Hi Ya'll
Now they're talking about doing a nerve block. Any body tried it? My husband is going on four months.  

Thanks,
Lizzzz

Lots of people had.

It works for some, for others it has no effect.

It also depends on what nerve it's being done on. If it's the occipital nerve block, it will only work if you are actually having problems with the occipital nerve, according to my neuro. I hope y'all find some kind of relief soon.

i tried it and it is expensive and i had a hit 3 hours later, so for me its a no go

I had nerve blocks on both sides for occipital neuralgia and it did help for that.  It didn't help physically with the ch but it helped emotionally by not having to deal with the other headache also.

Good luck.

Charlotte

I've had it done twice, both in Oct. 2008. 10/2 pain free 14 hours, 10/23 pain free 16 hours.

The injections are not that bad considering. I did it twice. They are given behind the ears. Some people get months and more of relief.

Good Luck, Don

I have reported extensively about the subject, you can find the info under:

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

(Cluster Headache Help and support
Medications, Treatments, Therapies
Name: Suboccipital injection.
Link to old Message Board)

and:

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

(New Board, Cluster Headache Help and support
Medications, Treatments, Therapies
Name: Suboccipital injection.)


Michael

I am pleased to have Peter Goadsby as my Doc now.  Regarding the greater occipital nerve block, he claims that one third of CH patients have their episodes completely stopped, one third have no effect, and one third have a temporary hiatus of 2-4 weeks of attacks.  Of this latter group, once the headaches return, the duration of the episode is still reduced by the number of days/weeks the patient has been headache free.  I.e., you don't start your cluster episode from square one.  I met with him after 7 weeks of headaches.  He recommends that I wait until the beginning of the next headache period in a year or so, and then try the nerve block.  Also, if you read the article he and others published in 2006, the odds are better for CH sufferers if they experience tenderness in the scalp region above the greater occipital nerve.  I do have some of this tenderness on the top of my head where the nerve passes, so I might be a good candidate for this reason.

I had an occipital nerve block about 18 months ago.

About an hour after the injections I had a big attack. I'm not saying it caused it but needless to say I have not had another. ( Nerve block that is)

When I went back for the follow up I explained what happened and the Dr from the Pain Management office politely explained there was nothing else they could do and showed me the door.

One thing I have learned is that there are always things to try, things to do.  I think it's shameful that they "showed you the door."  Not a pain clinic I would want to patronize! >:(

I've had the sphenopalatine ganglion blocks done with lidocaine in the past. They are very non-invasive and pain free (no needles). They worked for me; however, I was also started on verapamil and indomethacin at the same time. Now I'm pregnant and can't take the oral meds, but I'm going to start the SPG blocks again. I hope it works on its own...
good luck to your husband. I hope he gets a treatment that works for him.