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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Occipital Nerve Block
        
(Message started by: Bond007 on Apr 25^th, 2007, 9:38am)

Title: Occipital Nerve Block
Post by Bond007 on Apr 25^th, 2007, 9:38am

My neuro did a "double" on me yesterday. Basically, he injected me in both the right & left nerves instead of just the left where my CH attacks. How much luck has anyone had with this procedure? How long has it lasted for those of you who've tried it? 18 hours later, and I'm still "mostly" painfree. I've had a couple of VERY minor CH's pop up, but nothing warranting my dosing with much. (I'm using a highly diluted vial of Stadol NS to knock the very minor CH's on their kiester.) Also, has anyone experienced rather severe nausea even the day after the procedure? My stomach was just rolling all night long and today is no better. I did call my neuro to ask about it as well.

Oh, one more thing, has anyone found this procedure to be painful? My neuro was surprised that I didn't even flinch when he poked either side. I actually had to ask him if he was done yet. After he was finished he commented that he finally understood how much daily pain I've been in. What did that mean?

Title: Re: Occipital Nerve Block
Post by Skyhawk5 on Apr 25^th, 2007, 11:57am

Sounds like the Blocks may be working. I've never had one because I've chickened out more than once. Afraid of the switching sides thing. Your Dr. just may have that covered. Please keep us updated.

Although frowned upon, Stadol NS is a very helpful tool for me. (12 years of careful use during cycles). It is the only med we've found that prevents me from vomiting and sweating. Doesn't stop all the hits but enough.

Your Doc probably could see , sense & hear the pain radiating from you. My wife says she can. Skyhawk5

Title: Re: Occipital Nerve Block
Post by Bond007 on Apr 26^th, 2007, 1:09pm

Thanks Skyhawk5!

So far, I've had about a 70% improvement in HA's. I'll take that!!

Title: Re: Occipital Nerve Block
Post by Skyhawk5 on Apr 26^th, 2007, 4:10pm

Amen!! I'll take that number. I may need to borrow some of your courage when I finish my Pred tapper. If I can get my Dr. to do both sides. If I need it.

I've taken most all the meds out there and have found none to kill the peak cycle hits except DHE IV. Currently taking Verapamil, Lithium, Frova as a prevent with samples from the Dr. Insurance only covers 9 pills/mnth and to cover 2/day would cost me $3,000 / mnth. Ouch!

The Dr. said studies have shown this treatment to be reasonably safe. It appears to be helpful but didn't stop those 10's.

I'm very happy that you are doing better, makes me smile. Skyhawk5

Title: Re: Occipital Nerve Block
Post by pieface_49 on Apr 26^th, 2007, 11:28pm

No one wants to, how do I put it, blame anything but the hypothalamus. There are medical studies supporting the occipital nerve. The nerve that supplies the eye. http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=79726

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12230593&dopt=Abstract

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Neurology/GeneralNeurology/tb/5230

Title: Re: Occipital Nerve Block
Post by Bond007 on Apr 27^th, 2007, 10:15am

Skyhawk, I've got courage to spare, so feel free to borrow some! ;;D Good luck on getting those 10's diffused!

Sometimes insurance companies can really suck, I know. Best of luck to you brother!

I may not be in the best of places recently, but I'm here if you need someone to lean on.

Title: Re: Occipital Nerve Block
Post by Bond007 on Apr 27^th, 2007, 10:30am

Excellent (and encouraging) articles, pieface! Thanks for find them and sharing. Sadly, I easily fall into that subgroup of intractable, treatment-resistant chronic cluster headache. If going spontaneously chronic wasn't enough! Sheesh!!!

Title: Re: Occipital Nerve Block
Post by zuesthedog on Apr 27^th, 2007, 4:47pm

I VE HAD MANY NERVE BLOCKS. The problem I had with them, they were always done duringbussiness hours and wear before the late night attacks.So from there i went to the elec, stim. on the occi.nerve. That procedure really help. After about a year the stim. started to migrate abd had to be removed. So instead of putting the stim. back on the occ.the DR. decided to place the stim. on the trigenimalWell its been over a year and its work I Wish you PFDing great.

Title: Re: Occipital Nerve Block
Post by UN solved on May 6^th, 2007, 2:18am

I've also had many Occipital blocks. The very first one I had worked great for 17 days. All the rest failed. The first one didn't hurt at all ... all the rest hurt a bit and caused swelling. Maybe if it's done right it won't hurt ??

Goodluck

UNsolved

Title: Re: Occipital Nerve Block
Post by taraann on May 7^th, 2007, 7:29pm

I've had 3 (2 were done in one sitting) none of them hurt, just a bit of a pin prick and a gross noise/feeling of crunch and pop. The first one didn't work for me. The second round may have but I was having DHE treatments and was a few months into a bad flare up so to this day I am not sure if it was the block or if the beast just finally decided to give me a break (I don't think it was the DHE cause I was on it for about 2 weeks at that point) but who the heck knows)

Glad to hear you are enjoying a break!!!