Hi! I'm Jamie. I came upon this forum through a web search for Coping with Occipital Neuralgia. I finally spoke with my doctor on Monday this week and she mentioned the term Occipital Neuralgia to me as my diagnosis. I've been in pain for the past 7 1/2 yrs; same pain that I've described to every doctor that I've gone to. I even show them the spot that always hurts and it usually transforms into a headache or a full blown migraine. Anyway, I've had headaches and migraines even prior to 7 1/2 yrs. ago, but it was mostly hormonal, I believe, and didn't occur as often as since 2000. The reason is because I suffered a rare kind of stroke. It started with a vertebral artery disection, causing a blood clot to form and travel in essence. Thus, it caused a left Occipital Lobe Infarction. This means that I'm right peripherally blind in both eyes. I know I'm making this rather lengthy but if others out there that have been diagnosed with this Occipital Neuralgia need someone else to talk to and maybe find answers, maybe I can help them as well. I've been on many medications, including anti-seizure medicines, anti-depressents, anelgesics, opioids and narcotics. I hate taking medication, but sometimes because the pain in so bad I get that desparate. My husband, family, and friends I know don't understand what I'm going through because they haven't been through the above mentioned. All I've ever asked from them is support. Work can be difficult, especially since even my bosses get concerned about the medications that I take (not that it's any of their business). I know they have a business to run, but I also think I have rights as a person with a disability.

I will cut this short, but if anyone has any questions, I will certainly do my best to find the answer.

Best Wishes,
LuiigiPeach (aka Jamie)