Posted by BobG (192.212.253.8) on June 05, 2000 at 20:47:12:
In Reply to: occipital nerve block posted by Kim Huskey on June 05, 2000 at 16:15:59:
Thanks for being such a great support for Rusty. It sounds to me, and this is only my opinion, that Rusty may be suffering 4 seperate problems. 1. Back pain 2. Dental problems 3. Cluster headaches 4. a pain management specialist. Let's take them one at a time.
First the back pain...the only connection I can see with the back pain and clusters may be that when the clusters attack, Rusty may be trying to compensate for the head pain by turning or twisting his body in such a way as to aggrivate the back problem, thus them seem to be connected but are really 2 seperate problems.
Next the dental problem....please see the discussion futher down the page "Cluster Headaches Dental Links" started by Paul 06-03-00. Good points brought out there. Many clusterheads get pain in and around the gums/teeth but it does not mean the teeth are at fault.
Now to the Clusters....it sounds like he in fact suffers from clusters but is trying to treat it a common headache pain. Believe me, pain medication will not work on clusters and may make them worse. Rusty needs a neurologist familiar with clusters to prescribe him drugs that are affective for clusters. See the information buttons on the left side of the screen for cluster meds.
And on to the pain management specialist...If that "Specialist" thinks that an occipital nerve block is going to stop a cluster attack/cycle then he's just pain nuts. Rusty must find a good GP or Neurologist that is knowledgeable in the fight against clusters.