I am having Occipital Nerve Block Injections in the next couple of weeks.

[popit]

I was just wanting to know how many people have had them and if they helped at all. Also are they painful? xXx

[Hidden]

Hi there,

I have been receiving Greater Occipital Nerve Blocks for almost a year now. For me they only last 3-4 weeks, but I am at the top of the percentile, where nothing works for me. These block help me considerably. They knock the pain down to a point where I don't NEED narcotics, and I no longer vomit every time I have a migraine (used to vomit every 10mins or so, for days). I should say that I sufferer from Chronic Daily Migraines. During the summer while my Neurologist was on holiday, they came back with a vengeance, so the blocks definitely help me. Not to say they help everyone, of course.

As far as pain goes... yes there is a bit of pain, but considering all the needles I have had over the years, IV's in the ER, or shots for Demerol/Morphine, it really isn't a big deal. They put a pain killer in with the steroid, so that kicks in quickly. They only downside I have noticed is that it really bothers my neck muscles. I have problems with them all the time, so they are tight. Sticking a needle 1" into through the muscle aggravates them, so I schedule a massage appointment, with someone I can trust, that doesn't bring on migraines! Oh - and you can hear it going in.

I think that is about all. Like I said, I get them every 3-4 weeks now, and while it isn't perfect, it helps me substantially.

Best of luck,

Sara

[shello28]

Hi there. I have had GONI's twice... The first time it was like a miracle and was completely migraine free for 4 weeks, sadly, had them again 3 weeks ago and havent worked at all. I have been told that the more painful the procedure the better the outcome , last time it wasnt as uncomfortable as before. It all depends on whether they find the right spot to inject. Been offered botox but for now am still on nortriptyline, codeine and morphine if unbearable.

Good luck.

[Pattipan]

I had GONI last February. My neurologist said they just use local anaesthetic as they had "proved" that the addition of steroid isn't necessary! There was a ward of us and I was the last to be "done". The guy on the couch opposite passed out, which wasn't very encouraging, although I heard his wife say reassuringly that he was a terrible wuss! Nice to have a supportive partner. I found it a bit painful at the time, though surely any of us migraineurs have an abnormally high tolerance of pain anyway? Then there was just numbness and a curious feeling of not knowing where my head finished which persisted for about 10 hours.

February was my best month this year for number of triptans taken ("only" 12). Ironically, I had four consecutive clear days culminating in jab day! Most of the episodes after that were what I score as level 2, which means the Zomig kicked in after two hours or less to clear the worst of the pain. I had a couple which persisted much longer and were more painful, two days and a week after the jabs.

However, since then I have gone back to my average of 17 or 18 Zomig (dose of 2.5mg orodispersible tabs) per month. When I spoke to my Neurologist for a phone follow-up at the end of May he agreed that the GONI hadn't worked for me and put me on his Botox waiting list (2-3 months, I was told at the time. After several phone calls I've now been told I should be up for the Botox in January.

Good luck with it - I'm told it can be very effective, but mainly for people who haven't been having migraines for as many years as I have (43).

Patti

[teadrinker]

It didn't work for me. But it wasn't the worst procedure involving needles I've had done. Botox isn't that bad either. Just close your eyes and take some nice slow deep breaths.

Just don't watch the clip on you-tube of it being done. I'm serious - please don't even be tempted to watch it. (Maybe afterwards you could. But not before. Take it from one who was silly enough to do so!)