Occipital Neuralgia Headache: Terrible pain lasting weeks, what helps?

@sherminator my headachs started long time ago, however, the older I get the worse they have
become. My Pain Dr. is planning on Botox as soon as my Insurance allows. I believe mine are
muscle related so I have started my own exercise program. Everyday head stretched, Posture,
and a rolled pillow, my pillows were making my Flair Time aswful. This last time lasted 3weeks
Holiday time my Dr. was out of the country. He usually gives me trigger shots (which helps)
few months. I suggest get as eduated as you can before you have your appointment. This group
has proved so helpful to me. I recently went to a Clinical Massage (fabulous) worked on my Head, shoulders, upper back, Pain was gone 5hrs. it returned but under countrol now. she told
me Hot water bottles work best deeper, Ice pack. Best to you, we do understand the awful state we are iin at times.

@sherminator Thanks for your kind remarks and helpful thoughts. I will stay away from them
completely. Frankly I can stand the pain not the awful out of control feelings.

@sherminator I found out when I took anti depressants that they make me have bad dreams and not only that I act out in my sleep which is bad for me and my husband. I will not ever take them again. @rnlorena

@sinyaale so sorry. I can't imagine putting up with what you do. I have at least 6 short attacks daily. Nothing like yours.

@rnlorena I really fo not want medication that put me down and out. I have bad enough problems with SIBOBfrom gastroparesis I beleive I hot from anti depressants. Also, the pain is not constant just so disruptive.

These headaches are wicked. I have to wait until March 4 to see a neurologist. This started October 5th. It is worst when cough.
I am always surprised when they hit me. I have a special pillow, I use an occipital release which helps only while I use it. Ugh a month and a half to go.
I so appreciate the input on this site.

@onpainsufferer Oh MG you have run the difficult race. I am so sorry to hear this, it can be such a challenge. I would like your answer on taking Duloxetinena? They started me on it but I am feeling mild nausea , shakey & I cannot sleep. My Dr. sent me to a wonderful treatment
Clincial Massage 45 min. on my head, shoulders, lower back. I had 6-7 headach (for weeks) when
I left I was pain free 5hrs. Headach did return maybe 3-4 and with 2 days of resting it is gone.
now I know it will be back but I will go straight to the Massage again. I also feel the pillows I have been sleeping on are part of my problems, so I bought a round rolled pillow, because I
sleep on my side. Today waiting to hear fr. Dr. on these pills I quite taking them .I also had one
ablation no change; perhaps I should try my new Pain Dr? have you ever done Botox? I am wishing you the best, I know how awful this pain is beyond description. The Best to you, thanks

You’ve had a rough time. I hope you get relief but ir’s going to take time. It’s such a strange and frustrating condition.

@pierwell I’ve found ablations hit and miss. The one I had 4 years ago worked great. It took about 8 weeks for all my symptoms to go away and then got 20 months of full relief. I thought ON was behind me. Then it came back quickly and my Pain Specialist had moved out of the area. Second doctor claimed to have done the same procedure, but seemed to make my pain worse! I went a multiple medication approach (Gabapentin & Duloxetine) plus a CGRP Inhibitor and slowly pain improved for a year. Then came back again, only this time it’s been 24x7 intense pain, dizziness, blurry vision, and occasional vertigo for 9 months. New doctors took over my case last summer and Pain Specialist was able to get all of my old medical records. Seems the second ablation doctor didn’t do the same nerves and lies about it! I’m scheduled for another ablation in early spring. My insurance company requiring two trial ablations (typically it’s with lidocaine) 3-4 weeks apart before the real ablation, So insurance is making me wait from December when my doctor went for prior authorization until end of March for the real procedure. Then if like the first ablation, symptom reduction was slow for 6-8 weeks more. I’m out on disability and will probably lose my job since they only had to hold my job for 90 days. At this point I’m also starting to explore both PRP and Stem Cell injections which insurance will not cover.

@suszy39 I totally understand the miserable nights when you can't sleep, sometimes feels so
alone, I am thakful for a very good subportive husband but still feel alone at times.