It went well, no ha's today...but felt real off balance walking out of the office.  Will keep you all updated on success or not.  Doc also put me on Vimpat as a preventative (lacosamide) has any one used this?  Side effects, dosages.  Thanks all

Steve

It's an anti-convulsant. Never heard of it being used to treat CH.

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Keeping you in our prayers, hoping for the best! Please keep us updated.

Joe

Thanks for the reply guys....thats the only info I got on it also.  I was hoping that someone on here has tried it.  Mabey I'll report back some breakthrough news!!  LOL :D

fairly new med on the market as far as I understand.
anticonvulsant - used for epilepsy and particularly for partial seizures.

works by enhancing slow inactivation of sodium channels - it stabilizes neuronal membranes and inhibits repetitive firing.

never heard of it used for CH but some of the other anticonvulsants such as gabapentin (neurontin) and topiramate (topamax) are used for CH as an off-label therapy, so this may be what your dr. is thinking about...

some side effects - in some people, it may promote suicidal thoughts - particularly in people with a history of suicidical thoughts and/or depression (rare effect).  Also, shouldn't be used in people with a history or cardiac conduction abnormalities (arrhythmias)

Hope this helps!  Don't know anyone who has used it for CH - please keep us updated on how you do!
:)

Ocular nerve block is on my list (way down the bottom, but on the list) if the CHs remain intractable. Let us know how it goes, OK? blessings for a pf day and night, and day and night, and....lance

blessings for a pf day and night, and day and night, and....day and night...

RX To be repeated as needed! ;D

Joe

No limits on refills either!

Jerry

We are talking about an occipital nerve block here, right?

According to dictionary.com:

ocular

–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, or for the eyes: ocular movements.
2. of the nature of an eye: an ocular organ.
3. performed or perceived by the eye or eyesight.

---

occipital

bone forming the back and back part of the base of the cranium, the part of the skull that encloses the brain. It has a large oval opening, the foramen magnum, through which the medulla oblongata passes, linking the spinal cord and brain. The occipital adjoins five of the other seven bones forming the cranium

---

Occulat
- no dictionary results

Thanks to everyone for the repilies... I've been getting hit but not nearly as much as I was a week ago.  Mabey 1 a day now and only at bedtime.  As opposed to 3-4 a day.   ;D  And as it was explained to me it is a Occipital Nerve Block (oops I did spell it wrong...sry all).  One local injection in the back of neck, then a series of 3 injections with a cocktail of lidocane and steriod.  Yeaah it's about as fun as it sounds.  My neck is still sore!

Thanks for the info on Vimpat Lettuce!  All seems to be going well with that also.  No Dopeamax side effects so far.  Just a little zoney about an hour after I pop it. 

"Occipital Nerve Blockade" or ONB

Shot felt strange.  No pain in normal spots but didn't stop the
other symptoms that happen if I don't hit the {Imitrex}shot
fast enough.

That nasty pain at back of neck was gone  as was eye for a
week.  But that is my signal when to shoot!

Worth a try though.

If you have questions about it ask away.

Peace.

Just got the shots in the head again.

No side effects for me.  Felt funny.

Side of head is a bit numb but I can deal with that.

If anything comes up I'll let you know.  Have questions ask me.

Peace all!

Update:

So Far So Good.

No Pain Visits yet.  My stomach did get queasy a bit, that
seems to tell me I would have had the old visitor but I
wasn't home.  ;D 

Good to hear, Boski, I got mine about 3 wks ago now and in my opinion it did not work.   :(  I got hit that night and have pretty much been on the same schedule with Ha's as before the injections.  Good luck and keep us updated with your results. 
Steve

Thanks Plaeglass:

Think it's partially due to topomax and verap getting to a
level that is helping too.  Last one I was on Prd and was
having some breake tru's.

Thanks for the good wishes.  Hope I'll sleep tonight. Will report in AM.

So, sorry your still having bad ch attacks everyday, I feel your pain.

Hey Plateglass:

My nero got mad at me cause while she was on vacation I
came in, in major pain coming off the pred.  Just
unbearable pain and I wouldn't take the Block shot again
and the other Doc was begging me, she almost had tears in
her eyes saying please let me help you. I refused and
suffered for another week shooting shot after shot of
imitrex that she really doesn't like me doing since I passed
the ripe old age of 40.  She explained it sometimes takes
more than once to work. So, I agreed to try because I keep
telling people I'll try anything to get rid of this and here I
was turning away a possible solution. I was thinking maybe
I'm being a pig head, try it again it wasn't that bad and it
helped a bit.  When My regular Doc came back from
vacation and said I really wish you would have taken the
block and I can squeeze you in on Monday for it. I said ok
your the Boss.  I did it as you can see above and I got
some much needed sleep.  So far no ch hits yahoooooo! 
See if it holds out.  I am on Dope-o-max and Verap too.
Ok hope everyone is hangin in! 

Peace to all!

I had a occipital block done a few years back, at that time it took only one injection and they were gone for 13 mths (I was chronic for 6+years), when they returned, did it 3 times with no relief.  Opted for a different treatment that lasted 2 1/2yrs, but they recently returned so I just had another today, will see if it helps, the Neuro had a pain management doctor do it and they added more steroid this time AND they said there is a Great Occiptal Nerve and  a Lesser Occipital Nerve, so they did both.  Almost feels like I have a helmet over the right side of my head, but heck, NO pain as if yet.  Will let you know how things go, scheduled to go back in 2 weeks to repeat if necessary.

I did a 2nd one and it did help again! But just for a few days
for me.  But, I got some much needed sleep!  Worth it for the
sleep!   Hadn't really slept for weeks, just cat naps.

I've said it before, when in high cycle, it's amazing what a blessing a few good nights sleep in a row can be!

Joe

I'd be happy with ONE good nights sleep in a row!

Jerry

No! SH@@T Jerry I hear ya!

Just 1 good night with no worry of that thing coming to mess
with that wonderful sleep.  Oh, the days of sleep! One day
soon they will return, I hope! 

Boski

Hello, had a ONB about 2 years ago with absolutely outstanding results. In about one week, the headaches were gone and I weaned off other preventives. I too, felt disoriented afterwards and actually slept in the Dr,s office for a few hours.  Cycle is back and had another ONB, with poor result. However, it was a different Dr. who applied....had two baseball sized lumps on base of my neck - not like the last time. Found the original Dr. and trying to see him for another ONB...I think that is the difference and may also be why it doesn't work for some.

I'm glad the block worked the first time for you.  Hope you find the doc again who got the needle in the right place!! Good luck

Steve

bruce-ohio wrote on Aug 25^th, 2010 at 4:30pm:

However, it was a different Dr. who applied....had two baseball sized lumps on base of my neck - not like the last time. Found the original Dr. and trying to see him for another ONB...I think that is the difference and may also be why it doesn't work for some.

That's scary. lance

the bumps will go.  Just fluid.  Nothing to worry about.

I had some good lumps too.  Looked like the Doc. hit me with
a bat..   :D
Takes a day or so to go.

I agree, Placement is key!

Boski