I never knew this was here. I have ON from the auto accident I was in. I was getting real bad migraine like headaches and finally I went and my doc injected some anesthetic and finally gave me a diagnosis of ON. I get them constantly from sneezing or like this morning just stretching my neck. I get a pain in my ear first and then it starts.

I used to be embarrassed to say this but it happened and I can't hide from it. I had ECTs for depression and my pdoc said it might help with the ON. But it didn't. I haven't had the nerve to get the nerve block done because I'm terrified of needles.

Jamie did the nerve blocks hurt?

Me BP,

The nerve blocks aren't pleasant and I have had several different types done; trigger points, facets and selective nerve root injections. But I will say this much...my PM uses a lot of numbing medication so it isn't horrible. I think it depends on WHO is doing it too. The first PM's I had were actually Residents so it took them a lot longer. My newer PM is fast and of course uses flouroscopy. There are times all I felt was pressure and other times; only twice that I can think of it where it was pretty uncomfortable. But the thing was, for me anyway, I was ready for SOMEBODY to just take my head off. So, when you are having that much severe pain, you just do not care if they ram ten needles in your head. It was so bad I lived for the days I could get the injections because I knew I would get relief. I have no experience with a stimulator because I really needed a fusion and eventually had that done...actually two of them. But there are times that I need injections at other levels. And, well, some people prefer the meds to needles. I prefer to have the injections and keep meds low. But everyone is different. And as my PM says, no one LIKES getting injections and he gets them himself for his own neck (he has two fusions as well). And I know he can't take pain meds since he isn't allowed to. And he has also told me that no amount of oral anti inflammatories can get that deep and to the source. I have found that to be true as well. Prednisone might help a little bit. But for the regular nerve meds, they just never did touch that ON pain.

It hurt a little bit the first time I had it done, although I think my Neuro was really careful. But I was glad when it was over, because I hate needles! The 2nd and 3rd time I had the blocks done, it seemed to hurt more, because he palpitated the nerve too much before the needle went in! But, I'm prepared to put up with a few minutes of pain, to be rid of the nerve pain, because the blocks work well for me!

~Jaime~

Hi
Went to my Pain clinic this wk & after having had 14 nerve blocks done,
my Doc. decided i`d been on them long enough also suffered enough
having them & still suffering pain.
He has now given me "versitis patches" i belive these are very good but
i`m not sure if i should place them on my face. tried last night with 2 small strips, 1 the side of my forehead & 1 lower down side of cheek. but didn`t manage to keep them on for 12 hours, they should be 12 hrs. on & 12 hrs off. will try putting 1 on the back of my neck when i`v got used to them, 18 mths ago my Doc said No to patches as they can`t go in your hair [won`t stick] just can`t see how they`r going to work unless i have my hair cut off.
Anyone out there had these for occipital neuralgia ?
Regards SOPHIA.

Hiya, I'm pleased (if that's the right word) that I'm not the only person who has been diagnosed with ON following a car accident.

I'm booked in for nerve root block injections on Monday next week. It's being done under a general anaesthetic, so at least I won't feel anything at the time. I'm really hoping that it'll get rid of my headaches and migraines.

Does anyone know how long these injections are likely to last? I'm being sent for physiotherapy 2 days after the injections and then once a week after that. I think the specialist is hoping that the injections followed by the physiotherapy will fix the problem full time...............but maybe that's just me being optimistic!!!

HI Jane,

I use the patches for my TN as well as ON. I cut them in small strips and place them on the most severe pain. For the ON, yes I need to place it in with all the hair I have found if I cut them small enough, they work well and stay on the scalp. I also put a larger one at the base of the skull, it seems to help. Best of luck!! Nikki

Thanks Nik-Key keep trying them but don`t seem very succsessful but won`t give up yet. i am down to have another nerve block but that isn`t until 25th sept my pain doc is away on hols. until then. i know these patches are having a great impact on so many people in pain regards sophia

Well, I've just had my latest nerve block. I had it done on Wednesday by my neuro. It's just starting to work now, just on 2 days later.
I can feel my pain level dropping and my mood lifting already! lol
~Jaime~

That is wonderful news Jaime! How is working now? Hope you are still getting relief

Yes, it's still working well, thanks. That's one less pain to deal with anyway!