Has anyone had any experince with nerve blocks. Have they been helpful, or not? How long have they lasted?
My Neurologist is going to try a nerve block in the occipital nerves, (I have Occipital Neuralgia) next week. I have never had them before, and I'm very nervous! I really hope it helps. But I hope it doesn't hurt too much, because I'm a wimp when it comes to needles! lol

~Jaime~

Hi Jaime
I have had 9 blocks to date, usualy every 8 wks.
I find they have helped with the pain, but of course not taken it all away
but has been worth having them, i`m due for my 10th sept 3rd.
I won`t say it is pain free on having it done but over quickly, your head
will feel like a block of wood for a few hrs.
It is not usual to have a reaction but i do for 10 days or so & am bed bound for around 3-4 days but sleep & sleep. pain consultent thinks it`s the steroids that do it. i must say i`m in the minority having this reaction but
telling you so if it happens you understand why.
I like you have occipital neuralgia [ mine due to pressure from tumour ]
I am 74 yrs so these things do tend to cause more upset than if i was younger plus i have many other symptoms.
I wouldn`t keep having them if they hadn`t been of benifit would i ?
Good Luck & let me know how you get on Jaime.
Sophia

Hi Sophia,

Thanks for sharing your experience with nerve blocks. You have had quite a few!
I hope I don't have any bad reactions to them, that is the main thing that worries me. But if they help get rid of the pain for 2 months or so, I'll be happy!

~Jaime~

Well, I saw my neurologist today. But I'm rather annoyed because he changed his mind about giving me a nerve block! He wants me to try another medication for a month, first! It seems that he sees a nerve block as a last resort, after meds! So, I got all worked up for nothing, and told everyone I was getting the nerve block...now it feels like I lied! So frustrating when Doctors decide what they think is best, and not let us make the choice!

~Jaime~

Hi Jamie.
So sorry you got all worried for nothing this time, but if another med will help it`s worth trying, seems like we have to take notice of these [Gods]
Let us know what your new med is ?
Love Sophia

I had a block that lasted 2 hours. Worked great, just wore off way too soon. I do not believe that this is the normal response though!

I hope you find relief! What is the new medication?


BTW, that is such a cute picture of yourself!

My Neurologist put me on a low dose of Amitriptyline, this time. I have taken it in the past in a much higher dose, and couldn't handle the side-effects. He thinks a lower does would work better for nerve pain, I'm not so sure, but I guess time will tell!
Anyway, I'll check out the other threads on that med...


If you mean my picture?....that isn't really me! It's the "real" Jaime Sommers, the Bionic Woman! lol

hI Jaime,
My pain consultent has me on 25mg of amytriptaline which i take at night
it does help with sleeping for me. he also has me on 1800mgs of gabapentin, 25 mgs of methadone all these for pain.
I am due my next nerve block on the 3rd sept. they do last me abought 5 wks am really ready for my next.
I see my neurologist next weds. I saw my neuro surgeon 4 wks ago & had
my usual c.t. scan but was rather worried has he wanted another scan 2 wks later, however the tumours hadn`t grown but he wants another scan in
6 months time so still worry.
Oh dear! life isn`t easy is it?
We can just pray &try to keep smiling.
Sophia

Hi Jaime,
Just wondered how you were getting on with the amitryptaline,
I had my 10th nerve block last wk & my reaction wasn`t has bad this time.
At the moment is helping the pain [ but never helps the eye pain ]
I`m just hoping it helps me over my hols starting 26th sept to 17th oct.
Take Care
Sophia uk

Hi Sophia,

I'm still taking the Amitriptyline, but it doesn't seem to be helping all that much. It felt like it was working for the first 2 weeks, but now I'm not so sure. I get more fluctuations in pain level than I did before (some days very little pain, and the next, the pain is high!), and I get more scalp pain and sensitivity. It seems to be stirring up the nerve endings, rather than dulling the pain. I go back again to my Neurologist on Wednesday, so I will discuss this with him. Not sure if he will do a nerve block this time, I don't want to get my hopes up too much this time! lol

~Jaime~