Migraine

And would you like cream or sugar with that? Sorry, I got tickled at my own title, there.

I've been having neuralgia headaches (in the occipital nerves in the back of my neck, shooting up over my head and around in the classic "ram's horn" pattern, or just landing on top, front, side of my head, wherever they decide to go), in addition to my migraines, and my neurologist assigned me to a pain management doctor who has given me a round of steroid shots in the area at the base of my skull near those nerves. I'm wondering if anyone else here has had these? Is this the same as a "nerve block"?

I've got to get another round on the 21st (a little over a week), and I'm really dreading it because, not only is it just not fun and it HURTS, but I felt like (insert bad word of your choice here) for a couple of weeks afterward.

So, I'm just wondering if anyone else has ON, and if so ... what are you doing for it? How are you surviving with it? Commiseration, advice, whatever would be lovely.

Thanks!

SN

SN,

I love your descriptions!

Nerve blocks usually use steroids and a long-acting form of xylocaine, if I remember right. I've had them in my back and hip - trigger points & arthritis. (Broke my left sacroiliac joint about 27 years ago, & didn't know I'd done it until about 5 years ago when I finally had it x-rayed.)

My former neurologist called my "ram's horn headaches" migraines. Now you know one of the reasons why I fired his sorry endus rearus!

Rebecca

Hi StrangelyNormal,

"Occipital neuralgia (ON) is a chronic pain disorder caused by irritation or injury to the occipital nerve, or surrounding area, located in the back of the scalp. Individuals with the disorder experience pain originating at the nape of the neck. The pain, often described as throbbing and migraine-like, spreads up and around the forehead and scalp. Occipital neuralgia can result from physical stress, trauma, or repeated contraction of the muscles of the neck." This is a quote from one of our Ask the Clinician questions, Information on occipital neuralgia?

Have you tried phsyical therapy for your neck? Sometimes that is helpful. Seeing a Migraine or Headache Specialists to confirm this diagnosis would be a great idea. This is the doctor who is an expert in Migraine disease and headache and can really help you.

quote:

Originally posted by StrangelyNormal:
So, I'm just wondering if anyone else has ON, and if so ... what are you doing for it? How are you surviving with it? Commiseration, advice, whatever would be lovely.

Thanks!

SN

Okay, commiseration, I can provide! I'm sitting here with ice packs on my neck and shoulders to reduce the swelling that otherwise come with the blocks.

I have ON as well as migraines as well... As my HA specialist put it, "Aren't you lucky, Jamie- another diagnosis code for you." But, I am lucky in that with this Dx, my insurance picks up the blocks. Otherwise- I've heard that my insurance company is a bit squirrely about the cost.

Since the blocks work, we're working up to getting the insurance company to the point where they'll happily authorize longer lasting stuff- like botox... since I need LOTS of shots- they see lots of dollars and go Um... and then... "Hmm.... expensive. But, if they pay for these enough, they'll wind up paying more than the botox. I think it's actually 2 or 3 more times this year (Year started in July) until that point hits. So- by Thanksgiving or Christmas, I estimate they'll be actually approving my pre-auth for the botox at 100% Meanwhile, these work well, and to tell you the truth... I'm a little "meh" about the botox. So... it's a marriage of convienance between my insurance company and my feelings of what having that numbed will be like...Yeah... I know it's great for some people. I hope it'll work for me.

Anyhow. Just wanted to drop a line to say hi!

Nope, no Occipital Neuralgia here, so I can't request the cream or sugar with that, or even fries with that.

But I can and do feel for you as you're trying to get all this settled out. I wish I had some wisdom to top it all off with, but I don't. I do have hugs though...

quote:

Originally posted by dragondroolHOST:
Nope, no Occipital Neuralgia here, so I can't request the cream or sugar with that, or even fries with that.

I'd be more than happy to share my fries- long distance of course,...but obviously, I'm going to be "selfish" and not share the ON, of course!

quote:

But I can and do feel for you as you're trying to get all this settled out. I wish I had some wisdom to top it all off with, but I don't. I do have hugs though...

I'm always more than happy to get in on those. Slept precious little from a steriod ladden-nerve block done yesterday. (one reason why botox is looking more than No steroid, and longer lasting.) So, while even the current blocks, which are like ambrosia for the ON, it would sure be nice to just do the pain thing once in a long time and also not become sleepless-in-north carolina jamie, despite all the meds I have to throw at insomnia after each block.

Yesterday, the sleeplessness was useful, as we had some of the remains of Hurricaine Humberto came through here, and the NOAA radio was broadcasting watches/warnings all night...Confirmed tornado sightings in almost every county around here but mine.
But, I'm tired. And I know I'm not gonna sleep...so... I guess I'm up for the day at the fine hour of 7:20am EDT
6:30am EDT
6 am EDT. I remember last looking at the clock at 5am EDT. Could it be? An hour of sleep?

ok, ranting now. time to move along to be helpful instead of throwing myself a pity party.

many hugs,

Strangely,

I can empathize. I hate needles, but right now I am dying for one to be stuck in the back of my head, neck or shoulder no less. Unfortunately it is two weeks before I can get in to see my doctor. So it is flexmid and vicodin for me. As far as insurance goes, my first injection was not covered. When I told my Dr. he said, "Well we will just have to code it differently."

I am benefiting from misfortune in the lives of others. My doctor's son suffers severe, blinding migraines so my doctor stays studied up. He is familiar with the philosophies and practices of the Diamond Health Clinic and does not believe in just "Suffering through it." He has even voluntarily told me that if we reach the point where he could not help, he would refer me to pain management or any other appropriate specialists. So far we have mostly managed my problems as long as I stay on my meds and don't do stupid things like pick up my motorcycle wrong.

I am praying for you and again, I think I can say I too understand.

P.S.: I dont't know if my nerve shots are steroidal-I don't think they are. I do know that one of the ingredients of my cocktail shot is kenalogg (sp?). I do know that they hurt like a distaff portion of the canine family though.

Hi, Merritt459! Welcome to the forum family! We look forward to getting to know you.

Sorry I haven't followed up on this thread. Fortunately, the second block seems to have taken care of the worst of the problem for me. (Notice I said "seems to have".) I still get some pain back there, but it's not the debilitating, please-God-let-me-die-now kind.

I'm going back to the pain mgt. clinic in a couple of weeks for followup, so will see what they say.

My big problem now seems to be with hormone migraines. I'm thinking of contacting the vet for a spay/neuter (never know which one of those is for the female) job ...

My migraines often start in the occipital area. That area swells on me really bad that I get huge knots on both sides in that area. I used to get shots in the occipital area for years back in the 90's. They were cortizone/steroid shots I believe. They helped some with the pain but after a while my body became immune to them and they no longer worked so I stopped getting them. There was a time back then when that area hurt 24/7 and I couldn't get any relief. I eventually found relief through acupuncture. Acupuncture stopped the constant pain. Now, I still get pain and it often results in migraines but I don't have the 24/7 pain like I did back then.