What I did find out was this... I've been getting a lot of nighttime headaches and when I told him my migraine meds weren't working on those headaches, he's diagnosed them (night time headaches on the right back of my head) as something other than migraines.(my migraines are right front face eye area always) Needless to say I was shocked. I just thought my migraines had changed somehow! Self diagnosis is probably not a good idea folks, leave it to the people who make the big bucks...
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The fix for now thank goodness wasn't too horrible and God willing will last as long as humanly possible, months hopefully. He took a reasonably large needle filled with medication (steroid) and shot it multiple times right into the nerve and surrounding area. Talk about a painful process, OUCH! It's called an occipital nerve block. Numbs the nerve, blocks the pain- that's after it stops hurting!!
I'm sleeping like a baby, with the help of that shot, a low dose of muscle relaxer and some daily neck and back stretching exercises. Before that, I was just a bit of a pain in the neck..hehe!
I'm told similar therapies are available in the spine and I know people who have gotten injections in their knees and shoulders. Does anyone have any experience with this? Just wondering how you responded.
This is very interesting. I've been getting a lot of nighttime migraines lately and I can't explain them. I'll think about this but I think it's the deodorant smell of the litter box upstairs. Fred bought some fancy crap and it's driving me nuts.
ReplyDeleteGood for you and thanks for the info.
m.
Hi Jen
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're sleeping better. I hope that is the problem and it can be kept under control from here on!! You must feel great, now that you are getting some good sleep without the headaches. That needle process must have been horrific--I am NOT good with needles.
We are in the city for the weekend. I'm doing my first 10 mile road race on Sunday. I am just walking it, but I hope to make good time and set a benchmark for next year. Our daughter runs it---she'll be in through the finish line and they'll all be tired waiting for me to mosey in....ha ha!!
Cheers!!
Thanks Kathleen, it's such a relief! 10 miles wow, walking or running that's a healthy distance... I know you gals are gonna do great, have fun :)
DeleteI had steroids injected into my lower spine when I slipped a disc (L5) and had severe sciatica. The injection was very painful, and it didn't help, so I needed back surgery. It turned out well, and I'm pain-free today, but I remember that injection. So intense! When a nerve is touched, it is the most sensitive pain. I'm so glad you are finding some relief. Sometimes drugs are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHi Jen, Ouch! I'm glad you've found a diagnosis for your "new" migraines. I have rheumatoid arthritis and I get something called cervicogenic headaches. They too are caused by arthritis in the neck, and the headache sits behind the right eye. I have never had an injection for it, but now I know that is an option if I get a really bad bout of these horrible headaches. ~Angela PS: I write a column on Everyday Health about RA. I have actually written about these headaches. Still waiting for the posts to be edited. I will share a link when they get published. :)
ReplyDeleteI read about those cervogenic headaches, and another thing called occipical neualgia, the second sounded like it might apply to me.
DeleteI appreciated the arthritis diagnosis(my neck is very crunchy and cracky, limited range of motion and pain)without a million expensive tests and being exposed to tons of radiation. Healthcare is expensive enough!
I hopeful this treatment along with the stretching will ease that nerve and I won't have to do this again in 6 months.
I would love to read your article Angela, and share it with my Mom. She also suffers from arthritis.
Very interesting that the headaches could be caused by your sleeping situation.
ReplyDeleteI need to look into what other things could be causing my headaches.
I really hope that it works for you friend. I have severe back pain and I get them every 3 months...but in my lower back. I can't even imagine getting them in my neck.
ReplyDeleteSo far so good kim. He told me this should last as long as four months, fingers crossed. I'm not sure why this has happened only this past year. I have to wonder if this is another little present from that dumb fall last year, like mrsa wasn't enough!!
DeleteI'm not due to go back to see him for six months so it better last as long as possible.
I'm glad that this helped you, but the thought of that needle just freaks me out. I think I'd be too much of a chicken to go through with it.
ReplyDeleteI would do just about anything for a good nights sleep! And although it was pretty tender for several days it was well worth it.
DeleteI'm weening off other meds and it is causing me to have migraines... night time migraines - but in the front of my head. Your whole needle in the back of the neck thing? wowzers.... it just freaks me out!!!! I hope your head feels better asap!
ReplyDeleteUgh!
ReplyDeleteI hope it keeps your headaches away for a long, long time!
I am SO grateful- so far so good! I've added a series of yoga stretching/exercises for my neck and back strength and arthritis, can only help.
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