inflammation at C1, C2 of cervical spine causing cervicogenic headach

Thank you

Hello all
Cervicogenic headache and occipital neuralgia may have different causes and different interventions. I started with a broad diagnosis of cervicogenic headache almost two years ago at a major medical center because I reported head and neck pain.
I’ve had multiple facet and medial branch injections at every level including level 1 that most docs won’t do. Because they didn’t help ablation wasn’t recommended.
A neurologist said the occipital pain at the base of my neck suggested occipital neuralgia and I moved to a pain management doc for occipital nerve and cervical plexus injections. They help some but don’t eliminate.
I’ve been reading about dorsal root ganglion injections at 2-3 as an intervention.
I’m moving on from my current docs and hoping a Mayo doc will determine an accurate diagnosis and an intervention that works.

Hello all
Cervicogenic headache and occipital neuralgia may have different causes and different interventions. I started with a broad diagnosis of cervicogenic headache almost two years ago at a major medical center because I reported head and neck pain.
I’ve had multiple facet and medial branch injections at every level including level 1 that most docs won’t do. Because they didn’t help ablation wasn’t recommended.
A neurologist said the occipital pain at the base of my neck suggested occipital neuralgia and I moved to a pain management doc for occipital nerve and cervical plexus injections. They help some but don’t eliminate.
I’ve been reading about “dorsal root ganglion”injections at 2-3 as an intervention.
I’m hoping a Mayo doc will determine an accurate diagnosis and an intervention that works.

They will!

Why are you having a problem with pain medication? Because of Eliquis? I am having epidural tomorrow and stopped Eliquis three ago.
If that doesn’t work, I am starting the nerve injections and eventually the ablation. Thank you.

@kathy513

Can you please explain the scalp burning sensation? I obviously know what you are talking about from a subjective standpoint. Can you explain your symptoms? Those were some of my first.

Yes my scalp started to burn so I went to dermatologist. They said it was neurological. I researched as symptoms got worse, head pain, right sided only, ear pain, like an ear infection, facial pain, pain around eyes, throat pain, stabbing in throat. I went to many specialists, PC, ENT, Orthopedics, Dentist, Oral surgeon, Neurologist, trying to rule out what it wasn't. All said neurological. I decided it was Occipital Neuralgia and had 2 nerve blocks that did not work. The pain followed the Occipital path but as shown in the picture I added also very similar to Cervicogenic headache at C1, C2.
Eventually we drove 10 hours to Mayo Jacksonville and I am being treated . There is an element of Trigeminal neuralgia also. If the injections at C1,C2 don't work, they are considering Eagles Syndrome.
Occipital Neuralgia and Cervicogenic headache, seem to me, to follow the same path. I was convinced it was Occipital due to the burning scalp.
I have read 1000s of articles and studies to try and resolve this! It has been going on since last May.
Do you have similar symptoms?

@kathy513

Thank you for your details.
It’s very helpful.
I started with the sensations in my scalp, ear and eye. Never felt it in my neck.

I saw a Neuro and ENT at the same time. Unfortunately due to a scan that showed sinus “inflammation”, I went with an ENTs recommendation for surgery.

Without sharing my full story, everything I was experiencing in my scalp/ear and head intensified times 100 and that’s when the neck portion started.

Knowing what I know now. I believe mine all started in my neck but I got so used to feeling tight shoulders that it never bothered me and ended up referring the pain upwards until I felt it hit my nerves. And that’s when I noticed.

Unfortunately it took me talking to the correct people AFTER an unnecessary surgery to figure out how it all happens. And with my history of being extremely active with repetitive movements in one area and a few other things I could tell exactly where it was originated and how it started.

It’s pretty debilitating. Have to work on CORE. Occipital muscle tightness and strengthen the neck muscles in the front that have weakened due to the occipital tightness.

I had an injection in the neck about 18 months ago because I had cervogenic headaches. I was surprised that the injection wasn't to painful.. I do neck exercises almost daily. It seems to have worked.

I have received acupuncture, nerve blocks, PT, chiropractic adjustments, own two TENS units, use infrared lights, ice and then heat and I have tried just about whatever is out there for my herniated disks. I have herniations from C-2 through C8 with spurs and stenosis on C4-5 and C5-6, pinching into the spinal cord. I then found relief in my chiropractor when he started using the DRX machine on me. What usually brings some relief after 5-10 sessions, took over 40 sessions. My neck pain has not be diagnosed as CRPA and is spreading. I will not surcome to invasive surgery for plates and screws as i have osteoporosis and have bone loss in my spine. Capacilin cream helps, but i have really gotten relief by taking good old fashion Cayenne pepper and mixing it in my skin lotion. I smear that on my neck by the disks, cover it with a cheese cloth or wash towel and sit in my recliner with a towel behind my head and watch TV. In a couple of hours, the magic happens. Everything in my neck heats up and starts to relax. It can get rather hot from the cayenne pepper. I wash it off and go to bed while I have the benefits of that deep penetrating heat from the cayenne. Having a degree in holistic nutrition, I also found diet and pain have a relationship with each other. Avoid inflammatory foods. Use a tens unit often to interfere with the pain signal. Since I have CRPS in my neck with muli-level herniations, using a TEN unit daily helped while working. Avoid Avoid and Avoid sugar, red meat, and dairy as they all produce lots of inflammation contributing to the cycle of pain. A MUST is to also learn self hypnosis pain and relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and especially progressive relaxation. These last techniques alone with have significant benefits to reduce pain. Consistent stretching on a daily basis is equally important. Just using self hypnosis, guided imgary, and some progressive relaxation techniques, I can reduce my overall pain from a 10 -shot me - to a 5 - its ok to work and have fun. Pain is manageable at a 5. I was not allowed to lift over 7 pounds and to not do anything raising my arms to my face level or above. No more scrubbing showers and floors. It is important to take some things from each catagory: physical, mental, emotional, and dietary to start a fews things at a time. Do not forget, we now have lots of full spectrum CBD, CBG CBN, etc products that have helped me tremendously. The yoga, stretching, hot/ice, diet changes, progressive relaxation and self hypnosis are the most helpful. I swear by my CBD formulas and my medical marijuana for pain as one has to only use certain terpenes and cannabinoids to get the most pain relief and sleep.