1. < Brain & Nervous System
Profile picture for jmb73

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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Brain & Nervous System Support Group.

Profile picture for suszy39
suszy39 | @suszy39 | 6 days ago
In reply to @pierwell "Don’t be afraid of a nerve block. I’ve had two; one worked and one didn’t. But..." + (show)
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.

Jump to this post

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

REPLY
Profile picture for pierwell
pierwell | @pierwell | Mar 21 9:42pm

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

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for suszy39
suszy39 | @suszy39 | Mar 21 10:37am
In reply to @eaoneill4771 "Anti inflammatory herbs help me a ton. Turmeric, ginger, garlic, collagen and even some kale all..." + (show)
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.

Jump to this post

@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.

REPLY
Profile picture for eaoneill4771
eaoneill4771 | @eaoneill4771 | Mar 20 7:18am

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.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for eaoneill4771
eaoneill4771 | @eaoneill4771 | Mar 20 7:15am

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.

REPLY
Profile picture for suszy39
suszy39 | @suszy39 | Mar 19 9:35pm
In reply to @hollace123456 "Have you tried Sumatriptan? It’s taken as needed but it’s the only medication, that I’ve taken,..." + (show)
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.

Jump to this post

@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.

REPLY
Profile picture for eaoneill4771
eaoneill4771 | @eaoneill4771 | Mar 18 6:48am
In reply to @hollace123456 "@mikelmrns I go through the same thing, before my doctor said that I had this type..." + (show)
Profile picture for hollace123456 @hollace123456

@mikelmrns
I go through the same thing, before my doctor said that I had this type of headache I thought I was going crazy. It’s difficult when noise, smells, cold, concentration, over exertion and especially stress trigger it.
Sumatriptan helps to break the cycle for a bit.

Jump to this post

@hollace123456
Physical Therapy was the best thing so far that has helped and drinking protein shakes that have turmeric, collagen, ginger and kale. All help with anti inflammatory. My knees even feel better but my neck is doing great. Exercises that keep it in the proper position are good for me.
Still waiting for neverblocks but my symptoms are not what they were. Praying for relief for you!

REPLY
Profile picture for hollace123456
hollace123456 | @hollace123456 | Mar 17 3:21pm
In reply to @mikelmrns "Hello all. I have been suffering with headaches and neck pain ever since a ski crash..." + (show)
Profile picture for mikelmrns @mikelmrns

Hello all. I have been suffering with headaches and neck pain ever since a ski crash about 2 years ago. Have been on meds like gabapenting for over a year now. I was finally diagnosed with ON Dec of 2024 and have tried nerve blocks, trigger point and botox a few times (only the numbing part of the nerve block has worked, the steroids not so much). I have also been on Physical therapy, have tried chiro, acupuncture, massage.. Only PT, acupuncture and massage has given me some relief that last for days..

Severity of my headaches depends on the day but I get worse with physical exertion or concentrating. I have unabated headaches non stop 24/7. Scalp is very sensitive and feels burning to the touch along with other symptoms like dizziness, nausea etc. The worse part of my pain started in the left occipital side but since April of this year has progressed to the left side of my head right around the top of my ears and also feel it in my left shoulder. I'm desperate and want my life back. I want to be aggressive and ask if I can do more invasive treatments but idk what.. I have looked in to nerve decompression surgery(done by plastic surgeon), cryoneurolysis, RFA, prolotherapy or nerve hydrodissection and idk what else. I trust my neuro and grateful I was diagnosed early but I need something else. Having pain every single day along with other symptoms taking a toll on me

Jump to this post

@mikelmrns
I go through the same thing, before my doctor said that I had this type of headache I thought I was going crazy. It’s difficult when noise, smells, cold, concentration, over exertion and especially stress trigger it.
Sumatriptan helps to break the cycle for a bit.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for hollace123456
hollace123456 | @hollace123456 | Mar 17 3:13pm

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.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for wfm573
wfm573 | @wfm573 | Feb 2 7:31pm
In reply to @mikelmrns "Hello all. I have been suffering with headaches and neck pain ever since a ski crash..." + (show)
Profile picture for mikelmrns @mikelmrns

Hello all. I have been suffering with headaches and neck pain ever since a ski crash about 2 years ago. Have been on meds like gabapenting for over a year now. I was finally diagnosed with ON Dec of 2024 and have tried nerve blocks, trigger point and botox a few times (only the numbing part of the nerve block has worked, the steroids not so much). I have also been on Physical therapy, have tried chiro, acupuncture, massage.. Only PT, acupuncture and massage has given me some relief that last for days..

Severity of my headaches depends on the day but I get worse with physical exertion or concentrating. I have unabated headaches non stop 24/7. Scalp is very sensitive and feels burning to the touch along with other symptoms like dizziness, nausea etc. The worse part of my pain started in the left occipital side but since April of this year has progressed to the left side of my head right around the top of my ears and also feel it in my left shoulder. I'm desperate and want my life back. I want to be aggressive and ask if I can do more invasive treatments but idk what.. I have looked in to nerve decompression surgery(done by plastic surgeon), cryoneurolysis, RFA, prolotherapy or nerve hydrodissection and idk what else. I trust my neuro and grateful I was diagnosed early but I need something else. Having pain every single day along with other symptoms taking a toll on me

Jump to this post

@mikelmrns
Look up Jim Robinson the brain doctor out of Atlanta Georgia Piedmont Hospital he is an incredible surgeon.
I was getting blinding headaches and had worked with two guys that never found what he did. I'm pain free 7 years.
Brainexpert. Com

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.