Cortisone Shot for Occipital Neuralgia
 

Anyone try it? Have success? How much did the local anesthetic hurt going in? Did you need someone to drive you home after?

I'm supposed to get one next week and I'm hopeful it will help, but a bit afraid it won't and the shot will be for nothing.
Starr

My husband has had one (in the back of his neck). He said it wasn't fun by any means, but he was able to drive himself home. It was better than the constant debilitating headaches. He was really tired and slept most of the evening. It worked for him. He doesn't know what caused his headaches that eventually prompted the shot, but it worked.
Wish I had a concrete answer for you, but it depends how you tolerate pain and individual reaction.

Every time I have had a cortisone shot, the doctor used a very fine needle for the local anesthetic. The doctor can add some sodium bicarbonate to the zylocaine to reduce the sting of the zylocaine. It is just momentary. Not like getting a nerve block shot right into the nerve root. Had that done a few times. Ouch, but then quick relief.

Often, the best at procedures like this are anesthesiologists.

Hope you have a good experience and good result.

Had my shot today... it was absolutely no big deal. The rehab doc and nurse had made a big deal about it on my last 2 visits, how I'd definitely need a ride home, how it make 9/10 people vomit and faint... but it was *nothing*.

No different than a simple vaccination shot... very routine.

I didn't notice any instant relief with the local anesthetic like some people apparently get, so I'm hoping that doesn't mean it won't work for me... the full effects of the cortisone will take 3-4 days so I'll sit tight and see what happens.

But seriously... they way over hyped it. I have a tiny bit of swelling there tonight and am using some ice on it... but even with the swelling its not even really uncomfortable.

Mostly, its like nothing happened. :confused:

Starr