patients who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia? I only ask because it seems that chronic pain and fibromyalgia seem to be closely associated.
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Hi Steve, not sure if any of my comments are from people who have Fibromyalgia but as a sufferer myself I am just hoping it comes available at my local NHS hospital. Try looking through my previous post on it to see if you can see anyone who may have had it for Fibro.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
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A fairly close friend of my girlfriend’s was diagnosed with fibromyalgia several years ago, and I asked her about these lidocaine infusions. I am not sure they are available near where she currently lives either, but hopefully they will be made available for these fibro patients too.
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Its the same where I am Robert, just a waiting game until they come available. Thanks for your comment, hope your friend is well.
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