Posted by Kim Huskey (12.5.160.1) on June 05, 2000 at 16:15:59:
Has anyone had this procedure done for neck shoulder pain or CH's - or know of anyone who has?
My husband Rusty is a clusterhead who also has back problems. He has been in a cycle for 2 months now, after a 3 year remission. He is 42 years old and has had CH's since his early 20's. Before this cycle started he had been having bad back pain and was referred to a pain management specialist. Before his appointment date arrived he began this current CH cycle. His attacks usually involve extreme pain in his neck and shoulder (in addition to his temple, eye, cheek and ear) on his right side. He also has blockage of the nasal passage and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Anyway, the pain management guy thinks the CH's could be triggered by the neck/shoulder problem and wants to do an occipital nerve block. Any thoughts or info on this?
Rusty's last bout (in early 1997) was ended when he had a root canal done. Lately he has been having some tooth pain in or around the same tooth he had the root canal done on, but his dentist and periodontist say they can see no problem there. Now they want him to see an endodontist. We'll see.
BTW, this site is great. I've been browsing around in here for a couple of weeks now. Rusty is the one who told me about it, but I've spent way more time here than he has... but he has an excuse...I think he's close to losing all hope, he's in despair. He's pinning what little hope he has left on this pain management guy and that scares me. This bout is worse than any he's ever had. He has headaches day and night...he's afraid to go to sleep because they always come then...he can't get any rest. He has oxygen...it helps sometimes,sometimes not. His GP prescribed some pain medication, I can't remember the name of it...probably because it doesn't work. I try to help, but there's not much I can do. I lightly massage his back and he says it helps him relax and I geuss me just being there is some comfort, but when the really bad ones come and he's pacing around crying and begging God to make it stop - I can hardly stand it. I went to a family reunion last weekend and felt so guilty for leaving him alone... but I needed to get away. I can't feel his pain...but I can feel the hopelessness and despair. I fear the beast.
PFDAN to you all, Kim H.