That is a bit interesting to me, as it appears that my ON is caused by tightness in that muscle that runs down the neck and into the shoulder.
Always the left side. I call it the 'beartrap' as it bites and won't let go.
My new pain dr has referred me to a clinical physio who is now working out for me a long term home exercise/stretching regimen, which should result in getting some muscle tone back and breaking that cycle. He looks at the psychological, physical and pain as all being linked.
Some deep tissue massage also.
it should then help my mental state as I'm on the edge of depression from it all.
I actually do feel better just from having discussed it yesterday, and being given a plan to get me out of the pain cycle.
This is the first time that anyone has bothered to look deeper into my chronic pain and look for the cause, rather than just treat it.

I injured my occipital nerve about 5-6 years ago. I'll be honest. I walked into a Stop sign. Yes, you read that right. The sign was placed too low, and I was looking to the side and bang. the side/back of my hed got smashed right into the edge of the sign. I still. suffer with the pain in the nerve, and going down my neck from it. The solution my Migrain Dr. Had was novicaine patches. Which worked.... at least at the time of the injury. However, as the location is one that is covered with hair, and I am not willing to shave my head, I do not use them very much anymore. (They were a bit messy, and liable to fall off) Now I just deal with it.

My ON started when I was in my middle 20's (I am now in my late 50's).
I was adding shelving to my storeroom when a can of paint fell from a top shelf and struck me on the left side of my neck with enough force to almost knock me out. After that I started having "sinus headaches" that always affected my left eye and sinus area around the eye. I could always tell when the pain was about to start when my left nostril would stop up. The attacks were infrequent during the early days but as time went on I started with the severe pain in the back of my head (left side) along with the "sinus headache". The attacks slowly became more frequent (almost daily) and after 2 GP's, 2 Neurologists, Chiropractic and Acupuncture treatments and every medication known to man, I had my first lidocaine/corticosteroid injection just recently. So far it's been a miracle. I went a whole week with taking even one pain pill. I will go for more injections when this wears off and I would like to know that some procedure exists that would stop the pain forever. I joined the forum for more information on nerve blocks, nerve ablation,Botox injections and any other options I have to stop this pain forever. Can anyone tell me more?

I'm new here. I'm so glad to find other people that know what I'm talking about on this site. I try to tell my friends and co-workers that O.N. feels like being shot in the back of the head or else it's electrical zaps zapping all day in my head. And they look at me like I'm crazy. My O.N. was caused when I went on vacation to Yellowstone and I wore a baseball hat really, really, really tight for 10 days straight. I didn't feel like dealing with my thick hair every day, so I would put it up in a ball cap. My neurologist told me that I upset the Occipital nerves by doing this and I've been in pain for the last year. I'm thinking about accupuncture, but need to do more research on it. I'm getting really tired of going to the ER for the pain. The only thing that seems to help is muscle relaxers (Flexiril) and going on 3-4 mile walks in the evening. And I do not wear hats anymore!!!! I can not sleep on my back (with pressure on the back of my head). I can't wear turtle necks, heavy coats, nothing that will put pressure on the base of my skull or my neck.

Yes, it is interesting reading all these stories. O.N. and other neuralgia pain can be caused by so many things and happen in so many ways...

~Jaime~

Interesting, the baseball cap story. Because the cause of my ON (I think thats what it is) was due to me and a screen door colliding in some fashion. I hit it on the left side of my face right at the temple where the baseball cap lower part is. Had tingling and zapping for a while its lesser now due to the Neurontin. Feels like a spider was crawling around in side my scalp for a while there and like a sunburn all over my head, thats how I discribe it.
Some nites I sleep fine but some nights my head throbs. But seems like the tingling sensation is going away.

I too have ON. Mine came with a whiplash injury and cervical fusion of 3 levels. After the fusion, my ON headaches have been constant on my left side of my neck....relentless....never ceasing. Currently, I numb my pain mostly with morphine. I will be trying a Occipital nerve block in 2 weeks. Have you had any procedures? I have had epidurals, trigger pt. facet joint inj. to no avail....I only numb my pain...and thank God the drugs still work. I would love to chat someday....
God bless you. I am 54. How old are you? I have had Headaches since my daughter was born,...18 yrs. but severe for 7 yrs.

Beth

Hi Beth,
My ON pain is on the left side also. I have been getting the Occipital Nerve blocks for the last 18 months, and they work well for me. I haven't had any other procedures done yet, just the nerve blocks and a few different meds. I am 43, and have had ON pain come and go over the 12 years since I had neurosurgery to remove a cyst from my brain.
~Jaime~