Hello again,

I remembered seeing someone mention occipital neuralgia and it sounds a lot like what I deal with. Especially the location of pain in the neck (and overly tight muscles), types of headaches, and pretty much anything that I've seen listed with it, but I was wondering who would determine whether or not I have this (Neuro, PCP)? Are there tests that would be done?

I appreciate all the assistance with my questions and everything.

My Pain Mgmt doctor first diagnosed Occ. Neuralgia for me but then my Neurologist said that was not it. My thyroid doc said I had Fibromyalgia but my Internist said I do not. I had a car accident in 2006 that resulted in a mild head trauma. Occ. Neuralgia is exactly the description of my head pain symptoms. I had migraines weekly that would last days with shoulder/neck/scalp pain so severe I was not able to speak (no light sensitivity). Cymbalta caused me to have a seizure, Kadian helped a little, Flexiral just knocked me out, anxiety meds did nothing. In 2007 I went to a new Neurologist who gave me Topomax and my migraines went away instantly. I still take 100mg a day to this very day. I have no side effects except for slight tummy trouble but I have always had that so it may just be me. The reason my Neuro says I dont have Occ. Neuralgia is because he claims Topomax would not have relieved my symtoms if I had (its for a different type of migraine he claims). But it did help me and I was able to live again. I now take only Topomax and Avinza, which is very similar to Kadian, but only the lowest dose possible. There are no side effects for me with Kadian or Avinza but again I only took the lowest pain relieving dose possible. Good luck and if you are not getting results from your current doctors, find new ones as there are answers out there.

Thanks Kelli! I am actually switching Neurologists as well. The one I've been seeing hasn't really "cared" too much about my neck symptoms that I have had for 2+ years and he hasn't done any tests or anything with it. I was also in a car accident, mine was in 2008. You'd think (the logical thing to do) he would test just to make sure there aren't any other neck issues like Occipital Neuralgia, Whiplash, etc. I'm hoping this new one will be willing to test these things out.