Generally when we think of pain meds for fibromyalgia we think of pills, and typically we think of opioids (because they are all the rage and all the news of late). But, there are more options in the sea than just pills, including several intravenous medications that are now being used to treat fibromyalgia.
A 2013 review in Pain Physician Digest looked at the various intravenous drug options and their effect on chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia.
I won’t bore you with the whole review, but I will share what’s relevant to fibromyalgia.
Intravenous Lidocaine and Fibromyalgia
The first IV drug that the review looked at was lidocaine. Lidocaine is a sodium calcium channel blocker that has been used to reduce post-op pain for over 50 years.
IV lidocaine works to decrease neuropathic pain associated with diabetes (neuropathic pain is also common in fibromyalgia).
Two doses (4 hours each) were administered four times a week. Not only did the lidocaine significantly reduce the pain, but the reduction was still there at 14 and 28 days post-infusion.
In fibromyalgia patients, a single 30 minute infusion significantly reduced pain for 4-7 days.
Another larger study involved 6-hr infusions over 6 days where the dosage was increased each day, reaching a maximum dose of 550mg.
Some patients saw relief for up to 36 weeks. That’s an amazing amount of relief.
Have you had IV lidocaine infusions for fibromyalgia pain? Did you find it helpful? Share on X
Intravenous Ketamine for Fibromyalgia
Ketamine works on several neuro-receptors and it’s commonly used during surgery to create the “twilight” sedation.
#Fibromyalgia peeps, Has Ketamine reduced your pain? #chronicpain Share on XIn the review of how Ketamine affected neuropathic pain, Jorum et el found that Ketamine patients had reduced sensitivity to cold pain.
Ketamine reduced the radiation of the pain from the initial site of cold stimulation.
Another small study of patients with peripheral neuropathic pain found that patients treated with Ketamine reported a significant reduction of spontaneous pain. They also saw reduction at the site of the neuropathic pain.
Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is similar to Fibro but worse (from what I hear). A study looked at giving CRPS patients 5-day infusions of Ketamine.
30 patients were sedated for the entire 5 days. At one month beyond treatment all patients were still in complete remission from CRPS, with 17 patients still in complete remission at 3 months.
In another study 60 CRPS patients were treated with sub-anesthetic level Ketamine for 4.2 days. Patients saw significant reduction of spontaneous pain for up to 11 weeks.
Studies examining the effects of various levels of Ketamine injections on Fibromyalgia have generally found that it significantly reduces muscular pain at rest, reduced pressure point threshold, pain tolerance at tender points, and muscle endurance.
From the various studies it seems that Ketamine is less likely to work for any lengthy time at the lower levels.
Basically, you’ll have the best results if you are out for a couple of days (or at least a few hours).
Some people report having great relief from their fibromylagia pain following unrelated surgeries where they are put under with Ketamine.
More studies are looking at Ketamine as a potential treatment for drug-resistant fibromyalgia pain.
Have you had the experience of your fibromyalgia pain being reduced for a time after a surgery where Ketamine was used? Or, have you used Ketamine to treat fibromyalgia pain? If so, share your experience in the comments below.
Related Posts:
- Progesterone and Fibromyalgia
- Blood Test May Lead to Fibromyalgia Vaccine
- Every Pain Experience is Different
- Legalization of Medical Marijuana and Opioid Overdose
References:
Boleslav Kosharskyy, M. D., Wilson Almonte, M. D., & Naum Shaparin, M. D. (2013). Intravenous infusions in chronic pain management. Pain Physician, 16, 231-9.
Terri says
I have had idiopathic neuropathy for almost 20 yrs. Rheumatoid arthritis, chronic back pain and fibromyalgia. I take opioids but would be very interested in the lidocaine infusion. I live in Pittsburgh. Does anyone know of any pain docs here that due this. Thanks
Julie says
Curious if you’ve ever looked into Autonomic neuropathy? I’m finally seeing a neuro specialist to be evaluated for this later this week. Once I started looking at it it explained so much. Like you, I’ve had my neuropathy listed as idiopathic for over a decade with my neuro dismissing so many symptoms as unrelated and just shrugging. I finally saw a different neuro and I’ve never had anyone look so concerned as he did when reviewing my symptom list. He believes I have autoimmune autonomic neuropathy and referred me to a specialist for further testing. It seems it’s only done at major health centers/ teaching hospitals.
Cathie McKenna says
Hi Carl,
I also live in Australia, l am not a doctor, your symptoms sound more like Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) to me. I have fibromyalgia, and my son had the rare condition of CRPS, as the name suggests it is very complex. I urge you to immediately seek medical attention from a pain management specialist, consult you GP for referral. A Pain specialist is able to better prescribed medication more appropriate for your symptoms. Either privately or thru the public system if privately is not something you can financially afford. Ketamine IV infusion is provided for on Medicare as an inpatient in hospital. Also other complimentary treatments eg physio, occupational therapy, welfare support and physiologist are available as out patient services in public hospitals that have pain management services.
My son had CRPS for over 14 years, it spread throughout 100% of is body, he suffered greatly with pain, spasms, dizziness, migraines, swollen limbs and much, much more, before his sucide 3 years ago. Please Carl, seek help and support, Cathie.
Mrs Kosky says
I have two painful conditions and when I have been an inpatient ketamine has helped so much with no withdrawal or horrible side effects or blocked bowels !!!
Beverly says
I didn’t want to go on opioids so i chose to try thc.cbd’s the creams are really good rub them in good and get some relief!
Julie says
Absolutely agree. CBD products have been amazing for me. After my last surgery I actually managed to avoid taking any pain meds after I left the hospital by using a CBD pain patch instead. One patch lasted 5 days and I felt no pain, so amazing!
brenda pelletier says
hi
has anyone tried EZORB HIGH POTENCY CALCIUM this works for joint pain
Kim says
I suffer from Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid arthritis, and Anklosing Spondylitis. I am on Infusions for my Anklosing Spondylitis but it’s just slowing the inflammation in certain areas, not the pain….I take Oxycotin CR 30 mg for the pain and that’s just to get out of bed…..I’ve used Lidocaine patches and I swear by them, they help. If I could get It by IV to help with pain, I live in Pennsylvania…..Is there any local hospitals/doctors that that do this?
jenny l Farr says
Sounds like something to try! Quick question who all has body jerks in thier sleep? What do you use to control it?
Madelyn Dunmire says
I have restless leg syndrome where I have jerk my legs. I take clonazepam. Which I am trying to get off of. There are Sleep Medicine Neurologists who can help with these sorts of problems.
Julie says
Yes! That’s actually today’s blog topic. Too often sleep testing and proper treatment for sleep disorders is completely overlooked.
https://countingmyspoons.com/2018/10/fibromyalgia-and-sleep-testing/
Paula says
I have body jerks at night that wake me up. I have them occasionally during the day too. I noticed someone said they take clonazepam (generic for Klonopin and originally developed to help prevent seizures). I take that also at night and it has made them fewer and farther between. I hope that helps.
Julie says
I used to take muscle relaxers at night for the same reason.
Mary Beth says
I have done a short (few hours) of ketamine infusion for my pain. I was amazed! I couldn’t believe the pain I had actually been in for so long. The down side to it is the small dose didn’t last very long and with 3 kids it’s hard to be sedated for 3-5 days! The loose of control for that period is so scary for me. However I think I will try it again because my pills aren’t working and I don’t want to go back on opioids.
Kiz says
Please email your answer to me at ktullous@yahoo.com
Did your insurance cover this through a pain doctor? If not idea of how much it cost to do this TY
Lori says
Where did you find a dr to administer IV Ketamine. Can’t get out of bed much. Thanks and God bless
Michelle says
How do I find out where I might try it? I’m in Cleveland OH, desperately praying for my life back in some recognizable way.
T. M. M. says
Hi Michelle!! I have amazing results done with my doctor in Willoughby. The doctor is Dr. David Demangone @ Cleveland Medical Institute. Schedule an appointment to discuss the Ketamine Infusion. I was under diagnosed for 7 years until I began seeing him 4 years ago. Best wishes to you!!!
Donna Michalowski says
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia over one year ago and have not been able to be put in remission. I am very interested in trying this ketamine infusion. I live on Long Island New York. Is anyone aware of any drs near me that could help me. Thank you.
carl says
I have been using opioids for 10 years the have given me more pain than the original pain, they have have killed my stomach to the point of no return paralizing it.I am in the stage of cutting them out but have found the new medications are not working and night terrors, burning feet, tic in my back and multiple spasms all night I never sleep I have tried most everything to stop the burning but can’t, I am in Australia so I do not know if a lot of your remedies meaning rubs are sold here so would like some more information on some if possible Thank you Carl