Nerve blocks, or Nerve stimulator?
 

Hi I know this is a new forum, but hope others will show up soon. Thank you BMW for asking for this forum to be added:hug:

I start yet another series of nerve blocks for my bilateral ON on the 28th of this month. I HATE them, but they do bring relief.

I was wondering if anyone has had the stimulator for this? And if you have, would you mind sharing your experience? Thanks in advance, Nikki

Hi,
I haven't yet had any experience with the nerve stimulator. I have been having the nerve blocks, (left side only) and so far, they have been working well for me. I'm sure the stimulator will be my next move if/when the nerve blocks stop working. But for now, I'm getting at least 2 months or more relief from the blocks, so I can't complain!:D

~Jaime~

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. :o

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.

near the very bottom of column left hand side...

http://www.aans.org/education/journa...21-6-intro.pdf
also this site which mentions neuro stimulation for O.N.

http://www.fpa-support.org/aboutfp/N...imulation.html

I didn’t realize they had any info about neuro stim for treatment of O.N.
I have neuro stimulator for my t.n. anesthesia dolorosa ... the implant is not much trouble at all. Same day surgery. it is not near or on..connected to my brain or anything like that. . . it is just under my skin. I bet if you contacted someone from the link they could help with anyone who has had stimulation for o.n.
And of course I will help if I can ;). :hug: :hug:
PEACE BMW

Wow.....happy to see this forum here.

I've only had a nerve block once so far......waiting to get into the pain clinic again. It definitely helped with my headche. I have no problem with lower trigger point injections, but I'll admit, the ON block smarted. Half of it was probably mental.....the thought of the needle going in right over the bones back there grosses me out.

I'll be interested to hear about anyone who has tried nerve stim for this.

hello all my name is Frank I have MS and as of late severe headaches, I go for my first never block on june 2, hope it works wonders

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~

no more nerve blocks
 

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!!! :rolleyes::winky:

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 :eek: 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

Just an update...
 

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:hug:

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

Fantastic! Glad to hear it. My last block was a total disaster, I haven't been brave enough to try it again. But, so glad it is bring you relief~ Nikki

Me too! We're in the same club.

If you go to youtube and search ON, there is a 2 part vidoe of a guy with ON getting an ONS. It's interesting how well he did.

:)
Hi Jaime
are you still doing o,k with your blocks ?
pain specialist has taken me off versitis patches as they were not doing any
good. i am now back on nerve blocks, had one today he is trying to get aeneasetic right into lft side of my face my pain being all in lft of head & face.
just had 5 docs watching & nurses trying to hold my hands as though i hadn`t had them before. not feeling good tonight & can`t lie down hopefully will be o.k in another couple of days.
regards jane

I'm glad to hear about someone who has had the stimulator inserted. I was diagnosed almost a year ago with ON and have been getting the injections every 2 months (or sooner depending on the pain). Because of this, the doc informed me of the option of the stimulator because he doesn't feel comfortable doing the injections so frequently. I really just want the pain to be gone. It hurts to lay down, drive, dance, or pretty much do most things, depending on how bad the pain is that day. I was wondering...do you notice the stimulator on a daily basis? Can you feel it or is it something that is very subtle?

thanks! and btw, I'm new to the board. So glad to have found you all!

-Ash

Yes, my ON block is still working. It's almost 2 months now, and I'm still getting good relief. The warmer weather seems to help too.
I hope the block you had soon starts working.

So, I watched the video and I must admit, it kinda scared the crap outta me. I have been referred to a guy who does the ONS and will probably be getting it done soon after exhausting many other techniques (and mind you, I'm only 20). Anyways, I'd appreciate any advice, guidance, etc. about the procedure.

Thanks!

RSD and Seizures...??
 

My cousin, female 32, has RSD. It is localized to her right foot and leg. She says
it flares every few months. It is flared now. It burns, she says. Most of the pain is
in the foot she broke two years ago. When she had her first nerve block, she experienced
her first seizure. Now she has seizures every couple months. She doesn't jerk. She just
seems to pass out briefly, then, she doesn't know who family is for a few minutes. Her
speech is usually slurred too. Do you think this is from the nerve blocks? Also, how
intense is the permanent nerve stimulator? She is afraid to get one implanted.
Thank you

:hug: hi cheryl.

abbie, one of our mods, noticed you post and thought you may get more replies on our rsd forum. here is a link to you post that was copied there.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ad.php?t=56835

Ons
 

I saw my pain specialist today and she is actively working on getting approval and funding for me to get an ONS. She said the gov't has approved a few for Angina pain and she is working on seeing if they will actually reallocate one of them for me.

While I would be glad to have the pain be gone permanantly, I am starting to feel a bit scared at the idea of having wires in my head and a battery pack in my abdomen.

ON is not for wimps! *laughs* I am only 37 and I think I'm too young to be dealing with the crud too! Especially since I was also diagnosed with MS this spring. How much more can a girl take? I spend far too much time at the hospital. I am hoping if I do end up getting this ONS, it would mean LESS time at the hospital.

Jane, my doc gave me hydromorphone to take at home for the pain following the injections. It helps alot and is an every 4 hours thing. Also, I lie with my head on an icepack after I get home and that helps the tenderness in my head. I have injections every week.

Sorry you are not feeling well. Just know you're not alone-I can totally relate.

*hugs*:hug:

prairiegirl, I have a neuro stimulator one lead is in back of head the other is lower right jaw area. You try it before they implant it.If you have questions or would like to talk let me know ,You can message me or I pop in and out of here to check on a couple pals that have o.n. your right it isnt for whimps or sissy.I have T.N. ...Anesthesia dolorosa and that is what my neuro stimulator is for the horrible face pain. it is not approved by the gov yet but it is a last resort when meds no longer work. :(
I hope everyone here is having lower pain levels and a nice weekend.
:grouphug:
PEACE
BMW

ON and Facet Blocks
 

I am so glad to have found this forum. I was diagnosed with ON stemming from a car accident over 7 months ago. I've had headaches/neck pain ever since the day after the accident.

I'm finally seeing a pain specialist after all this time and last friday I had my second round of Facet Blocks. They put me under a general anesthesia for the procedure. My PS tells me that he usually see's a 70%-80% improvement by the 2nd procedure. Unfortunately for me, the relief is only temporary and I go home with more neck pain then when I walked in there. It takes quite a few days to get even a little better, but by that time I'm in the office for my next set of injections (once a week for 3 weeks).

Has anyone else experienced this with the Facet Blocks? Little to no relief? I feel like my Dr's aren't actually listening to me when I'm telling them where it hurts. I really just want this to go away.. I can hardly remember what it's like to live day to day w/o some sort of neck/head pain.

Has anyone had a different procedure done to which they received a more noticeable result (relief)?

Thanks,
Lisa