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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Nerve Blocks
        
(Message started by: imacane on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 1:11am)

Title: Nerve Blocks
Post by imacane on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 1:11am

Hi, I'm new to the site. Suffering 9 yrs. was chronic for first 7 with 2-4/day, now I seem to have caught a break and am having seasonal episodes. Imitrex/O2 seem to be the key. As you all can relate, I'm in a bad way now, maxed out on injections and am having rebounds from the O2. The Neuro has recommended occipital nerve block or sphenopalatine ganglion block as preventitive measure. I can't find enough info on the proceedures, any info, successes or failures out there. You help would be most appreciated. Thankyou

Title: Re: Nerve Blocks
Post by Mr. Happy on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 1:26am

Nerve blocks don't seem to be a big huhu. Local injection, works or it doesn't. Placement may be everything. I dunno.
It's not like having nerve ganglions severed or fried.
There's a success rate, a failure rate, and a no vote rate.

Haven't had to go that route.
Yet.
RJ

Title: Re: Nerve Blocks
Post by Jasmyn on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 1:27am

Hi, Imacane.

I don't think it is the O2 giving you rebounds might be more due to the trex.

Look on the left and try the "Imitrex tip" it works and you will use less, so it will last longer.

Under "medical info" you will find at the bottom invasive procedures, read that.

There are also various links that will assist you.

Read, read and read more before going to something so drastic. First try the stuff that works for most.

Hang in there, this is the best place to find help and support.

Jas ;)

Title: Re: Nerve Blocks
Post by unsolved1 on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 8:13am

I've had both a sphenopalatine and an Occipital nerve block(s). The very first Occipital block brought me 17 days pain free. Each additional time I tried it it failed. The Sphenopalatine made me worse. (INcrease in frequency and severity or hits), not to mention it was a torturous procedure.

Goodluck

UNsolved

Title: Re: Nerve Blocks
Post by Gator on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 9:15am

Welcome to the website. Sorry to hear you're being hit again.

There's plenty of posts about nerve block experiences here. Do a search for nerve blocks.

I tried the Occipital Nerve Block - no go here. Haven't tried the sphenopalatine and from what I've read - don't want to. I've got crappy insurance, so its too damn expensive for me to try it again anyways. Not enough bang for the buck.

Read all the info in the links to the left, in the message board threads and on the OUCH website.

I've sent you a few more links to your inbox. Check you r messages in the upper right corner of the screen.

Again, welcome and good luck.

Mike

Title: Re: Nerve Blocks
Post by hoosierdaddy on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 6:17pm

Imacane,
I had two nerve blocks last year and I got 6 months PF. I am having another on Monday and I will post on her eto let you know.
Have you tried a prednisone taper yet? I am mostly PF on prednisone but the day I run out its dance fever all over again.
Good luck
Greg

Title: Re: Nerve Blocks
Post by Jonny on Nov 11^th, 2005, 9:55pm

on 11/03/05 at 01:27:29, Jasmyn wrote:

I don't think it is the O2 giving you rebounds might be more due to the trex.

This is the most important point in this thread!

02 will NEVER give you rebounds.....Trex WILL give most people rebounds.

If you even take one third of a shot of Trex you can count on 2 more HA's because of it.

Try Zomig, its a triptan like Trex but with a half life far better.

Title: Re: Nerve Blocks
Post by pubgirl on Nov 11^th, 2005, 10:07pm

on 11/03/05 at 01:11:57, imacane wrote:

Imacane

For what its worth as an 02 user, I don't get rebounds as such, but if I come off the 02 too quickly after the pain has gone, it comes back again later.
What works best for me is to drop the flow rate right back after the pain has been aborted and stay breathing the 02 gently and easily for a few more minutes.

Maybe worth a try?

Another option I use sometimes is to take a Frova or Zomig pill at the same time as I use the 02 and that often seems to block attacks for a few hours. I do this when I'm getting exhausted and trying to buy myself some PF time to sleep.

Nerve blocks and any kind of surgery are usually a last resort when all else has been tried kind of thing

Wendy

Title: Re: Nerve Blocks
Post by Dave_Emond on Nov 12^th, 2005, 5:02am

Hi Imacane,
I expect I'll be going in sometime this week for my first nerve blocks. Already had new MRI's of my neck for prep.
I don't know what to expect, but at this point am willing to try anything. I was episodic for 4 years and I've now been chronic for the past 6 years. Haven't had a pain free day in those 6 years, so if I can get even a few days or weeks PF, I'll chance it.
Will let you know how it goes,
Dave

Title: Re: Nerve Blocks
Post by imacane on Nov 12^th, 2005, 2:09pm

Thanks for all your help, maybe the rebounds aren't from the O2 and from the Trex. After reading all the threads I've decided against the block for now and will try more effective use of O2 and am going to try Kudzu even though i take Verapamil and Zonagram. More questions, when I first start with the O2 the pain intensifies greatly for 2-5 minutes before the pain starts to taper back down... is this common? Also, The Nuro is limiting me to 2 Trex injections per week though I'm sick 4-5X/night, is he just being cautious?

Title: Re: Nerve Blocks
Post by Dave_Emond on Nov 12^th, 2005, 4:50pm

on 11/12/05 at 14:09:33, imacane wrote:

Also, The Nuro is limiting me to 2 Trex injections per week though I'm sick 4-5X/night, is he just being cautious?

You have a weak heart? One area I've been fortunate in is that my heart has always been very strong. My Neuro even allowed me 2 shots of Imitrex per day, helped for a while, but soon became worthless.
Sounds overly cautious to me, but then again, depending on your heart he could be protecting you.
Imitrex is not something to screw around with, ask your doc straightout why the low dosage ... may be a reason.
Dave

Title: Re: Nerve Blocks
Post by Jill on Nov 12^th, 2005, 6:39pm

Hey,

I wanted to add something about the occipital nerve block as this is something that I am working to get done and something that I have talked to Dr. Rosen about. The Jefferson Headache Clinic recommended it when I saw them... and Dr. Rosen still does.

I am trying to remember what he told me - he also talked about this at the convention this year. Evidently, the nerve that they would block is in the back of the head but it does control what happens in the front of the head. (Did that make sense??) He said that it is safe with minimal risk and, if it works, can be repeated when needed - he told me in about a month or so.

As for it being used for CH - as far as I know, there havent been any trials per say but it has been done on patients especially at Jefferson. He said that it was something that is worth trying - especially, as in my case, when medications dont work. From what I understood, it is something that works well for CH'ers though the amount of pain free time in between may become shorter.. guess that part depends on the person.

The problem that I have had is finding someone to do it - my insurance would take Jefferson and some doctors claim that because they would be doing the nerve in the back of the head and my pain was in the front that it was pointless.. bull if you ask me. My neuro now is in the process of referring me to an anethiosologist (cant spell that) as they have to do it.

I am sorry if some of this doesnt make sense or was written before - I could not read everything as I am shadowing too hard but I wanted to write this. Hopefully it makes sense... :-/

Hope that this helps some and good luck!

Jill

Title: Re: Nerve Blocks
Post by pubgirl on Nov 12^th, 2005, 10:38pm

on 11/12/05 at 14:09:33, imacane wrote:

More questions, when I first start with the O2 the pain intensifies greatly for 2-5 minutes before the pain starts to taper back down... is this common?

I often find the same Imacane. I explain it to myself like this (but this is not a doctor talking, just how it seems to me)

The way the 02 works is to oversaturate the body with 02 so that the brain reacts and vasoconstricts to stop it. This is why we use at such a high flow rate and saturation and low flow rates don't work. My take on the intensification of the pain sometimes is that actually until the brain "kicks in" and reacts and constricts, the extra 02 in my blood stream is probably dilating the vessels EVEN MORE! I may be VERY wrong here, but this is how I have explained it to myself.

Another thing to try to make your 02 therapy more effective, get hold of one of Ben Khan's clustermasxs, it makes a huge difference to the speed I can abort my attacks and used lots less 02.

Wendy

Title: Re: Nerve Blocks
Post by Dave_Emond on Nov 14^th, 2005, 4:26pm

Jill, Brian and others who may be interested,
I'm going to log day-by-day everything that has anything to do with these nerve block procedures.
The C2 and C3 nerves come out of the spinal cord at the back of the neck and contol nerve pathways through the head ... mostly the front.
Jill wrote:

Quote:

and some doctors claim that because they would be doing the nerve in the back of the head and my pain was in the front that it was pointless.. bull if you ask me.

Bull is right! That's just plain ridiculous! Where'd they go to school I wonder?
Here's one link that may help:
http://home.earthlink.net/~pnemanic/nemanicchiropractic/id8.html
Bring up the "3D Spine Simulator" and click on C2 and then C3. From this site I learned that the C2 nerves and pathway are much more involed than the C3.
I'm still waiting for the call to go in for this procedure and as far as I know right now my Medicare will cover partial, all but 20% I believe. Now ... I'm still a bit afraid of what 20% might mean, no idea yet on the price. But, I've got to try anything .... anything!
Will keep everyone updated on all areas of this procedure,
Dave