Has anyone had both of these? I am looking into for my daughter and her current doctor performs the lidocaine infusions, but not ketamine infusions.

If you have had both performed, did they give equal relief, or did one work better than the other? How long did your relief last?

I had 8 lidocaine infusions, 300 mg each, between July 2009 and early 2010. It was the first time since my diagnosis with RSD in June of 2008 that I felt somewhat normal some of the time!!

Then on April 19, 2010 I started the 10 day ketamine outpatient protocol with Dr. Getson in Marlton, NJ. The difference was amazing! Ketamine is about 3-4 times more powerful than lidocaine. I stayed with Getson for the first few months for my treatments, traveling from RI to NJ when I needed my infusions. Then a local doctor, Dr. Chopra, began to offer them here. So I no longer need to travel to get my ketamine.

To date I've had 54 ketamine infusions, my current protocol is 200 mg 2 days in a row every 4-5 weeks. I returned to work on a FT basis a year and a half ago.

The very best of luck to you and your daughter! Ketamine changed my life! If you have any questions let me know....

Xoxo Sandy

Thank you, Sandy. My daughter is only 13, so I'm thinking it would be best to start with the Lidocaine, then we can work up to the Ketamine if we need to. However, I don't want to put her through it if the Lidocaine doesn't give good relief. She has not had relief from nerve blocks; she has had 5 out of the series of 6, each providing only a few days relief of decreased pain, but the pain was still there. She is so fed up with getting poked and injections, trying this and trying that, with nothing working. I just hate to put her through it if it won't be enough.

Why did you switch from the Lidocaine to the Ketamine? Did the first rounds of Lidocaine work and then stop working?

My wife had a lidocaine infusion about 4 years ago at GW hospital in Washington. It had no effect but my wife at the time was in her late 40s and received very little treatment or even a diagnoses for 4 years. She does benefit somewhat using prescription lidocaine cream.

Lidocaine infusions in general are just not as effective as ketamine and can be very risky. I had a severe reaction during one infusion and my throat almost closed up. Each infusion caused my BP to increase to the point that my head felt like it was going to explode. The relief I got was welcome but didn't last that long.

Ketamine, for me, is an amazing solution to my pain. I receive very low doses - only 200 mg each -and have minimal side effects. There are still some side effects, such as terrible nausea and migraines, for which I take meds. But I am so much better that they are worth it. Ketamine has allowed me to return to work on a FT basis since June 2010.

I recommend that you visit the Ketamine Klub FB page and check it out. Many real nice people are on there that will be able to give you lots of support in regards to Infusions for your daughter. Good luck!! I will keep her in my prayers!

P.S - Have you tried any of the PT programs for children yet? Dr. sherry at Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania in Philly is reputed to be one of the best. There is also a good Children's Hospital in Waltham, Mass.

Sandy

You thanked me for mentioning Lidocaine infusions in a different thread, but I have no experience with them. I'm familiar with Lidocaine patches and cream--both of which are a good idea, btw.

Ketamine is considered to be one of the best options to put patients into remission that have tried more conservative options to no result.

I have had blocks performed by 2 different doctors. The results were better with the 2nd doctor, even though I was already in a window that many patients no longer see any relief from them. The skill of the doc and the meds used in the block can make a difference.

Many people do get relief from a SCS. It can cause spread though.

My personal opinion is that there are different treatments and medications that work well for different people. It might require a combination of things to get her major relief and/or put her into remission. Finding a doc that is knowledgeable and you are both comfortable with is key.

If you can get her into HBOT, and warm water therapy, before and after she undergoes blocks, or infusions, it certainly can't hurt--and might very well help!

Lit Love, you're right, you did, however, mention the ketamine outpatient therapy, which went hand in hand with the lidocaine therapy when I started researching it. We went into her dr today & he is starting the pre-auth for the Lidocaine infusions....he does 1-day infusions, not the 3 or 5 day, so hopefully this will work!!!! Unforunately, i cannot find a dr that does the Ketamine therapy that also takes my insurance. Her dr does not seem to enthusiastic about the Lidocaine infusions, because of their short-term effects. He put her on Celebrex today and said if the Celebrex doesn't provide relief or she if she cannot tolerate it and if the Lidocaine infusions don't work, we need talk more about the SCS.

I can see why you may be reluctant of the SCS from all that you have researched. The thing that gets under my skin (only personal) is how many doctors blindly recommend this device. I truly believe it rids them of the DEA in some manner and the ability to make money at the same time, just my observation. Push comes to shove, there is the SCS test your daughter will receive before any major surgery takes place. A lead wire is temporarily inserted near or in the spine. The device itself is outside of the body. I think this test lasts for a few days. This way your daughter and yourself can evaluate the device without full obligation.

I urge you to seek a 2nd opinion before letting anyone NEAR a child with an SCS.

Children have a high rate of remission from RSD with the right treatments. Seek out the very best doctors for your child. CHOP in Philly, Children's Hospital of Boston, The Cleveland Clinic, etc.

The SCS has an incredibly high PROFIT rate for doctor's that inplant them. And equally high failure rates for their patients.

This board offers a search option - you can enter the term SCS into the box up in the right hand corner and see for yourself how many have suffered from infections and repeat surgeries after having an SCS inplanted.

Sandy

Hello, and I am sure sorry your daughter has to go through any of it. However I have had two Katamine infussions for my cervical area C3-7. This proceedure did help me with the pain. I also was satisfied that it didn't hurt administering it, and I got good pain relief after. I would do this for myself again if I ever needed it. I had no side effects, no headaches. This was my experience. ginnie