Greater occipital nerve injections

[Nanny65]

Hi has anyone been offered these injections? If so was it successful? Thanks.

[Helpman]

No just let vm run it course first two months no lifting anything no stairs listen to your body if it hurts stop good luck helpman

[Nanny65 in reply to Helpman]

Thanks for your reply. Trouble is I'm 10 months post vm.

[sonnerkay]

Hi, I’ve had Botox/lidicane injections (23points injection site) from below right ear , across top of shoulder, & shoulder blade. Neurologist administered every 3 months for 6 years for pain. Worked well, there is some weakness in right arm, shoulder but pain was controlled. I hope this helps.

I also had opcipical nerve block, steroid injection by radiology, thru front of neck to reach nerve at c5-6 for pain. Was traumatic, worked for 6 weeks, then gone. This was tried before Botox.

Steroid injections multiple times thru right shoulder, blade area, every 3 months also tried before Botox.

Take care

Sonnerkay

[sonnerkay]

Just to add , had Botox/lidocaine injection sites in occipital region for migranes , after 3 treatments never had migraines again. Before Botox my right arm & shoulder were immobile due to pain, my neck so stiff I couldn’t turn head to right. After injections I am able to use arm, shoulder, turn head, so I hope u find relief .

Hope all is well Sonnerkay

[Nanny65 in reply to sonnerkay]

Thanks so much for your reply. All helps.

[poppet777]

Hi, I had VM in November 2017 and have had a constant headache since. I tried many things to help, acupuncture, cranial acupuncture and the medications Gabapentin and Amitriptyline. I had limited relief from alternative therapies although benefited from their holistic approach. The GP also suggested taking magnesium, riboflavin and co-enzyme Q10, details of these supplements and the evidence behind them can be found on the migraine trust website.

After seeing a neurologist I was diagnosed with a chronic post meningitis headache which I felt was a very obvious diagnosis! I was offered the greater occipital nerve block to help manage the pain. I know everyone says your brain needs time to recover and it certainly does but I couldn’t function at work with the headache and I do need to return to work. The nerve block for me has been the turning point. I had it 16 days ago and it took 8 days before it did anything. Of course it’s early days and I have no idea about how long it will last but I can have another one. It’s reduced my background headache to a 3/10 instead of a 7/10 and the flucations in pain have reduced although still there. It hasn’t taken my headache away completely but it’s worked far better than anything else and instead of the headache always being my focus I can now be distracted from it. Of course everyone is different and what works for one doesn’t work for another. Wishing you well in your recovery.

[Nanny65 in reply to poppet777]

Sorry only just seen your reply. Can I ask if you had further injections? How are your symptoms now? Would you still recommend the treatment? I appreciate your reply.

[poppet777]

Hi

The nerve block did provide some relief. The first injection helped with the headaches I was experiencing at the back of my head, these tended to be the most painful. However the effect over the constant headache only lasted about a week. I paid to have another nerve block 2 months after the first and it has seemed to offer minimal improvement. I felt it was worth a try especially as the first injection was offered on the NHS. For some people these injections seem to help a great deal more.

As for my symptoms I’m pretty much ruled everyday by my headache. I’m always conscious of it, it’s relentless. I have however started a hypertension medication prescribed by my neurologist which has defiantly helped with managing the pain, all be it with side effects. They now thinks my headaches could be a symptom of POTS. Which would make sense why the nerve blocks didn’t really help. How are you getting on?

[Nanny65 in reply to poppet777]

Have been offered the injections next month just not sure about them. I have good days where I feel almost back to normal but then the pressure builds especially if I'm active. Can't tolerate noise. Get creeping burning sensations at the back and top of my head. Don't think I'm as bad as you sounded. What is POTS? Thank you so much for reply. Also did you experience any hair loss?

[poppet777]

No hair loss, I think this side effect is more likely if you have repeated nerve blocks. I found it was quick and didn’t really hurt. It did make my head hurt more for 24 hours but then this settled.

POTS is Postural Tachycardia Syndrome, which means that when you stand up your pulse rate goes up. My headaches are very positional, they are dulled by lying flat and then are set off with standing up or quick change of movement. I’m being tested next month so we will see. I’m glad your head has improved. Good luck with everything.

[Nanny65 in reply to poppet777]

Thank you very much. That is helpful. I hope you find a solution and you are well soon.