Hi Jamie,

I also was diagnosed with Occipital Neuralgia this year.. Have been having numbness and scalp tenderness issues for the last couple of years. They thought it was MS but..
I had an episode of extreme stabbing pain and tenderness. that confirmed the ON .. good to have a diagnosis at least.

The only thing that knocked down the pain was an opiad based drug. I am off that now and taking Neuontin (200mg at morn, lunch, bedtime) and Aleve. It seems to reduce pain and sensitivity. Still have some stabbing flashes but they are not as intense.
Neuontin makes me sleepy and foggy.. Reactions a bit slower.. daydreaming more. Seems to get better as my body tolerates the drug more.
My Neurologist wants me to work up to a higher dosage of Neuontin eventually.

I have tried cymbalta, nortriptylin and I did not like the side effects and did not feel they were helping me.

The best thing I started to do was to keep a health log documenting how I feel and how the medication is effecting me. It is very nice to go back and see trends from that info.

Good luck

Thanks for the reply,

I haven't tried that many meds yet, but the neurologist always seems to want to try anti-depressants, and one I tried recently was Amitriptyline. It has so many horrible side-effects, and didn't really help the pain much anyway! I couldn't stand it after nearly 2 months, so, stopped taking it.
Don't know what he will try next, I'm still waiting for my appointment!
But I wish there was something that would help, but not make me so drowsy/sleepy all the time. But it seems like every strong med for chronic pain, makes you sleepy!


~Jaime~

I'm still trying to find the right meds. Now I've been prescribed Topamax, which is usually for epilepsy, and now migraines. I wonder if it will work for Occipital Neurlagia? I haven't started it yet, but I hope it helps, but the long list of possible side-effects scares the hell out of me!

~Jaime~