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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> sphenopalatine ganglion block
        
(Message started by: Damon on Mar 15^th, 2006, 2:46am)

Title: sphenopalatine ganglion block
Post by Damon on Mar 15^th, 2006, 2:46am

Has anyone heard anything about this treatment? My neuro is sending me for a consult with an an Anesthesiologist. I read a little about this procedure being used for mixed type ha's and migraines but not for clusters.
I am a chronic who get's CH's on both sides (75% Left 25% Right). I take 1000mgs Depakote, 900mgs Lithium and 480mgs Verapamil daily. O2 aborts 1 in 10 HA's and Trex when I can.

Thank you all very much :), I have learned a lot from all of you and it has helped out a great deal. I will relay info as I get it.
Damon

Title: Re: sphenopalatine ganglion block
Post by unsolved1 on Mar 15^th, 2006, 4:17am

Yes, I did it twice. My personal experience was that it (the procedure) was total torture. It made me FAR worse (quickly) and I ended up in the hospital again. I believe they recommend you do it 3 times. I wouldn't do the last time !

Ask your neuro / Pain specialist exactly what the procedure is like ! ( What is involved )

It involves sticking gel and LONG sticks FAR up your nostrils while you are awake and unsedated. You must sit there for awhile too :-[ . It's supposed to put medicine on the base of your brain (I think [smiley=huh.gif] )

Goodluck !

PF Wishes

UNsolved

Title: Re: sphenopalatine ganglion block
Post by Lizzie2 on Mar 15^th, 2006, 1:32pm

Oooh... Unsolved based on that description, I would definitely say no. I had my nose cauterized once when I was fully awake, and had actually been awake and in the ER all night long, without food or pain medicine.

Also then during the hemorrhage experience, had to endure a lot of suctioning while fully awake and scared out of my mind.

I would not volunteer for anything even remotely close to that ever again! haha

Damon, Have you ever had an occipital nerve block or any other type of injection? Glad you've found help since coming here! I know this place has been a life-saver for many of us!

Hugz,
Carrie :)

Title: Re: sphenopalatine ganglion block
Post by Gator on Mar 15^th, 2006, 9:19pm

I also heard it was a painful procedure, but here is an article about a way of doing it that might not be so bad.

http://www.pain-manage.org.tw/s-pain/s-pain05.htm

Here is an article on the efficacy of the Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block in Chronic CH from the American Academy of Pain Medicine:

http://aapm.confex.com/aapm/2006am/techprogram/P1246.HTM

Here is the google search I did for "sphenopalatine ganglion block" and then searched within the results for "cluster headache":

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=%22sphenopalatine+ganglion+block%22&as_q=%22cluster+headache%22&btnG=Search%C2%A0within%C2%A0results