Occipital Neuralgia: What treatments work for you?

Posted by jmb73 @jmb73, Sep 11, 2019

I have been having headaches on one side of my head and have recently been diagnosed with occipital neuralgia. They recommend a nerve bloc but I wonder anyone else has this and how they handle it.. I don't want a nerve bloc. The headaches are usually mild but occasionally the pain wakes me up. They got worse after I had my Gamma surgery. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thank you.

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Profile picture for hollace123456 @hollace123456

Have you tried Sumatriptan? It’s taken as needed but it’s the only medication, that I’ve taken, that decreases my pain. Sometimes it doesn’t help, sometimes it takes the edge off, other times it’s almost complete relief.

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@hollace123456 I will ask my Dr. about this med. I like the idea of taking it when needed rather than every day. So far my morning exercises, elastic bands, and my ccervical Log Pillow have been making my Life is bit easier. Another note a long time massage therapist told me to use
Magnesium Lotion on my muscles that give me trouble. I still take p.m. 400 meg at bed time. but she says it has really helped her, I order it on amazon $11.00. I love all the help we share with one another, you folks understand our issues.

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Yes, magnesium is helpful for me too, i soak my feet sometimes to help my whole body with inflammation. It does wonders. I love all natural remedies instead of pills.

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Anti inflammatory herbs help me a ton. Turmeric, ginger, garlic, collagen and even some kale all go in my protein shakes in the morning. I swear by them. My head & neck feels better but even my knees and hip. I’m ready to exercise.
Physical therapy helps and I am waiting for nerve blocks.
My symptoms have significantly decreased since I started my shakes.

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Profile picture for eaoneill4771 @eaoneill4771

Anti inflammatory herbs help me a ton. Turmeric, ginger, garlic, collagen and even some kale all go in my protein shakes in the morning. I swear by them. My head & neck feels better but even my knees and hip. I’m ready to exercise.
Physical therapy helps and I am waiting for nerve blocks.
My symptoms have significantly decreased since I started my shakes.

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@eaoneill4771 I agree 100% I started drinking Qunol Liquid Turmeric 1000mg supports Inflammation (costco). i also exercise (a program I developed for myself, after much study).
I even bought me a Towel warmer, everytime, I go to massage therapy they heat up my neck, and upper back. how wonderful this feels. keep looking foward, my ON is doing o.k. as of today. no flair up for three months.

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Don’t be afraid of a nerve block. I’ve had two; one worked and one didn’t. But worth trying.

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Profile picture for pierwell @pierwell

Don’t be afraid of a nerve block. I’ve had two; one worked and one didn’t. But worth trying.

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@pierwell Dito, nerve block helped me. I also take trigger shots.

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Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

Hi @wa34937, I moved your message to this discussion about Occipital Neuralgia in the Brain & Nervous System group so that you can connect with @jmb73 @bumble81 @jenniferhunter @rwinney @eifeltower @jlfisher56 and others with ON.

Wa, is this a recent diagnosis for you? What sypmtoms do you experience and what treatments are you considering?

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@colleenyoung can I get connected too? I have the same issue. Every so often my ON flares up. Most times I know its about to happen and then eventually turns into a headache and nothing helps except for NSAIDs and I hate taking those. I would prefer not to take the nerve block shot but if there are no other options then I am not sure. Looking to learn more on how to manage this.

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Profile picture for sha04 @sha04

@colleenyoung can I get connected too? I have the same issue. Every so often my ON flares up. Most times I know its about to happen and then eventually turns into a headache and nothing helps except for NSAIDs and I hate taking those. I would prefer not to take the nerve block shot but if there are no other options then I am not sure. Looking to learn more on how to manage this.

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@sha04 I quit taking meds but I do exercise to stregthen my neck not just stretching. check u-tbue. I have the very same problem I can do everything right then for some on known reason
a bad flair up. I do nerve blocks and trigger shots on the regular sechule every three or four wks.
I also do clinical massage every four weeks, very helpful. I do know how terrible the pain can be
when I get ice picks in back of my head I use Migraine cap keep in freeer. Try anything I know how terrible the pain can be so their are those who understand. Best to you.

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