Welcome, Guest. Please Login or Register
Clusterheadaches.com
 
Search box updated Dec 3, 2011... Search ch.com with Google!
  HomeHelpSearchLoginRegisterEvent CalendarBirthday List  
 





Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print
Update on SPG Block (Read 2629 times)
ariel
CH.com Junior
**
Offline


I Love CH.com!


Posts: 83
Long Island new York
Gender: female
Update on SPG Block
Aug 29th, 2012 at 1:21pm
 
Hi everyone. I wanted to give a quick update on the 2 procedures I had done. The doctor who did them is a nuerosurgeon in NYC. I was put to sleep and he uses a small scope with a camera, goes all the way up the nose and injects a steroid into the ganglion of the spg nerve. I was told that even if the pain doesn't originate from there, it is still a pain pathway and they have been seeing good results. It seemed to work for me, except it only lasted about 2 weeks. The couple of headaches I had were milder. He then repeated the procedure about a week ago and used more steroid (he called it being more aggressive as well). I am waiting to see how long this will last. I've been lowering my prednisone, am now at 5 mg a day, but need to be cautious at this point since I've taken it for so long. The Dr. also said if this 2nd procedure works well but only lasts a short time again, he can go in the same way and zap the ganglion for a more permanent result. However, he is hoping this last one will bring on a long remission and he won't have to zap it. He said some people develop a near-consant runny nose (one side) after getting that done. Not everyone, but some people. I will say that the procedure itself is easy, no pain even upon waking (except when they yanked out the huge gauze pad that was waaaay up my nose (i had some bleeding the 2nd time). If anyone wants more info I can give you his details. I still don't know 100% if it worked, but I will say I am optimistic. I'll know better in about a week or two then give another update. Hope everyone is well.
Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
Batch
CH.com Alumnus
***
Offline


Control The Beast With
O2 & D3 You Must


Posts: 3706
Bremerton, WA
Gender: male
Re: Update on SPG Block
Reply #1 - Aug 29th, 2012 at 3:09pm
 
Ariel,

I'm happy to hear the sphenopalatine ganglia block brought you some relief...

The only thing that raised the hair on the back of my neck was use of the term "zap..."  That's an all to casual euphemism for "kill."

In other words...  zapping the sphenopalatine ganglion means killing it permanently. 

Are you still taking the vitamin D3 regimen?  If so, at what dose... and have you had your 25(OH)D serum concentration checked?  Nearly all the CH'ers who have found this regimen effective in preventing their CH have tested for serum 25(OH)D in a range of 60 to 110 ng/mL

Have you added vitamin A to the above regimen?  It appears vitamin A (retinol) is essential for the peripheral metabolism of vitamin D3 that may be responsible for it's cluster headache preventative effect.

Being an old fogy...  I take a Centrum Silver multi-vitamin tablet as it contains sufficient vitamin A along with vitamin K and some of the other cofactors.

Take care,

V/R, Batch
Back to top
  

You love lots of things if you live around them. But there isn't any woman and there isn't any horse, that’s as lovely as a great airplane. If it's a beautiful fighter, your heart will be ever there
pete_batcheller  
IP Logged
 
ttnolan
CH.com Veteran
***
Offline


beats me


Posts: 247
Scotts Valley, CA
Gender: male
Re: Update on SPG Block
Reply #2 - Aug 29th, 2012 at 11:34pm
 
ZAP - I would consider that to be a last resort... very few success stories on that path. I know you said busting would be a last resort, maybe time to reconsider what should be last.
Just my two cents.
Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
Brew
CH.com Sponsor
CH.com Alumnus
***
Offline




Posts: 14163
Re: Update on SPG Block
Reply #3 - Aug 29th, 2012 at 11:46pm
 
ttnolan wrote on Aug 29th, 2012 at 11:34pm:
ZAP - I would consider that to be a last resort... very few success stories on that path. I know you said busting would be a last resort, maybe time to reconsider what should be last.
Just my two cents.

Amen.

Well, busting and high doses of vitamin D3.
Back to top
  

"I have been asked if I have changed in these past 25 years. No, I am the same. Only more so."  --Ayn Rand
 
IP Logged
 
ilshapira
Ex Member



Re: Update on SPG Block
Reply #4 - Nov 24th, 2017 at 10:00pm
 
Look into the BNS-40 ULF-TENS from Myotronics that has a 50 year safety record in neuromuscular dentisty.  It relaxes trigeminal and facial nerve innervated muscles but also acts as stim to Sphenopalatine Ganglion.  Suprazygomatic injections into pterygopalatine fossa is most effect method of injecting SPG but trans-nasal cotton tipped catheters are most effective method of SPG Blocks.  Use lidocaine with no epinephrine or preservatives, no steroids.  The key is self administration.  This allows you to learn procedure but it can then be done for about $1.00 per bilateral application.  Usually best to start with twice a day for a minimum of 20 minutes but can be kept in for hours.  Properly places it is a continuous capillay feen , no need to stay on your back.  If you cannot manage cotton tipped cathetes try Sphenocath or Allevio.  Can still be self administered. Device is expensive $75.00 but for self administration it can be reused.   The key is self administration minimum twice a day for 2 weeks than once a day gradually cutting back.
Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print

DISCLAIMER: All information contained on this web site is for informational purposes only.  It is in no way intended to be used as a replacement for professional medical treatment.   clusterheadaches.com makes no claims as to the scientific/clinical validity of the information on this site OR to that of the information linked to from this site.  All information taken from the internet should be discussed with a medical professional!