Page Title: IV Lidocaine Infusion
Subtitle: Consultant supervised infusion to calm nerve sensitivity and reduce pain amplification
Meta Title: IV Lidocaine Infusion
Meta Description: Consultant led IV lidocaine infusion for selected patients with wide spread pain or fibromyalgia to help reduce nerve sensitivity and support function.
URL Slug: iv-lidocaine-infusion
IV lidocaine infusion is a specialist treatment used in selected cases of wide spread pain and fibromyalgia, particularly when symptoms suggest increased nerve sensitivity and pain amplification. It is delivered in a monitored clinical setting under consultant supervision and aims to calm overactive pain signalling so that daily movement sleep and rehabilitation become more manageable.
Home > All Treatments > Wide Spread Body Pain / Fibromyalgia > IV Lidocaine Infusion
Overview
Wide spread pain and fibromyalgia can involve heightened sensitivity within the nervous system. This can lead to pain signals becoming amplified and normal sensations such as touch pressure temperature change or gentle activity feeling uncomfortable. Many people also experience fatigue sleep disruption brain fog and flare ups that can be difficult to predict.
Lidocaine is commonly known as a local anaesthetic. When given intravenously at carefully controlled doses it can act on nerve signalling pathways involved in pain transmission. The goal of an infusion is to reduce nerve excitability and dampen pain amplification. For some patients this may reduce pain intensity improve sleep and increase tolerance for pacing physiotherapy and graded activity.
This option does not cure fibromyalgia. It is one part of a broader plan designed to reduce symptom burden and support longer term function.
Who This Treatment Helps
IV lidocaine infusion may be considered for people with:
• Wide spread pain consistent with fibromyalgia or central sensitisation
• Neuropathic features such as burning tingling shooting pain or abnormal sensitivity
• Pain that remains high despite medication physiotherapy pacing and lifestyle measures
• Symptoms that significantly disrupt sleep daily function or activity tolerance
• Frequent flare ups that limit progress with rehabilitation
• Complex pain presentations where a consultant has identified nerve sensitivity as a major driver
A consultation is required to confirm suitability and ensure this approach matches your medical history medications and symptom pattern.
What Is an IV Lidocaine Infusion
An IV lidocaine infusion involves administering lidocaine through a drip into a vein over a set period while monitoring heart rate blood pressure and overall response. The dose is selected to influence pain processing pathways without producing the full numbing effect associated with local anaesthetic injections.
The aims of treatment may include:
• Reducing nerve sensitivity and pain amplification
• Improving comfort to support movement and rehabilitation
• Reducing the intensity or frequency of flare ups in selected patients
• Improving sleep and daily coping when pain levels settle
Your consultant will explain whether a single infusion or a planned series is more appropriate based on your response and overall care plan.
What to Expect During the Procedure
Your visit typically includes:
• Review of symptoms medications and medical history
• Confirmation of suitability and discussion of realistic outcomes
• Baseline observations such as heart rate and blood pressure
• Placement of a small cannula into the arm or hand
• Continuous monitoring throughout the infusion
• Regular check ins to assess comfort and any side effects
• A short observation period after completion before discharge
The infusion duration varies depending on protocol and your individual tolerance.
After the Procedure
After an infusion it is common to experience:
• Mild tiredness or fatigue for the remainder of the day
• Temporary lightheadedness
• A gradual change in pain levels over hours to days
Your consultant may advise:
• Rest for the remainder of the day
• Avoid driving for a period if advised or if you feel lightheaded
• Continue pacing and gentle activity rather than sudden increases
• Keep a simple symptom diary tracking pain sleep and function
• Continue physiotherapy or graded activity if already in progress
Some patients notice improvement quickly while others need time to judge the effect. Response varies and not everyone benefits.
Benefits
Potential benefits may include:
• Reduced wide spread pain intensity in selected patients
• Reduced nerve sensitivity and abnormal pain responses
• Improved sleep when pain levels settle
• Improved ability to participate in physiotherapy and graded exercise
• Reduced reliance on some medications in some cases
• Better daily function and coping when symptoms are less intense
Possible Risks and Side Effects
IV lidocaine infusions are delivered in a monitored setting to support safety. Possible side effects include:
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Nausea
• Tingling sensations or metallic taste
• Temporary blurred vision
• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Changes in blood pressure or heart rate
• Allergic reaction rare
Your consultant will screen for risk factors and adjust the plan if there are concerns.
When to Consider Other Options
If IV lidocaine is not suitable or does not provide meaningful benefit your consultant may discuss:
• Ketamine infusion for selected sensitisation or neuropathic patterns
• Trigger point injections for muscle driven pain contributing to flare ups
• Medication review to optimise nerve pain or sleep support medicines
• Structured pacing and graded activity plans
• Pain psychology support such as CBT and ACT approaches
• Multidisciplinary care combining physiotherapy sleep strategies and flare up planning
Safety Note
Please inform your consultant if you have heart rhythm problems liver disease allergies to local anaesthetics are pregnant or take medicines that may interact with lidocaine. You may be advised to arrange transport home depending on the protocol and how you feel afterwards.
Arrange a consultation to discuss whether IV lidocaine infusion may be appropriate for your wide spread pain or fibromyalgia.