Anyone had Greater Occipital Nerve Bl... - National Migraine...

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Anyone had Greater Occipital Nerve Block for Migraine??

Oamanda6 profile image
13 Replies

I'm due to try this in June as having a terrible time with my migraines and having to come off my Topiramate and Amitriptyline as I am TTC.

Has anyone has a GON? Has it been effective? How painful was it?

Any info and advice would be amazing thanks.

Amanda x

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Oamanda6 profile image
Oamanda6
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13 Replies
Claire27 profile image
Claire27

Yes, I had one in 2013. I didnt find it painful - just a little prick when the needle went in, and then a strange sensation as the liquid was injected, but it was fine, I was pleasantly surprised! I also felt fine afterwards, walked out of the neurologist's office and got the bus home with no problems. The back of my head felt numb and very strange, but it wasn't unpleasant, nor were there side effects.

For me the effects were amazing, but short lived. I had no migraines at all for just over 2 weeks - and then it wore off. This means I'm not a good candidate for having it on an ongoing basis unfortunately.

Good luck with yours!

skullsandponies profile image
skullsandponies

I'm due to have this in a few weeks for the first time. I'll keep you posted!

Pattipan profile image
Pattipan

I had this in January 2013. My clinic just used local anaesthetic not steroids as well. Bit of a squelch as it went in, but not painful (although the man in the cubicle opposite passed out when he had his a few minutes before me!)

Numb head for a few hours but no ill effects, but it didn't work for me at all, beyond focussing the next migraine pain on the punctured places!

I've had Botox since (on the NHS) - 3 lots over the past year, which has been much more effective, enabling me to reduce Zomig consumption from average 20 a month to 4 or maybe 5 - and none at all in February.

No prizes for guessing which treatment I'd recommend!

Good luck - GON may work for you. Patti

shello28 profile image
shello28

Hi there!

I have had 7 rounds of GONI... Each one with different results. ! First one was the best i think and i have just cancelled my next one booked. I am not sure if they work any more for me , however, don't know just how bad the migraines would be without them! - hence why i ahve cancelled the next one.I find them pretty awful but some people seem to feel no pain and have no side effects. I also think it depends who administers the injection.

Good luck, hope they work for you!!

Oamanda6 profile image
Oamanda6

Thank you so much all of you. I'm a bit less nervous now and feel more positive. I'm not overly worried about the pain as let's be honest nothing is as bad as migraines.

My consultant also mentioned a type of helmet is also used but I forgot what it was called. I'm having to come off my topiramate and amitriptyline as I'm trying to conceive, so I'm hoping this will work.

seawarrior profile image
seawarrior

I had the injections about a year ago and the effect lasted for about two weeks. They were virtually painless but I've heard that the more painful they are the more effective they are. I guess it depends how close to the actual nerves the neurologist gets. if he hits the nerves spot-on, I imagine that they could be very painful, the up-side being the effect would last longer.

sardine profile image
sardine

Hello

I had it in November. The procedure was completely pain free but it did not work at all for me. But it doesn't mean it won't work for you. Good luck!

I have been having them for almost 18 months now and although they were for neck pain originally, they completely stopped the horrendous migraines I had been suffering.

asdfghjkl12 profile image
asdfghjkl12

Just had my second lot of nerve blocks, got to be honest I found it painfull especially the second lot but its working brilliant for me depends on the individual I was told its a bit hit and miss works for some not for others but I was willing to try anything by that point and I have found it stopped mine completely worked for about four months so well worth trying good luck 😊

hmbuss profile image
hmbuss

I HAD GON IN LONDON HOSPITAL M Y MIGRAINES GRADUALLY IMPROVED. HAD THEM EVERY SIX MONTHS FOR TWO YEARS. I STILL TAKE NARATRIPTIN VERY OCCASIONALLY

skullsandponies profile image
skullsandponies

So - had my first nerve block yesterday. Was expecting it to hurt but it really didn't was just an odd sensation and I guess uncomfortable. They filled up 2 syringes and gave me a few injections on either side. The placement was higher than if been expecting - sort of back of your head but higher than your hair line.

Afterwards I felt very hot and a bit faint (when I used to give blood is have the same experience) but quickly recovered in 5 mins and hopped on the 1.5 hr train ride home with no problems.

My doctor informed me that the anaesthetic would wear off in about 4 hours and then the back of my head would hurt and I'd probably get a migraine. That was true and last night I went to bed early.

This morning I don't have a migraine but feel a bit heady and the back of my head feels a bit sore. The left side feels a bit swollen too. The doc said I should have a good few weeks of being migraine free if it works for me so we shall see. She wants me to use it to try and not take any triptans in the next 2 months as I've been starting to rely on them more and more and taking too many (I've had medication overuse headache before which was hideous and had to go cold turkey!)

I got mine through the National Migraine Centre. I paid for it and it was £400 (which included first consultation as I hadn't been there for about a year). I had 3 rounds of Botox on the nhs through the NMC so as I could afford it - thought I'd pay privately this time. I'll keep you posted on how it goes! When is yours booked in and where are you having it?

evonycins profile image
evonycins

Hi I have horrible migraines as well, but they are lessened now by propranolol and toprimax, however a young GP wants to do a nerve block in the office. I an a bit concerned as she is not a specialist showed me a youtube video ideas anyone.

Stace79 profile image
Stace79 in reply toevonycins

NO don't let her you need a specialist as they know the right points to injection

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