It is possible your PN is more generalized? But yes, if you put them where you feel the pain...on the extremity, they may not work. If a whole leg is involved, putting on the back where the nerves come out of the spine often is better. People with diffuse burning pain all over the body would do better with the infusions I would think.

Here is my thread on placement. Check the 3D graphic link:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...light=Lidoderm

You know, I've tried all sorts of configurations with the patches and also the lido + prilo lotion, but no, nothing. I even try them now and again because...I don't know, I guess I think that this time, maybe it will help. I do the same with Tramadol. None of it really does help, but I'm just, you know, checking every few weeks.

Are you sensitive? I ask because those patches increased my pain too but I feel it is because I am so sensitive that even a light touch on or near my pain area I can't handle. That is why I ask.

I had lidocaine infusions as well though and it seemed to increase my pain. I am not sure if that was a fluke or not of the day

Yes Daniella I am touch sensitive but I don't think that was the problem, it is hard to explain but it was as if the patches switched on all my nerves at the one time so they were doing a dance to themselves
The infusion does increase my pain levels initially but that eases off after a few days and I get relief.

Lidocaine makes me far worse as i posted here before, even topically, its not so much the pain as suicidal anxiety for me.

Ive never had an infusion of it though .

m

Ok Maybe Mrs D or someone else could answer and I am sorry this is off topic a little. Lidocaine infusions are used for PN but why not ketamine infusions? They are being used for RSD and I know PN is different but I was just curious.

Mala how many times did you try the patches? I tried mine multiple times so I know my increased pain was not a fluke but sometimes it is just a flare up. Maybe you could ask for the cream or this just may not be the med for you and maybe discuss alternatives

I think ketamine is more often used in Europe:

http://www.neuropathie.nu/medicatie/...sche-pijn.html

I think it is used more for RSD type neuropathic pain, which is slightly different than PN.

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YES YES YES !!! I have a lidocaine infusion once a month and it's AMAZING!!!

River (didn't know where to post this)

Nancy

I don't care where your info is coming from but I have severe PN and get lidocaine infusion once a month at the hospital and it works miracles for me!

I go to ambulatory care at the hospital and they hook me up to an IV on the back of my hand, my veins are best there, I sit for about an hour and for the next month I'm pain free. Oh I may have bad day or two but that's nothing in comparison to what it was. The room has about 6 people getting the same thing. We sit around and chat or watch TV. I also take Gabapenten 3 times a day.

Maybe being in Canada makes a difference but lidocaine is my life saver. I can't understand why some doctors say no. I've been on it for almost 2 years now.

Please push for this.

River

I would love mine once a month but am now fighting with my local hospital as they say it is too expensive and I will only get it every 12weeks- not good. Although I know it really works now as I have not had an infusion for 8 weeks and I am in agony