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Occipital nerve block (Read 5076 times)

chopmyheadoff

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Occipital nerve block
Feb 10^th, 2015 at 9:01am

Hi all,
Im a long time chronic that mysteriously had a pain free year last year !!??

Anyway, the buggars are back with a vengeance and im currently getting hit every 3 hours day and night.

I abort with imigran and iv never had any success with any other meds except prednisolone which works every time while the dose is above 40mg a day ..

But obviously I cant stay on that long term.

I am booked in for a nerve block (never had one before) this Friday.

I was wondering - has anyone had any success from this procedure.

Thanks
Chop

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Bob Johnson

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"Only the educated are
free." -Epictetus

Posts: 5965
Kennett Square, PA (USA)
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Re: Occipital nerve block
Reply #1 - Feb 10^th, 2015 at 10:12am

This is the only report I have but it's consistent with the general tone of evaluative reports that I have seen.
--
Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2010 Jul 27.

Blocking the Greater Occipital Nerve: Utility in Headache Management.

Young WB.

Department of Neurology, Jefferson Headache Center, Thomas Jefferson University,
111 South Eleventh Street, Gibbon Building, Suite #8130, Philadelphia, PA, 19107,
USA, William.B.Young@jefferson.edu.

Occipital nerve block has been part of headache medicine for more than HALF A
CENTURY, with injection techniques and solutions varying greatly. Most studies
have been case series and many show benefit for patients with migraine, cluster
headache, and postconcussive headache. A double-blind, controlled trial of
cluster headache has demonstrated that injectable steroids with local anesthetics
benefit cluster headache patients. A double-blind, controlled trial of nerve
blocks in occipital neuralgia, which may have actually been chronic migraine, was
positive.

PMID: 20661785 [PubMed]
======
Are you being treated by a headache clinic or your local doctor? If the latter, you may wish to find a referral to a specialty headache clinic, a move which your health care allows, by-passing local docs.

Mention this because we have so many comnplaints from GB about the poor treatment from local docs reflecting the meager education which they receive in this complex area of medicine.

If you wish to investigate making such a move, contact your excellent support group.

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

« Last Edit: Feb 10^th, 2015 at 10:14am by Bob Johnson »

Bob Johnson

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chopmyheadoff

CH.com Hall of Famer

Re: Occipital nerve block
Reply #2 - Feb 10^th, 2015 at 10:40am

Hi Bob, thanks for that ..
Yes luckily enough for me im under the care of one of the leading neurologists in the UK who specialises in CH

Dr Nicolas Silver - working out of the Walton centre for neurology -
For anyone else in the UK, this guy was a lifesaver because as Bob says, it is very difficult to get taken seriously by local GP's here.

Dr Silver works closely with Prof Gaodsby and his own mother suffers from CH too !!

I will report back how the beast reacts on Friday

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Peter510

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don't give in.

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Re: Occipital nerve block
Reply #3 - Feb 10^th, 2015 at 12:26pm

Chopmyheadoff,

Back in late 2011, I attended a neurologist here in Dublin who also works closely with Prof Goadsby. We tried a number of things and the nerve block was one.

The Beast attacks my left side, so that was the side he tried first. I got relief for 4 weeks exactly( to the day). He then did the right side. It did nothing for me.

If I remember correctly, you can't have another injection for 3 months. So, not really any good at all.

That was my experience with the occipital nerve block. I was episodic back then and have been chronic since 2013.

By the way, after 13 years of looking for a solution, from acupuncture to prayer to despair, I started Batch's D3 regimen about 5 weeks ago and have had great results and it get's better each day.

Have a look at the thread "123 days pain free" on this site. It is really worth trying.

Best of luck.

Peter.

You don't stop laughing because you grow old....You grow old because you stop laughing.

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chopmyheadoff CH.com Hall of Famer Offline Its only a headache, deal with it - SMACK Posts: 507 x1\|warrington\|United_Kingdom\|europe\|158\|187\| Gender:	Re: Occipital nerve block Reply #4 - Feb 11^th, 2015 at 4:12am Hi Peter, thanks for the info .. Im glad your getting some relief now .. I will certainly have a look at the thread you mention. Thanks Chop
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Bob Johnson

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Kennett Square, PA (USA)
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Re: Occipital nerve block
Reply #5 - Feb 13^th, 2015 at 12:50pm

Headache. 2015 Feb 3.
Nerve Block for the Treatment of Headaches and Cranial Neuralgias -
Dach F1, Éckeli ÁL, Ferreira KD, Speciali JG.
Author information1Headache Clinic, University Hospital of School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Several studies have presented evidence that blocking peripheral nerves is effective for the treatment of some headaches and cranial neuralgias, resulting in reduction of the frequency, intensity, and duration of pain.
OBJECTIVES: In this article we describe the role of nerve block in the treatment of headaches and cranial neuralgias, and the experience of a tertiary headache center regarding this issue. We also report the anatomical landmarks, techniques, materials used, contraindications, and side effects of peripheral nerve block, as well as the mechanisms of action of lidocaine and dexamethasone.
CONCLUSIONS: The nerve block can be used in primary (migraine, CLUSTER headache, and nummular headache) and secondary headaches (cervicogenic headache and headache attributed to craniotomy), as well in cranial neuralgias (trigeminal neuropathies, glossopharyngeal and occipital neuralgias). In some of them this procedure is necessary for both diagnosis and treatment, while in others it is an adjuvant treatment. The block of the greater occipital nerve with an anesthetic and corticosteroid compound has proved to be effective in the treatment of cluster headache. Regarding the treatment of other headaches and cranial neuralgias, controlled studies are still necessary to clarify the real role of peripheral nerve block.

Bob Johnson

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Peter510 CH.com Alumnus Offline Don't give out... But don't give in. Posts: 966 Wexford. Ireland Gender:	Re: Occipital nerve block Reply #6 - Feb 14^th, 2015 at 3:17am Chop, How did you get on with the nerve block? Regards, Peter.
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chopmyheadoff

CH.com Hall of Famer

Re: Occipital nerve block
Reply #7 - Feb 15^th, 2015 at 11:18am

Hi all, so i had the block on friday,
Had a hit right after it while still in office. .

Had the usual 3 hourly hits all thru the night and throughout saturday . .

I had my 1am hit saturday night .. then .. nothing.

I missed the 3am and the 6 am and havent had one since.
I am cautiously optimistic this might have worked..

Tonight will be the real test.

It was a bit evil having it done, could hear a crunch as it went thru the cartlidge haha

But if it has indeed worked then obviously its woth it a million times over

Will report back tomorow

Chop

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Peter510 CH.com Alumnus Offline Don't give out... But don't give in. Posts: 966 Wexford. Ireland Gender:	Re: Occipital nerve block Reply #8 - Feb 15^th, 2015 at 12:40pm Chop, Really hope it works for you. Best of luck and keep us posted. Peter
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chopmyheadoff

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Re: Occipital nerve block
Reply #9 - Feb 16^th, 2015 at 8:38am

So just a little update ..

I had a full night sleep last night - it was bliss !!

I still havent had a hit ..
I thourghly recommend this to anyone who has exhausted all their options with the "standard" treatments ..

How long it will last i dont know - but i will report any changes back here ..

One point i would like to make is that i mentioned the D3 regime to Dr Silver and i was quite surprised that he just dismissed it straight away.

I wonder why that is ? Is it not medically proven/tested ??

Chop

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Peter510

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don't give in.

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Re: Occipital nerve block
Reply #10 - Feb 16^th, 2015 at 11:42am

Chop,
Great to hear the block is working for you. I'd be very interested to hear how long you get the benefit from it.

Don't be surprised that the D3 was dismissed by your Doc.. This is just what I would have expected. I went to a "Top" neurologist here in Dublin, who had no interest in anything I had tried in the past, did'nt even want to hear about past meds or anything else. That's not unusual at all.

Thankfully my Current GP is right on board with the D3, so I suppose I'm lucky there. I'm getting great benefits from it right now.

Hope the Block works well for you. Keep us updated.

Peter.

You don't stop laughing because you grow old....You grow old because you stop laughing.

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Rumeke CH.com Veteran Offline Posts: 173 Westfield, NC Gender:	Re: Occipital nerve block Reply #11 - Feb 16^th, 2015 at 5:49pm Chop, My PC Dr was good with the D3 but explained that most Drs. are trained to follow what the FDA and their 'overseers' dictate. The D3 regimen does not bring $ to the big pharmas so it is discouraged.
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Traveller

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Re: Occipital nerve block
Reply #12 - Feb 16^th, 2015 at 6:31pm

My neuro was dismissive of the D3 regimen because, in his words - there is no medical reason to believe it will work. When I told him that it had a 70% success rate as reported on the site, he was skeptical, but said that it won't do any harm. He also said that 75% of people are D3 deficient so it would be impossible to establish a link between D3 deficiency and CH. I've tried it several times with no success, but I don't doubt the veracity of those who report it works for them.

As to "big pharma" I don't see the value in developing scapegoats. Verapamil and Zomig generally work well for me, and I'm grateful to those who developed them.

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Rumeke

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Re: Occipital nerve block
Reply #13 - Feb 16^th, 2015 at 8:16pm

I agree that some RX are wonder workers and for those I am grateful. However too many times Drs don't think outside their box. A good example is elderberry syrup, most physicians will poo poo it and prescribe Tamiflu when it has been proven that the syrup will shorten your flu by the same amount of time with no side effects and it's OTC. My Dr admitted they are 'encouraged' to prescribe certain Rx when an OTC may work just as well without the side effects.

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chopmyheadoff

CH.com Hall of Famer

Re: Occipital nerve block
Reply #14 - Feb 25^th, 2015 at 11:24am

Hi guys, just a quick update ..

So after one day and night of relief they came back just as strong Sad

I have been back to neuro today and had 3 injections - 2 in the back and one in my termple ..

That one was evil to say the least Shocked

So fingers crossed for this time.
Apparently if i dont get relief i can call him and take part in a study of a new device ..
It looked like the thing geordie wears on his face in star trek !!

Anyone heard of this ?

Chop

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CDog CH.com Veteran Offline Posts: 163 Rockies Gender:	Re: Occipital nerve block Reply #15 - Feb 25^th, 2015 at 11:42am Perhaps this: Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to or
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Peter510 CH.com Alumnus Offline Don't give out... But don't give in. Posts: 966 Wexford. Ireland Gender:	Re: Occipital nerve block Reply #16 - Feb 25^th, 2015 at 12:41pm Hi Chop, Sorry to hear the block was not what you hoped. Have a good look at Batch's D3 Programme. It's done wonders for me. Best wish, Peter.
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chopmyheadoff

CH.com Hall of Famer

Re: Occipital nerve block
Reply #17 - Feb 25^th, 2015 at 12:51pm

CDog wrote on Feb 25^th, 2015 at 11:42am:

Perhaps this: Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

Yes, that was exactly it.
I think i will give it a try if this block doesnt work.. The doc said my hips could colapse if i keep taking steroids Shocked

I will keep you delightful peeps posted how i get on .. I hope it might help someone else thinking of trying these things ..

Chop

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TonyP134

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Los Angeles, California
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Re: Occipital nerve block
Reply #18 - Apr 30^th, 2015 at 10:49pm

HI
I had the OCB and had a CH immediately leaving the Neurologist's office. then I had four days of no headaches and was thinking "wow.. this is GREAT," then the headaches returned every other day and then back to the normal routine of 1-2 each day. Not as many as some people on here. multiples a day would be horrific. I then tried another surgical procedure which is another nerve block but requires anesthesia. Again four days of relief and then back they came! I am back on oral imitrex and relpax and is the only thing that has worked with the pain. I am still searching for a preventative solution. O2 hasn't worked or I haven't done it at the right rate yet. All the best.
Tony

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Newheadshopplease

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Re: Occipital nerve block
Reply #19 - May 2^nd, 2015 at 3:34pm

Hi All
I'm new to this site although I've been suffering for 9 years now. I had my first GON block back in Aug 12 and I was pain free for nearly a year it was bliss, the next one I had lasted only 6 months and this happened the next 2 times. My bout returned on the 01st of April in its usual pattern that I could treat with the sumatriptan injections, on the 24th April I had another GON block, but instead of helping this time I've been much worse, has anyone else found this ? On Sunday morning when I had run out of injections the only stop is hospital and oxygen for which I was on it for around 5 hrs and now I'm up to 3-4 attacks a day and I'm just so tired !! I'll mention this D3 to my neurologist see what he says but if anyone else has gone through the GON situation I would love to hear back ? Thanks Tracey

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