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My local neurologist Dr. C has diagnosed me with occipital neuralgia. He is referring me to a pain specialist in Kansas City, Missouri, who he thinks might be able to help me with both this condition and the chronic migraines. In fact, the occipital neuralgia may be the main trigger for my migraines that we haven't been able to identify or tame.
Dr. C said it's a good sign that the first occipital nerve block provided pronounced, if short lived, relief. I've received a total of three sets of occipital nerve blocks and have had less improvement each time since that first injection. It would seem to make sense to look for other options. Dr C said there are more extensive and/or newer options that this other doctor knows about.
I'm not entirely sure what to expect, but I'm anxious. On one hand I'm excited there may finally be an explanation for the frequency of my migraines and that it may be something we can address. On the other I'm nervous about taking more extreme measures like surgery and worried that going down that road might be a big, expensive, painful mistake.
Technorati Tags: occipital neuralgia, doctors, prevention, depression, migraines, chronic illness, health, somebody heal me
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Content by Diana E. Lee.
5 comments:
I sure hope this diagnosis leads to some improvement -- fewer migraines would be nice, right?
Welcome to the Occipital Neuralgia club. It's not one I wish to share, but it does make some of my migraines explainable and once the ON is temporarily under control, I tend to do better...
At any rate...welcome to this new path in the journey to relief.
I have ON and see a pain specialist weekly for freezing shots in the had. I've had surgery, which didn't work and only made things worse. I take tons of medication. I am in the process of trying to get funding for an implant. It's a long and frustrating road to take, so you'll have to be patient. Good luck!
Hi, I hope that you find some relief. I have Neuralgia (TN) and migraines. I know how severely it affects our life and at times our state of being. Every day is a day of renewed hope, willpower and strength just to get through so many things I once took for granted. Sometimes, I wonder if its a blessing to stop and enjoy the beautiful moments of life, other times I am wondering what went wrong, is it s a curse or karma. Are there things I need to address. I have not yet found that answer, however, I have found a new me, a still me, one that is happy with the simpler yet more profound things in life. It is a difficult change and I know my changes have impacted those around me positively. I hope your adversity can be turned into your strength as well.
I just wanted to say that I have Chronic Migraines, have had for years and years. I have done the blocks, the botox, the pressure point injections, the RFA's (Radio Freguency Ablation) where they burn the Occipital nerve, and none have had relief for more than 2 days if that. My new Neurologist (my old one had to leave to take care of his dying father) suggested the same thing as your Dr. He wants me to have a Central nerve block then repeated Occiptal blocks, the medications I am on are the maxium you can get so I am stuck. I just want you to know that you are not alone. I know we sure feel like we are alone. I wish you the very best hon. God Bless you and all of the Migraine Suffers out there.
Dee
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