Pain Infusion Therapy
What is Pain Infusion Therapy?
Infusion therapy involves infusing the body either intravenously or subcutaneously with anesthetic.
Changepain is the first and currently only community pain clinic in BC accredited to deliver Infusion Therapy for chronic pain. Changepain is accredited under the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC Non-Hospital Medical and Surgical Facilities Program.
How will I know if it will help?
How much does it cost?
If you have a serious pain syndrome and other conventional treatment options have failed or have made little progress, our Pain Infusion Therapy may help.
This is a private pay procedure.
Some extended health plans and other insurers cover the cost of treatment or part of the cost. Please check with your insurer to find out if you are covered.
Note that some hospitals may provide other forms of infusion therapy within their budgets that are funded by Health Authorities.
| Service | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Subcutaneous Lidocaine Infusion | 30 minutes | $530.00 |
| IV Lidocaine Infusion | 4 hours | $2,100.00 |
| IV Dissociative anesthetic (KET) for Pain (Short Single) | 1 hour | $775.00 |
| IV Dissociative anesthetic (KET) for Pain (Short Recurrent) | 1 hour | $695.00 |
| IV Dissociative anesthetic (KET) for Pain (Full Day) | 7 hours | $3,100.00 |
| Combination IV anesthetic (KET and Lido) for Pain (Short Single) | 1 hour | $1,000.00 |
| Combination IV anesthetic (KET and Lido) for Pain (Full Day) | 7 hours | $3,500.00 |
PAIN INFUSION THERAPY FAQs
Anesthetic medications can block certain receptors in the nerves in your body, altering painful sensations.
Research has shown the infusions of anesthetic medications can reduce or eliminate pain for people with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or conditions such as neuralgia, post herpetic pain, chronic diabetic neuropathy, vascular headaches, centralized pain, or widespread pain.
For intravenous anesthetic medications for mood and pain:
This treatment is done in-clinic under the constant monitor of nurses and doctors. The infusion is delivered via a catheter in a vein in the arm or hand.
For subcutaneous lidocaine infusions: This treatment is started in-clinic, but you do not have to stay in the clinic after it is started. The infusion is delivered via a catheter in the abdomen just under the skin.
Risks depend on what type of infusion you are having. Your infusion doctor will discuss these risks with you.
Mild-side effects may include:
Slight drowsiness, hypertension, headache, light-headedness, nausea, slight metallic taste, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, tingling around the mouth.
Moderate side effects may include:
Marked sleepiness, nightmares, dizziness, confusion, restlessness, vomiting
Very Rare: dissociate symptoms.
Severe risks include may:
Allergic reaction. Very Rare: Seizure and heart rhythm disturbances.
Rarely, patients can get an infection at the catheter site. Symptoms might include bleeding, redness, swelling or pain at the site.
Please contact our Private Pay Services Coordinator
Call 604-566-9101, ext. 105 or
Email privateservices@changepain.ca
GALLERY
