occipital nerve block?

[Diandra]

hi all,
has anyone ever had an occiptal nerve block? it has been recommended by
a neurologist i saw the other day for daily headaches and facial neuralgia.

if you have had one, can you tell me about your experience please.

thanks,
diandra

[Kathi49]

Hi Diandra,

Oh, no, the dreaded "needle jockey" LOL! Just teasing. Yes, I have had the occipital nerve blocks at the beginning of my spinal journey and more than once. What they do is to palpate the greater and/or lesser occipital nerves and then place the needle NEAR those nerves to block it. I won't lie and say they didn't hurt but really, they are over with quick enough. I think the worst of it was hearing the rice krispie sounds as it punctured the scalp. But the PM I had at the time said it was from scar tissue. Say what???! But he explained that my scalp had contracted so badly over the years that actual scar tissue had formed. I know, I know, this sounds awful but believe me, they really aren't horrible..you will be fine. And I did get relief for a short time. The problem was...the neuralgia was actually coming from my cervical spine spine. IF I remember correctly those nerves come up out of the C2, C3 but I would have to double check. Sorry, I just re-read this and it sounds horrific. Just know they can and do help. :) Oops, and I don't know about the facial neuralgia other than my ex boss had TN. I know he was taking so many loopy meds that he couldn't stand it anymore; they took to blocking those nerves and eventually actually destroyed one...don't know which one though. He just said he couldn't feel his nose anymore but didn't care...was glad the horrible pain was over and done with.

[Diandra]

Hi Kathi,
That is what I was looking for so don't be concerned about it sounding horrific...I wanted your honesty. Did you have a series(like 5-10 injections)? This neurologist,
whom I have never seen before, said it would be much like the botox or trigger point injections I have had in the past and those were not bad at all.
Thanks, Diandra

[Kathi49]

Diandra,

Yes, more like trigger point injections. When I had them done it was around 9 years ago or so. And I don't recall them saying I would have a "series". But I KNOW I had them done more than twice. But as I said, it didn't take them long to figure out it was from coming from my spine.

[Superior Girl]

Hi Diandra,

I have not had the ON blocks for many years. However, I remember them well. I had many of them and they were very effective at the time of taking care of occipital pain. I have had many kinds of nasty injections and these were not so bad. I concur with the writer above about the experience of how it is administered and what it feels like. I also agree that the worst part for me was ALSO that crunchy noise. I recall it occurs when they actually inject the lidocaine (or whatever they decide to use in yours). After my first series was successful, I then had a standing arrangement that whenever the pain re-occured, I just had to call the anesthesiologist at the hospital to schedule the next injection (that was where mine were done).

I hope this helps. Good luck with your care, whatever you decide.

[Diandra]

Hi All,
I did have the ON block done and it really felt no different than getting a flu shot, it was so easy I could not believe I had worked myself up into a dither thinking it was really going to hurt. I guess the idea of getting an injection into the spot where the pain is the worst is what got me going. This doc also did about 8-10 trigger point injections all along the right scapula and neck where my pain is also bad.

The lidocaine worked wonderfully for a few hrs and then wore off and then some soreness for a day or two and then the steroids began kicking in and it has helped a bit, just kind of taking the edge off the pain....not as much as I hoped but any kind of relief is welcome.

Thanks for the support.
Diandra

[Maggie]

My experience is much like those others regarding the crunchy sounds, etc. I compared it to the botox injections but it really didn't hurt as bad as the botox did.
Mine was given for migraines but they gave no relief for them.

[gambles]

Oops, should have read all the responses!

[jtroy]

Ahhh yes, the 'ol occipital nerve block. I had a few a couple years ago...got some relief initially...but, within a couple hours my pain was right back to "normal"....I hoped that the steroid in his cocktail would maybe kick in at some point but never had any luck.

Like you I figured the block would hurt...but I was comparing the experience to when I had the cervical facet block which hurt like he__. I didn't mind the on block at all...just wasn't effective in my case.

Glad to see you got some relief even if it was short-lived...any relief is welcome.

Regards,

T. Jones, DVM

[Kathi49]

Diandra,

How are you doing now? I am glad to hear you received some relief.

jtroy,

I agree about the facet injections in the cervical spine hurting like he@@! They certainly can and then again, there were a few times it wasn't too bad. It's as my spinal PM says though...my facets are inflammed all the time. :eek:

Anyway, I just had a bi-lateral RF done at L3/L4/L5 and S1 yesterday. And it wasn't bad at all. I am just thinking of Mark's post when he said meds are odd. It never ceases to amaze me that they can run an IV of Versed and Fentanyl, I don't feel a thing and I just keep talking. Yet later on I just remember bits and pieces LOL! It is just weird to me, in other words, that I can be alert like that, chat, and not feel a nerve or nerves being ablated. Well, I know he uses a numbing med but you would think I would be knocked out but it just isn't like that.

[baabr]

another here that has had two rounds of facial injections; and again as others have said they only seem to be temporary