Today I had my second lidocaine infusion in the hope that it is more successful than the last one I had in January which didn't appear to help at all. I have to travel into London to the Neurology & Neurosurgery Hospital in Queen Square.
It is used to reduce nerve excitability and is sometimes used as a treatment for some chronic pain conditions, in particular those caused by neuropathic pain. The drug is given over a course of an hour through infusion into a vein. They monitor your heart and blood pressure during the course of the treatment as like any medication it can have side effects such as fits, abnormal heart rhythms and low blood pressure. Fortunately I haven't suffered from any of these problems during the infusion despite the fact that my blood pressure is normally very low anyway
This time I had a companion 'Henry' and of course my trusty Kindle. I am currently reading The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony and Graham Spence. What a wonderful read so far! I also have to have 'an escort' to take me home so my lovely husband came to. He bought some work with him to do and was kept busy that way.
I have been doing more research and googling on the web into Chiari Malformation and have found some interesting websites. Although somewhat scary as well. I am fairly certain that the pain I suffer from is as a result for the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and subsequent decompression surgery I had, but forewarned is forearmed and after my Pain Specialist seeming rather concerned about when I was having follow up appointments and whether I was going to be monitored I thought I ought to investigate further.
The Ann Conway Trust home to the British Syringomyelia Chiari Society.
Conquer Chairi
Chiari Support UK a valuable forum of fellow sufferers.
and another online support group based in America but with Worldwide members
Chiari Malformation Support Group
I've also found a couple of blogs as well which I have subscribed to.
