Hello all, new to the forum. I've been dealing with occipital neuralgia for the last 10 years of my life. And just about a year or so ago, i started having facial pain as well. I'm a 29yo guy who is expecting a baby boy this wednesday and i'm STILL unstable with this condition. Unsuccessful nerve blocks, had RFA last friday, on tegretol at this time but on low dose bc of zombieish feeling when at high dose.

I was pain free for the first 5 years while on an ssri antidepressant, then one day the pain just came back. i tried other antidepressants after but nothing worked longer than 6 months or so...gabapentin and lyrica seemed to work a little but made me sleepy and lethargic all the time. I am considering trying cymbalta bc i heard it helps for nerve pain also..does anyone else get the extreme dull pain, pressure, stiff/tight feeling, sometimes burning/stinging (occipital)? I have a full time job and its been really really hard to go to work with these symptoms and am expecting a son in 4 days!!! Please help!!!

I wish I knew something that could help. Hang in there and hopefully you will find something soon that offers relief.

Congratulations on having a baby boy, though. What a blessing!

Yes, this is hard, and with kids it is even harder. I'd like to tell you that there is something definite that helps. but 26 years on and with a 24 year old and a 26 year old. I'd be lying to you.

I don't know what there is to help except to live life one moment at a time. That is all you get in reality. Somedays really really suck, and some are brilliant. Find that tiny space where you can survive.

Good luck with the baby. they are their own great joy.

I have RSD/CRPS and had a great experience with Cymbalta, but after a few months it became impossible to continue taking it due to severe stomach pain. Over the years I've tried many meds for nerve pain, and Cymbalta was the best of the bunch. I even retried it a year or so after to see if I could figure out a way to avoid the stomach issue, but it was still impossible.

Hopefully you'll have a positive response! Good luck.