Occipital Neuralgia

[steind2]

Had this going on two years now. Does anyone else have it as a pattern? Mine are every 5 days , rarely changes and lasts 12-22 hrs. Nothing helps. Also have tinnitus with it. Wondering if anyone else has anything similar. Thanks

Mogul, I really don't have it as a pattern but it never really goes away. Some days aren't so bad but others can be so aggravating. I have tinnitus with it also when it flares up.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

I recently just got diagnosed with this. I had a headache but localized to the area behind my ear, going into neck. So I first went to General Practioner he just prescribed me Flexeril. Well it didn't go away. So i made an appointment with a Head/Neck Surgeon. He diagnosed it instantly as Occipital Neuralgia. I was like HUH? He then rubbed the area and asked if it felt better, and it did. SO then he said he wanted to do a cortisone injection. Now I have had these in my feet, and knees BUT when he said HEAD, I thought I was gonna run out of that chair and to my car. But I said do it, because that pain just wasn't easing up and starting to consume me where all I wanted to do was sleep. ANd hello I am a mom and that is not possible, plus not a good way to live your life. SO he did it, and really it didn't hurt. I just didn't like the noises it made when the shot hit the nerve, kind of crunchy. Well after the shot the DIZZINESS stopped and yes I had that also. I felt great when I got home. The only side effects I had were that I couldn't sleep the ENTIRE NIGHT The next morning the pain was back but not nearly as bad. The doctor did say that some people need these in a series of three. SO I talked to the doctor on Friday and he told me to come in tomorrow, Monday. He also prescribed me pain meds with and without codeine, and to take the Flexeril in between the headache meds. Also he told me to get a massage to loosen the muscles. I am thinking that i don't need another shot yet. It has lessened but now it is real sore to the touch. I am going to go get a massage hopefully tomorrow or Monday and see if that helps. And then go back to doctor on Thursday.

Anyone ever have this done, any suggestions, as to what form of treatment you had...When I stress out it goes right to my neck and well now my head. The doctor didn't do any other tests. I did have a CT of my sinuses just days prior and he got results and said it was clear and I just finished with my yearly Blood work and that was all good. SO well sometimes when I get something I always think bad things but do believe this is just what he says because it is so localized, kind of strange how it just hurts in one spot.

Again any help or tips would be greatly appreciated. I just wonder when or how long does this take to completely go away, and am i now going to be prone to these?

I pop a couple of Excedrin (and if I'm out of those, Midol, IDK why but it works). I put an ice pack on that area and let it sit for about 15 minutes, while I am in the dark and quiet. Then I (or DH if he's around, but I can do it myself) rub from behind my ear and down the back of my neck in downward firm strokes. Almost like you'd rub down a horse, with some pressure. Ice pack back on/off and more rubbing as needed until the pain subsides.

ETA: and I just looked at the dates. Zombies for dinner, anyone?

 

[Kitty 34]

I pop a couple of Excedrin (and if I'm out of those, Midol, IDK why but it works). I put an ice pack on that area and let it sit for about 15 minutes, while I am in the dark and quiet. Then I (or DH if he's around, but I can do it myself) rub from behind my ear and down the back of my neck in downward firm strokes. Almost like you'd rub down a horse, with some pressure. Ice pack back on/off and more rubbing as needed until the pain subsides.

ETA: and I just looked at the dates. Zombies for dinner, anyone?

Yes I'll take two zombies over easy with hashbrowns smothered in ketchup and a couple of Tylenol.

 

[JaneyKissimmee]

When I have a flareup, I use a combination of Aleve, dark lighting (no sun or bright lights), cover the eyes, no noise and ice pack the neck (usually a bag of peas or corn, because they conform easier).

Once my skin is very very cold, I have DH or DD rub the base of my skull where I "knot" up. They have to stroke downward very firmly.

Once my skin starts warming, I have to reice it. I usually fall asleep for a while, wake up and start the whole thing over again. Takes about 3-4 hours, but then all the pain/nausea/dizziness is gone!

Just wanna say a big thanks to Jedana if you are still on the forum!
I've been using your ice & massage method, and it has reduced my neuralgia so much. Like from a 10/10 for 3/10 level of pain.

For anyone else with this awful condition, I've also been using a really good pillow for my Occipital Neuralgia from Clevive.com.
Worth trying.

Whatever you do, don't give up hope that your neuralgia will decrease.
I thought mine would only get worse but in the past year these things have made it so much better.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just wanna say a big thanks to Jedana if you are still on the forum!

Welcome to the dis, JK. Good you are feeling better.

I do doubt Jefana still frequents this board, her last post was 6 years ago, 2015.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

Welcome to the dis, JK. Good you are feeling better.

I do doubt Jefana still frequents this board, her last post was 6 years ago, 2015.

She was...'dis-ban-ded', shall we say?