Has anyone had a nerve block? I have heard that helps the most but not sure of the procedure or cost etc Any help would be appreciated.. thanks

Hi, I am diagonised with 'Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia' and my doctor wants to block the nerve that is causing the pain. I have a few questions also before I have it done. Will let you know what I find out.
Myrna

hello to both of you,
This info was found under the useful websites listed at the top of this room here. I hope it helps. I am sorry you both are going threw such ugly pain but glad you have found us here at neuro talk. I cant have anything like a nerve block but I too have heard it helps pretty good when done by a doctors who has done them and has a good "track" record .tho it is not a ever lasting solution unless you have it each time after the block wears off.
I wish you both the best with you efforts in controlling ,and getting relief form this pain.
Peace
BMW


Introduction

Often a group of nerves, called a plexus or ganglion, that causes pain to a specific organ or body region can be blocked with the injection of medication into a specific area of the body. The injection of this nerve-numbing substance is called a nerve block.

How Are Nerve Blocks Used?

Different kinds of nerve blocks are used for different purposes.

Therapeutic nerve blocks are used to treat painful conditions. Such nerve blocks contain local anesthetic that can be used to control acute pain.
Diagnostic nerve blocks are used to determine sources of pain. These blocks typically contain an anesthetic with a known duration of relief.
Prognostic nerve blocks predict the outcomes of given treatments. For example, a nerve block may be performed to determine if more permanent treatments (such as surgery) to block the activity of a nerve would be successful in treating pain.
Preemptive nerve blocks are meant to prevent subsequent pain from a procedure that can cause problems including phantom limb pain.
Nerve blocks can be used, in some cases, to avoid surgery.

Types of Nerve Blocks

Various areas of pain require different nerve block types. Below are a few of the available nerve blocks, followed in parentheses by some of the parts of the body for which they are used.

Trigeminal nerve blocks (face)
Ophthalmic nerve block (eyelids and scalp)
Supraorbital nerve block (forehead)
Maxillary nerve block (upper jaw)
Sphenopalatine nerve block (nose and palate)
Cervical epidural, thoracic epidural, and lumbar epidural block (neck and back)
Cervical plexus block and cervical paravertebral block (shoulder and upper neck)
Brachial plexus block, elbow block, and wrist block (shoulder/arm/hand, elbow, and wrist)
Subarachnoid block and celiac plexus block (abdomen and pelvis)
Other Nerve Blocks

Other types of nerve blocks include:

Sympathetic nerve block: A sympathetic nerve block is one that is performed to determine if there is damage to the sympathetic nerve chain. This is a network of nerves extending the length of the spine. These nerves control some of the involuntary functions of the body, such as opening and narrowing blood vessels.
Stellate ganglion block: This is a type of sympathetic nerve block performed to determine if there is damage to the sympathetic nerve chain supplying the head, neck, chest or arms and if it is the source of pain in those areas. Although used mainly as a diagnostic block, the stellate ganglion block may provide pain relief in excess of the duration of the anesthetic.
Facet joint block: Also known as a zygapophysial joint block, the facet joint block is performed to determine whether a facet joint is a source of pain. Facet joints are located on the back of the spine, where one vertebra slightly overlaps another. These joints guide and restrict the spines movement.
Side Effects and Risks of Nerve Blocks

Elevated blood sugars
Rash
Itching
Weight gain
Extra energy
Soreness at the site of injection
Bleeding
Death (in rare cases)
Although many kinds of nerve blocks exist, this treatment cannot always be used. If your pain isnt related to pain in a single or small group of nerves, nerve blocks may not be right for you. Your doctor can advise you as to whether this treatment is appropriate for you.

Hi. i had nerve block no 13 last wk, i find them very helpful with the pain i have in head & face. i have "occipital neuralgia" caused by brain tumours.
i have them abought every 8-9 wks. they are of aneasetic but also some steroids, i certainly feel better this wk after having it done again.
i can`t say abought price as i live in the u.k where we have the n.h.s
hope this helps
sophia

Forget the nerve block and try what I did. I went to the health food store and got these Herbs and my Horrible pain is gone. Doctor wanted to block my nerve also and didn't do it. the two bottles of Herbs was $19.99 each.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Glossopharygneal Neuralgia)PAIN FREE IN 4 days
The name of the Herbs I took I got at the "HEALTH FOOD STORE" in OKC One is: "SERENITY" BY GAIA HERBS . The herbs included are:Skullcap herb 60 mgt--Passionflower vine 60 mgt--Kava Kava rhizome 60 mgt--Chalomile flowers 45 mgt--Wild Oats milky seed 27 mgt--Hops Strobile 24 mgt--Mugwart herb 15 mgt--Peppermint leaf 9 mgt. (1 PILL 3 TIMES A DAY with a small amount of warm water)

The other one is: "ANTI-FLAM" BY Crystal Star
Break the pain-spasm cycle with a releiving blend of 18 whole herbs. GOTUKOLA HERB for nerve pain---WHITE WILLOW BARK for releif--GINGER as a catakyst--JAMAICAN DOGWOOD for pain control---------------------------WHITE WILLOW Bk-------JAMAICAN DOGWOOD Bk-------ST.JOHNS WORT Lf-------WHITE PINE Bk------ECHINACEA a. Rt-------GOTU KOLA Hrb----DEVILS CLAW Rt------RED CLOVER Blsm----TURMERIC Rt. ext.------LICORICE Rt.----- BURDOCK Rt----MEADOWSWEET Hrb.----- ALFALFA lf.-----CHAMOMILE Blsm.----- DANDELINE Rt.----GINGER Rt.---- UVA URIS Lf.----BROMELAIN (2 PILLS 3 TIMES

Nerve blocks for every nerve! (almost!) lol
I didn't see Occipital Nerve block in the list!
I have found the ON block helpful for me.
Hopefully a TN block is helpful to others...
Why can't you have a nerve block, BMW?
Do you have a reaction to them?

~Jaime~

Jaime how you doing? no I didnt see that type of block either when I posted the info
yes reaction and too the pain doctor and two neuros told me geting a block could cause more damage because I have plates on each side of lower jaw and I also have wires and leads from back of head and along right side lower Jaw. well I have wires from under left arm across back and up to my neck also all part of my stimulator. but I am doing (and will keep doing)better then I ever have with out it as long as the leads can be snaked down and they dont slip off any farther.
Peace and tons of low pain days Jaime! Catch you soon , hang in there .
BMW

Has the pain stayed away, I guess you are in the US, I wonder if you can get the equivalent in England? How severe was your pain? Many thanks

Hi daisy ji,
The pain is still gone and yes I live in Moore, Okla. My pain was like knife cutting pain. Like the pain from my corpal tunnel surgery without any pain killer. I didn't deaden and they went ahead and done the surgery. I believe my neuralgia was from the trauma from it. That was the 27 of Dec. 2007 and the neuralgia started somewhere around two or three weeks later. ** Mine is called: Glossopharygneal Neuralgia which affects the ear and throat.

hi can u tell me what kind of nerve block u had i am suppose to get maxillary nerve block i am scared with steroids i am havinh pain on upper right jaw