1. Ask About Intravenous Lidocaine
Studies have shown that receiving intravenous lidocaine significantly reduces overall pain in people with fibromyalgia. In fact, it seems to improve many aspects of their lives. People who received intravenous lidocaine in a 2002 study reported feeling less depressed and being happier with their sex and social lives because of the diminished pain. While intravenous lidocaine didn't improve the study participants' ability to work, it did improve the quality of life enough to be worth taking.
2. Consider Lidocaine Injections
Injections of lidocaine directly into trigger points have been shown to reduce the pain of fibromyalgia. Trigger points are knotted bunches of muscle fiber that can't relax or contract anymore, usually due to illness or injury. These little knots cause tension and pain in the surrounding muscles. Injecting lidocaine into the trigger points numbs the pain and gives the knotted muscle fibers a chance to heal. Repeated lidocaine injections offer sustained pain control and may encourage the trigger points to release and heal over time.
3. Wear a Lidocaine Patch
Lidocaine patches deliver specific dosages of pain relieving medication directly to painful points, right through the skin. Lidocaine patches are self-adhesive and can be applied almost anywhere on the body. Whenever you're having a flare up of fibromyalgia, ask your doctor for a prescription for lidocaine patches. You can then stick patches on any areas that are particularly painful. The numbing effect activates quickly, usually within a few minutes or less, as the medication in the patch is absorbed by your skin. The medication numbs the nerves in the area under the patch and blocks transmission of the pain signals. However, it's a good idea to wear gloves when removing a lidocaine patch from its backing, since touching it with your fingers can numb your digits.
