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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Occipital nerve block
        
(Message started by: FramCire on Sep 15^th, 2006, 11:29am)

Title: Occipital nerve block
Post by FramCire on Sep 15^th, 2006, 11:29am

Has anyone tried this. I might be going it for one today and never even heard of it for help with clusters.

Title: Re: Occipital nerve block
Post by lashultz on Sep 15^th, 2006, 12:17pm

I have had a nerve block shot twice. I don't know if it was an optical nerve block or not. Whatever it was. I did not notice much relief. Hope it works for you.

Lee

Title: Re: Occipital nerve block
Post by taraann on Sep 15^th, 2006, 6:30pm

I have. First time (when I was episodic) didn't do a thing but make part of my head feel kind of numb. The second time I was on DHE treatments, had been in the hospital for 2 weeks, then I had another occipital nerve block. That day I started a little break from my by then chronic CH. Not sure to this day if it was the block, the DHE, or coincidence. My opinion, its worth the shot!

Title: Re: Occipital nerve block
Post by unsolved1 on Sep 15^th, 2006, 8:26pm

It was probably the DHE that helped tarann. I don't believe that an Occipital block would help most sufferers, but that's not always true. They say, if it works, it usually brings relief for about an average of 13 - 17 days. But the keyword there is "if".

I've had numerous blocks, including 7 bi-lateral Occipital nerve blocks. The first one was done @ MHNI (by Dr. Taylor, who is no longer there) and it worked for about 16 days or so. (Completely PF) All the rest of the tries failed. (All the ones that failed were done by different docs too). IMO ... ON blocks are like real estate ... "Location, Location, Location". If it's done right, it may work with little or no pain. If it's done wrong, it's gonna hurt a bit and not stop the headaches.

It's definately worth the 'shot' though ! ;)

Goodluck

UNsolved

PS. This can be done at an experienced neuro's office or at a pain clinic. It only takes a few seconds and you're good to go.

Title: Re: Occipital nerve block
Post by Pethog on Sep 16^th, 2006, 2:50am

My fiancee had one two weeks ago and it worked. . . but only for two days. Those were a glorious two days, though!!!

Title: Re: Occipital nerve block
Post by zuesthedog on Sep 21^st, 2006, 12:32pm

I have had occipital and trigenminal blocks. my biggest problem with them was that they are done during bussiness hours and seemed to wear off by night time. Thats when my beast would come. Thats what finally led me to have the stimulators placed. Its basically like a nerve block you can turn on and off when you need it. Which again its been working great for me. PFD to all John

Title: Re: Occipital nerve block
Post by FramCire on Sep 21^st, 2006, 8:18pm

28 hours later and all I have had is a brief shadow.

Now, I also started lithium yesterday.

Anyway, I go back next week.

Title: Re: Occipital nerve block
Post by unsolved1 on Sep 21^st, 2006, 11:49pm

So you had an ON block ? If so, (a) did it hurt much ? (b) Did you hear any 'crunching' while they were inserting the needle (like cartlidge (sp) crunching) ? (c) Did it leave knots on your neck or bruising and swelling ?

The ON block that worked for me was painless and left no marks at all.

UNsolved

PS. It's not the Lithium that's giving you a break. It hasn't had enough time to get into your system yet. "Theraputic levels" could take weeks to achieve.

Title: Re: Occipital nerve block
Post by FramCire on Sep 22^nd, 2006, 8:59am

1. It hurt a little but I have had injections for my back and the ON block was nowhere near as painful.

2. I heard the doctor eating some potato chips, but that was it.... yes, I'm kidding. No crunching

3. no knots, bruising (I dont think), or swelling. I did have some soreness and such for a while.

So far, so good.