Anyone else have migraines that start at the back of your head?

Posted by daniellmorgan @daniellmorgan, Jun 11 2:52pm

I’ve been dealing with migraines for years especially the kind that seem to start right at the base of my skull and then spread upward. I’ve gone through the usual routine of medications, Botox, even physical therapy, but nothing ever seemed to last or get to the root of it.

Recently, I came across this blog from Dr. Adam Lowenstein on Headache Surgery "Why Don’t More Doctors Refer for Headache Surgery?". It really opened my eyes. It talks about how some doctors don’t explore surgical options, even when conservative treatments don’t help. It made me feel less alone—like maybe there’s more that could be done if we just knew where to look.

Has anyone here looked into nerve-related causes for their migraines or considered surgery? I’d love to hear if anyone’s had any success with that path.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Headache & Migraine Support Group.

Jody aka mojo244 | @mojo244 | Jun 12 11:35am

My chronic migraine began after chemo and radiation for stage IV throat cancer.
The migraine has never stopped, Sumatriptan would curb it from a 10 to a 7 but only for a few hours and you can only take 9 per month. When I reached age 60 my doctor would no longer prescribe it because Triptans can cause stroke in people over 60. Qulipta and Nurtec have a $400.00 co pay for 9 pills per month and I’m not doing that!
I’ve been on Botox for a couple years now. It took a year to see improvement but the second year was no help.
Now I’ve been complaining for 8 1/2 years that I thought my migraine is starting at the back of my skull and think my neck is causing the migraine. I also felt that my neck is causing my shoulder pain as well.
Well I’ve had shoulder surgery, PT, message therapy, cupping and acupuncture. The only thing that helped was the message therapy that was done by a doctor. She knew right where to dig in but it only gave me 20-30 minutes of relief so that was stopped.
On my last Botox injections my PA decided to use the entire amount in my neck rather than my head and face.
That was the ticket but it only lasted 2 months and I’m really looking forward to my next injections and hopefully it will give me a couple months of relief. Now when I say relief I’m talking from a 10 to a 7 but I’ll take that!
So as for surgery, I think that is a great idea! I just wonder how they could fix damage caused by radiation?
I will mention it to my PA next visit, her husband is a neurosurgeon so maybe she can give some insight?
Meanwhile, fight the good fight!

MOJO

tbgreif625 | @tbgreif625 | Jun 12 12:19pm

Yes. Nerves can get over stimulated and result in migraines. I am being treated with a nerve block injection to calm down the nerves to see if that dissipates some of my headaches. It is not billed as a cure and should last between 2-3 months. So far it is helping me and while I still have headaches they are less radical in nature.