Hello all

I just wondered if anyone had any tips or advice on simple and effective pain relief for the short term until I have the injections next week?

I have tried things like paracetamol, but they don't seem to have any effect on me

My other question is about sleeping..............I get off to sleep okay generally, but get woken up by the pain in my head and occipital nerves. I think it's when I move about in my sleep and end up in awkward positions. I have tried an orthopedic pillow, but this seems too hard to be comfortable, and I don't know if there are alternatives I'm sticking with the orthopedic pillow at the moment - but any other ideas would be welcomed.

thanks again

Charliebubs,

Funny you should mention this. I woke up at 1:53 am this morning with zaps and zings and pain. I get facet injections today at the C2/C3 level. Anyway, what I normally do and I also have a cervical pillow, is to take half of a Vicodin and use ice or heat; depending on which gives me the most relief. But last night I didn't want to wake up my husband so I just slathered Biofreeze on that whole area including my scalp. I don't know what they sell in the UK but over here it is Biofreeze or Freeze It. It is just a gel that is similar to Icy Hot only much better. I don't think it really does much of anything medicinally. It is just that the cooling gel keeps the pain down as ice would. Other than that you could try a soft collar; that sometimes help as you can rest your chin on it if your muscles tighten up in the occipital area. ON is sooo hard to treat and I don't know what pain meds you have available. If nothing else, you could try an oral anti inflammatory; those sometimes help. Oops, I should have clarified. Use MOIST heat only...not dry. And sometimes I have just filled the tub with water as hot as I can get it and then just lie back and let it nuke that area.

Good luck with your injections!

Thanks so much again Kathi - you're an angel

The doctor gave me Diazipam and Coedine, but to be honest I don't take them frequently as they totally knock me out and zombi-fy me - which isn't great when I have to get up for work

He did also give me something else to help me sleeping (I'll have to check the name) but that doesn't seem so effective for me.

I'll try and find some cooling gel sold over here and give that a try. Thanks for the advice.

Good luck with your injections today too

Its bizarre, but I've actually fell asleep sitting up with pillows propped behind me. Its really sad but at times, just lying down regardless of pillow, brings on the pain.

Ellena

That's true Ellena. Any kind of pressure on the back of the head can be so painful. I might try to sleep sitting up tonight

Charlie
x

I've never been able to sleep sitting up, because I can't stand the pressure on the back of my head/neck. I always sleep on my side because of this, and that's a bit difficult to do while sitting almost upright, it's bad on my back! I sleep with 3 pillows most of the time now.
~Jaime~

I often take paracetamol with codeine when I go to bed, which helps for a few hours at least. Just paracetamol doesn't even touch my pain either. My nerve block is starting to wear off too, but I have to wait another month before I can get it done again!
I don't really have any advice regarding the sleeping, because I don't sleep very well myself! lol I wake often in the night, with pain but mostly with dizzniess when I turn over in bed. I can't sleep on my back because I can't stand pressure on the back of my head/neck. I use 3 pillows, but they are just ordinary soft pillows. Probably not the right sort, but they are comfortable.
~Jaime~

I'm usually sitting up and resting on my side, if you can imagine that. I find that once the ON is set off, it doesn't mattter if I'm on my side, the pain just keeps going.

Take care, Ellena

Hi yes they do have some kind of cooling gel over here. as for pillows i have 6 & mostly sleep sat up. meds they mostly give are the antiepilepics they are very good for pain also amitryptaline is good in the small dose at night & that helps me off to sleep along with a sleeping tab.
just been talking to my pain consultant today abought meds he was going to increase one but gave me a nerve block instead " wow "
Have you got a good pain Doc?
Take care Doreen

I bought a large gel pack and keep in in the freezer. When my head is really hurting, I slip the gel pack into my pillowcase. It's about the same size as my pillow. Then I lie on it and it seems to help some.

I also have hydromorphone pills and they help too, along with a sleeping pill. I try not to take sleeping pills too often though-I don't want to have a problem later.

I hope you get some relief.