I just got off the phone with my neurologist.  I have an appointment next Friday to have the Occipital Nerve Blockage performed.  I hope this helps.  Has anyone else had this done?

Thought you posted on your plea of suicide thread of yours that you have no medical insurance!?

Occipital nerve blockage is quite an extreme treatment compared to just increasing your Verapamil dosage.

You might consider a 2nd opinion from a headache specialist.

Hmmm... ::)

-Gregg in Las Vegas

I did have it done about two months ago. I expected nothing but instead I've been pain free or a little over eight weeks. But Gregg is right about its cost: mine came in at a little over $1700. Good luck with this, and God bless. lance

I have a friend who is chronic and he's had some success with this treatment.

I've had it done.

Alas, it did nothing for me except give me a numb upper neck and lower back of head.

I do know, that others have received some relief.

B.Baer wrote on Oct 18^th, 2012 at 11:54pm:

I've had it done. Alas, it did nothing for me except give me a numb upper neck and lower back of head. I do know, that others have received some relief.

May I ask what you do for pain relief?  This is my biggest problem right now.  I'm all for trying new treatments, but at this point the cycle hasn't ended since August.  Too many ER visits and doctor appointments in the past few months.  I'm working on O2 treatments, Verapamil and Topamax.  Well unless you count Fiorcet but they're worthless.

Ed,

Sorry, for the late response.

I too have tried Depakote, Topamax, Verapamil, Lithium...ad nauseum....  :D ... as well as some others over the years...  did not help much in my case. I've been episodic for about 20 years.

Abortive of choice is high flow O2 via demand valve.  My go to when in cycle. I've not touched the Imitrex in years. O2 in high flow works very well for me, thank goodness.

I've also had amazing results with the D-3 regime as recommended by Batch. Very inexpensive and worked amazingly well for me. He's def. on to something.

I wish you well in your battle, keep the faith and best of luck.

Continue to read all you can and find what works for you. I know how frustrating it is, believe me, we all do.

Baer

I abort 97% of my attacks with high flow O2'

DHE-45 IM injections work for me.

Preventatives:

Verapamil 480mg/day.
Lithium     600mg/day 900mg at times.
Topamax  275mg/day, helped a little.
Vitamin D3 10,000 IU/day. Higher at times.

Oxygen is my life saver, it works faster than any other treatment and is way faster than any pill.

I've had CH for 24 yrs and O2 is the best thing that has ever happened for my attacks. I know many other folks agree.

Don

Skyhawk5 wrote on Oct 26^th, 2012 at 12:32am:

I abort 97% of my attacks with high flow O2' Oxygen is my life saver, it works faster than any other treatment and is way faster than any pill. I've had CH for 24 yrs and O2 is the best thing that has ever happened for my attacks. I know many other folks agree. Don

I certainly agree... 37 years experience here.
ClusterEd,
Tired of hearing about it yet?
Only one way to make it stop. :-?