United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hello all,

Its been awhile since i have visited these boards, just thought i would check in and ask if anyone has tried this combination? (gel of Ketamine, Lidocaine, and Loperamide). I get my first prescription of it on Friday, I will let you all know how it goes. Just for all those who don't know me or forgot who I was, I have a complete right brachial plexus injury with avulsions of C8 and T1 nerves. This was caused by a snowmobile accident over five years ago. For pain control i have tried Gabapentin, amitryptaline, Naproxen, and Oxycontin. I would say that the pain has either gotten better or I am getting used to it as I managing to cope much better now. Anyone have any experience with this type of Gel?

Cheers,
Andrew

Hello...

Have you tried IV with lidocaine? My husband has more relief from the lido than with all of the other drugs that he is on.

Best of luck
Beth

No never tried IV.... Sounds interesting though, how often does he have to go? are there any side effects? has his pain decrease been significant?

thanks,
Andrew

I have not tried any gel. I am not sure I would do very well with a gel. My skin is so sensitive it would probably cause more skin problems than pain relief! I am curious as to how it works for you. Do you just rub it into the area that is hurting and it soaks into the skin to give you relief? I would assume you would have to wear gloves or your hands would get "relief" as well! LOL

You have probably gotten use to the pain. I know that is how it is for me. It was the only way I could survive. Your tolerance gets higher. You learn different ways to deal with it. You adapt. Because we are human that is what we do!

Nice to see you back. Keep us informed of how the gel works for you.

Andrew...

Matt has had the IV done 1 time for 5 days as an in patient. The relief has been amazing! He has never felt better than he does today. Mind you he is also on methadone and fentanyl that did not decrease the pain to a tolerable level but the IV did, and now he is coming off of some of the heavy drugs. He can have the IV up to 4 times a year, for some it has relief for over 3 years so we are very hopeful. The lidocaine can make your heart beat irregular, so the watch your heart closely. Matt is 32 so being young his heart was not an issue. He had it done in Philadelphia by Dr Tabby who is from Drexel University, he works with Dr Swartzman who does the ketamine comas. i do not know how much info there is on the web for the IV with lido but it was a God send for us!
As I sure you know with a BP injury comes depression, and this brought the first ray of hope to a "normal" life so in turn Matt is so much happier.

Best of luck to you and if you have any questions please feel free to email me.

Beth

Okay well I finally recived the gel today so I will let you know how it goes in a day or two. Just a quick note this stuff was expensieve at about 130$ for 100 grams. This is in Canada so i'm guessing it may be a bit more in the USA. If it works I may have to see if i can get it cheaper.

Cheers,
Andrew