Fibromyalgia

A lidocaine/lignocaine infusion is when local anaesthetic is given by a pump, approximately up to 120 minutes, into a vein. It is not specifically licensed for use in this way, but it is known to have beneficial results.

Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic that you get when you go to the dentist. It numbs the nerves when injected into the veins. It works by decreasing nerve activity and the spread of pain signals in nerve fibres.

This treatment requires you to attend the clinic for a morning or afternoon session where you will meet your doctor and staff. You will stay in the clinic for about 3–4 hours. You will be monitored throughout the procedure and allowed home when we are confident you have not suffered any significant side effects. The treatment works over many days, so may not show any benefit immediately. A pain specialist will determine how beneficial the treatment has been during a follow-up assessment and arrange further treatment if necessary.

If this treatment helps, then you may find a decrease in pain from severe to a more manageable level. You may be able to decrease the amount of painkillers you regularly consume and you might be able to do more. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee you will benefit from this particular treatment. If you are benefitted, this can be repeated.

As with any procedure, there are side effects to this procedure. Please discuss these in detail with your doctor before agreeing to this therapy, as there can be alternatives. Fortunately, serious side effects or complications are very rare and by being continuously monitored, the chances of problems arising are minimised.

However, even at the recommended dose, side effects can occur. These include dizziness, headaches, drowsiness, tingling or numbness around your mouth, metallic taste, garbled speech, tunnel vision, ringing in your ears or a tremor, a sense of being drunk and nausea. If any of these side effects do occur, they usually disappear once the infusion is slowed down or stopped. Recognised potential complications of lidocaine infusions include low or high blood pressure, a slow or fast pulse rate, irregular heartbeats, fainting, seizures or allergic reactions to lidocaine which, in extremely rare cases, can lead to death.

If you would like to know more about this, please contact us for further information.

Discover relief from fibromyalgia—book your consultation to explore lidocaine infusion treatment options today.