Since finding this Forum I have been fascinated - learning the range of treatments Members are on. Yet I can find no mention anywhere of treatment such as mine for extreme Neurological Hypersensitivity and other problems listed in my bio.
This is: Infusions of the anaesthetic Lidocaine 4 weekly, oral Ketamine the tranquillizer/anaesthetic, combined with narcotic pain killers in Morphine Sulphate and Tramadol.
Lidocaine can give some relief for up to 6 weeks. Doses of Ketamine borders on hallucinogenic sometimes.
I know this lot may seem excessive, but I get 40% pain reduction on a good day without the horror stories I have been reading re: side effects.
Are these treatments only available in little old England?

I don't have any personal experience but last evening saw a series called Drugs, Inc.; one of the TV channel's (National Geographic Channel (NGC). I watched a portion of the program because it dealt with Ketamine and had seen this mentioned on NT.

The program went on primarily dealing with the addiction of Ketamine and the hallucinations and out of body type experiences of the individual cases (one was from England) that were followed.

Like so many drugs; illegal abuse is a problem. When used medically, well trained individuals are needed to administer as an anesthetic as well as for pain and various other medical purposes.


Gerry

Hi, Gerry,
I am lucky enough to have satellite tv and that particular prog scared the life out of me earlier this year. But, as you say, my Pain Specialist is an expert - he's actually a working anaesthetist and I have literally trusted him with my life (on the table). Abuse leads to far worse side effects than medical use, but I am still cautious.
I just wonder as to the prevalence of use of these drugs as they have been shown to work so well for neuro pain - and personal experience confirms this.

Dave,

I have been going to my current Pain Specialist for about 4 or 5 years. He is a former anestiologist as is so many of Pain Specialist. I have had a more than a few surgeries. My current list of doctors are at the same hospital as my Pain Specialist.

Since I am on Oxycontin, Percocet, etc., the doctors have turned over care of pain medication to my Pain Specialist. It was frightening a few years ago when I had surgery. The nurse would only give me the medication for surgical pain. It is surprising how little training is done when the hospital is dealing with a patient already on pain medication.

WOoooooo; all at once; I went into withdrawal; my children got going and had the hospital call my Pain Specialist; he took care of prescribing immediately. After that experience; I always make sure that he is aware of my hospitalization as well as the doctors involved.


Gerry

Those treatments are now available in Canada now and have been used in the US for a while. Treatments are covered under Canada's healthcare system.

Welcome Oddy.

So, you are another member who knows severe pain. Do you benefit from either of these treatments yourself?

Dave.