ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Headaches => Topic started by: Captain Deb on June 16, 2008, 06:53:46 pm
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Hey folks!
Well, I just had my first nerve block done by an anesthesiologist last Wednesday. Hurt like hell for 2 days but now I'm off like a racehorse, doing things that would have had me knocked out previously. Now someone please tell me why my neurologist didn't send me to this guy 5 years ago? I'm beyond fuming. Did he think that it wouldn't at least help? Granted it would have been way expensive considering the pain clinic the anestheiologist works at doesn't take my insurance (or didn't at the time--yay Medicare) but that's my call, don't ya think?
Anyway, my last headache neurologist at the headache clinic (different guy than the one who referred me to the anesthesio) gave me some injections--about 20 of them at once all over my head, but they seem way different than these suckers. He gave be about 2 right in the old occipital nerve, and then two more sets of 2 where my incision area "fires up" when I'm getting a migraine. Actually, who knows if they are even really migraines--they have migraine symptoms, but maybe they are really "headache attacks."
I asked the anthesio if he was familiar with the term "scar neuroma" and he said "yeah--sore scar"
So anyway--so far so good--I don't know how long it will last!
Capt Deb
Voodoo dollhead!(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee60/Captdeb_photos/skull_sword_through_head_lg_clr.gif)
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Yeah, Capt Deb! I am glad that you are feeling some relief. This answers the question as to where your pain is coming from. (Outside the skull, rather than inside.) This is a huge step in the right direction. The source of your pain is finally being treated.
I get the impression that there is a little bit of a turf war between the pain clinics and the headache clinics. They have different approaches. (Kind of like radiation vs surgery for ANs.) Also, treatment of pain has come a long way in 5 years. Before, it seemed to be anybody's guess what was causing these headaches. I think recently, the occipital nerves and scar neuromas are finally being recoginzed as a source of long term post AN surgery headaches by some doctors.
Janet
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Outstanding news, Capt! ;D
I'm sorry that this relief has been so long in coming, but at the same time I'm thrilled that someone has finally found the remedy you needed!
Here's hoping the block lasts a good long time!
Jan
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OK - Seems like good news I am pleased for you
can you help us with the what, why, when, and how ?
Basically what nerve have they blocked ?
- and for how long
It seems to have helped you -
I guess there are others would try it ?
Best Regards
Tony
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Would like to cheer you on Deb and pray for continued pain-free days for you. You certainly have been through the "ringer" what with dx's of migraines, meds, and the "gee don't know how to help ya's" and it's about time you can experience freedom! Let your creative juices flow, now get back to doing that which you are great at--living life to it's fullest!
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Capt. Deb,
Glad to hear that you have your mojo working. May it last a long time.
Regards,
Rob
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I've had two nerve blocks. The 1st one I did get some relief but the 2nd one I didn't. Mind you I do have a scar neuroma and the injections were along the scar and in the neuroma. I have been having a lot of pain. I cannot put my hair behind my ear because it kills. Sleeping isn't great because I can't sleep on my left side. I have been having terrible headaches again with the pressure behind my left eye. I see my Dr July 31st. All I can say is I'm so glad I'm not working at the moment, I wouldn't be able to handle it. Now it is my Dr who is injecting me. I wonder if I should be going to a pain clinic. My Dr did say he needs to remove the neuroma and scrape down the bone. Has any one heard of this?
Capt Deb,
I'm so glad you finally have relief!!
Anne Marie
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Anne Marie,
Pressure behind the eye is symptomatic of occipital nerve irritation. (My scar neuroma and occipital nerve were both firing.) I would feel more comfortable going to an anesthesiologist at a pain clinic for a nerve block. They seem to have the most experience. It is within their specialty.
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YEA Capt Deb!!!
I am so glad that you have some relief - it was a long time coming! Hope this will work for a good while!!
K
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Captain Deb, I am so glad you have found some relief. Enjoy, enjoy.
staypoz
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OK - Seems like good news I am pleased for you
can you help us with the what, why, when, and how ?
Basically what nerve have they blocked ?
- and for how long
It seems to have helped you -
I guess there are others would try it ?
Best Regards
Tony
Like I said, Two shots in the occipital nerve and 4 more along the incision line (middle fossa) where it fires up when I'm having a migraine, just above my ear. The doc said he doesn't know how long they'll last because patients respond differently but he's hoping for several months. BTW I just got the bill for $700 and Medicare is picking up 80%. Today I spent all day helping Dr Love paint trim on a house we're selling--something I thought I'd never be able to ever do again. ALL DAY!!!!!! How about THAT!!!
Capt Deb(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee60/Captdeb_photos/emoticon___pirate_by_anya1916.gif)
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Wow, Capt !!! Painting the trim on the house - very impressive.
It sounds like this nerve block is really working. And Medicare picking up 80%! That's fantastic!
Life is good :D
Jan
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I'm betting that your Dr Love is also loving this. It is not everyday that you can get someone to paint house trim all day, and be excited about it!
It does sound like magic to me, and all about where the shots go. What magic potion is in the shot, anyway?
Steve
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It's called Depomedrol and is a form of prednisone. I went back on Thursday and had another injection on the left and one on the right just for the heck of it. I actually feel like my old self again. He also prescribed a cream with ketoprophen in it for my neck that our local compounding pharmacist whips up.
Dr Love and I are off to the beach for a week to do some windsurfing and kiteboarding and shagging (the southern beach music dancing kind of shagging, you morons!)
Wish me luck!
Capt Deb(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee60/Captdeb_photos/skull_sword_through_head_lg_clr.gif)
Voodoo Doll Head
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I am SOOOOOO happy that you have finally found some relief!!!
Have fun playing!!
K
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Dr Love and I are off to the beach for a week to do some windsurfing and kiteboarding and shagging (the southern beach music dancing kind of shagging, you morons!)
Why, Captain Deb, are you accusing us of having dirty minds? :o :o :o
You know us all pretty well, don't you? ;)
Hope you and Dr. Love have an excellent time ;D
Jan
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Yeah - I had a nerve block performed yesterday and last night was the first night that I've slept straight through for a long time. My surgery was performed 7/7/06, so I just "celebrated" my 2nd anniversary. The nerve block made my head feel like a wooden block, but I prefer that to the pain I've had every single day. The doctors at the Hopkins headache center have tried all combinations of medications and that hasn't done anything except make me tired and stupid. When I go to bed- I really do "have a headache". The nerve block won't last long but it identifies where the headaches are originating.
I'll keep you informed. Stay Poz - I've contacted Dr. Ducic, but I"m not sure I'm ready to have another surgical procedure of any kind unless there is a 100% guarantee that I'll be as normal as I was before surgery.
Marjoryb
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Hi Marjoryb,
What nerve did they identify? Is this thought to be a scar neuroma?
I have to tell you that the surgery is no big deal. My scar neuroma is 100% fixed. The occipital nerve surgery is 80% fixed. Honestly, I would do it over again in a second. I was very hesitant before surgery and realized afterward that I worried for nothing. It is all superficial. The skull is not touched. Dr Ducic knows what he is doing.
Keep us posted!
Janet
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Capt Deb-
Your nerve block is performed much like I get botox. These helped me a lot for the "scar neuroma." (you might try botox as well) But for me, I believe I have scarring on the inside as well!
Here's why:
-botox injection last summer. don't last more then 6 months, but clinic had scheduling issues so I couldn't get an appt before 6 months.
-Dec 2007 head pain increases each day.
-Jan 2008 I try to get the pain clinic to schedule botox
-Feb 7 2008, such a bad headache I can't stop throwing up-- have to go to the ER. They do a spinal tap and I get a spinal tap headache=blood patch!
-late Feb, get a new botox injection all around up and down the auricular nerve.
-mid-March feel like I'm getting a cold or something. Swollen glands etc.--- this internal irritation ramps up my head pain and I do the vomiting thing all over again and land in the ER.
Now I feel I'm dealing with adhesions on the dura or cerebral arachnoiditis because I know I have scarring from the epidural abscess. I'm waiting for an MRI authorization. I've now waited 6 weeks. I was literally the last patient my neurosurgeon saw 6 weeks ago. He became disabled and unable to dictate a note to send to carrier. I'm sorry about his illness and I'm hoping to get the MRI so I can find out if I something that is progressing.
Capt Deb, I'm glad you are likely dealing with local external cause to your pain. Your right, weird they didn't get you going much sooner. Hope you read the "Intractable Pain Manual" I linked. Helps to know how important it is to control the pain. One time I told my then PCP how I felt she was under treating my pain. Those are like 'fighting words' and her eyes grew larger! Try that if you find it necessary!
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I really feel like my headaches have multiple components, like I have some stuff going on both inside and outside the skull. I get headaches that are both triggered by movement and exertion and some that I just wake up in the morning with that don't seem to be triggered by anything. When I saw my surgeon at the Symposium in Philly he told me that when they went in there that I had a really tight dura. He hasn't done any follow up with me except by phone because I flew across country to have my surgery at House in LA.
If I get a cure for these things and my medicare pays for it, do I lose my disability benefits because I'll be found cured and fit to work again?
Capt Deb 8)
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Well, Capt Deb bought a bikini and a new boogie board (a red Slick Stick) and spent all week in the surf with the teenagers getting pancaked by mother mother ocean. What Fun! The last time I tried that I caught one wave and came out of the surf crying and spent the whole vacation up in the room with a headache. I even made Dr Love swim out to the break with me. Alas I had no fins and the waves kept pushing me back into the trough after each ride. Enough headache-envelope pushing. Surfing the shoreline was fine.
We also took a boat out to Shakelford Banks for a day of beachcombing and exploring. No way to get back to the car till they come get us hours later. Played on the beach all day and swam like dophins in the beautiful water. Hour drive back to the condo. Yeay me! Not even THINKIN' about the dreaded brainwreck!!!!!!!!
All hail Dr Douglas and his big needle fulla Depomedrol!!!!!!! Never, NEVER, coulda had this much fun without him!!!!!!!
Capt Deb(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee60/Captdeb_photos/pirate2.gif)
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Capt Deb~
HOOOORAY!!! So glad you had such a wonderful and PAINFREE vacation!
You deserved the break!!
K
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Wow, a bikini AND a boogie board 8)
You're a braver soul than I am Capt. Deb ;)
I'm so happy this nerve block is doing the trick ;D
Jan
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BTW got the bill for the nerve block! $700 for the pain clinic and $500 for the doc fee. They did not take my old insurance. Only pain clinic in town. I would have had to pay for the whole dang thing. Which is why I never went. Thanks to Medicare my total bill was $50. YIPPEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
Capt Deb(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee60/Captdeb_photos/pirate2.gif)
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Cap't Deb, I am so happy that you have had some "normal" times lately. You really do appreciate the good things in life, when you are pain free. I feel your joy clear over here! Thank God, somebody finally thought of something to help you. I hope your good fortune continues and that this is the "beginning of a beautiful friendship" with your new meds. Praise the Lord and pass the Depomedro! ;D
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.
Sue in Vancouver, USA
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I have known of your incredible journey with head pain and I am so glad you FINALLY found someone who could help with that! Here's to a very pain-free future--cheers!
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Capt Deb,
So glad you are doing better. Maybe I should try depomedro. I'm crying here in mega pain. My neck and shoulder are spasming and my the pain behind my eye is stabbing.
Well I guess life goes. Another battle to fight. One day when I grow up I want to be pain free :o
Anne Marie
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AnneMarie,
Have you ever gone to a pain clinic? I think the Depomedrol shot in the occipital nerve is pretty standard treatment for occipital neuralgia-like symptoms, which we all seem to have in scads! I don't know how long this last shot will last or if Medicare will keep forking over the money to get them on an unlimited basis (too good too be true????) or if there is a limit to how many of these shots one can have over a certain time period (it is a steroid) but I will keep you all posted on my results. I'm still maintaining my meds at 1200 mg of gabapentin (Neurontin), down from 1800, and 100 mg of Topamax, down from 150. Tramadol and I are still pretty good friends at times. I hope you can find your way to find some relief soon--it is out there somewhere!!!!
Hugs,
Capt Deb 8)
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Capt Deb,
That is great news!!!! Sounds like you've been making up for lost time. I'm so happy for you. What a great feeling it must be to have finally found a treatment that seems to work like magic, only has to be done every few months, doesn't cost you an arm and a leg, and lets you be your wild, fun-loving self without fear. I hope Dr Love will be able to keep up with you!
Kathy
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Capt Deb,
I going to ask my GP about sending me to a pain clinic. Have you had an problems on the Neurontin? I'm freaked out because I've been on it since April and my cholesterol is now very high. I went off of it on Monday. I'm just taking Toradol at the moment. I have T-3's for break through pain.
I vaguely remember my Dr telling me he injected something inside of my scalp before he sewed me back up when I had my scar neuroma operated on a few weeks ago. I've got to call him. My GP is good for blood work and minor things but anything else I need the Specialist.
Thanks Capt Deb,
Anne Marie
P.S. Have you seen Sawyer around lately.....been watching the DVD's of Lost when I can't sleep!
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Glad you are finally gettting relief and having fun again...
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Hey HSers! (Headache sufferers) Had my 5th nerve block on Friday and by Saturday afternoon Iwas at my grandson's 6th robot themed b'day party, in my robot costume, doing the robot dance, with 18 highly entertained kiddies! NERVE BLOCKS ROCK!!!! I asked the doc to show me a medical illustration of the occipital nerves that he injects and where they travel to on the head, and BINGO!!! There is my headache zone!!! Although I can't figure out for the life of me how my headaches ended up there when I had middle fossa surgery. The illustration also showed where the doc puts the needles when he does the block--not fun and pretty sore for about 24 hrs.
Anyway this should allow me to have a good time in Florida and maybe a few less headaches or NONE on my trip.
Stay warm everyone!
Capt Deb the snowbird 8)
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May you be headache free, dear one, headache free!
Sue in Vancouver USA