Question 1

iam suffering from severe headache for last 1 month. i took ct scan and diagnosed as occipital neuralgia. i took optaligin 500 mg but no use. can you please suggest any treatment for my headache..?

Accepted Answer

: If you truly possess "occipital neuralgia", and occipital nerve block bilaterally may help.  But would obtain a second opinion from a neurologist regarding diagnosis and treatment.  There are many migraine medications, and newer CGRP items are spectacular in some, but may not work well with neuralgia; Lyrica, gabapentin, Cymbalta may be choices.

Question 2

ive read intercostal neuralgia can be caused by stress/anxiety is this accurate? 
numb/tingling comes and goes starts in upper ab/ribs, sometimes spread to back, mostly stays in front. 
ive been to dr, had ultrasound/bloodwork. physical therapy rec?

Accepted Answer

Need to examine: It is not feasible to provide a meaningful opinion without taking additional history, physical examination and may be some tests. It would be prudent to see your doctor and discuss if you may be depressed. Counter-intuitive as it may seem, exercise may help. Start with low intensity exercise such as walking and gradually increase the intensity as tolerated. Drink more water. Wish you good health!

Question 3

are there any successful treatments for occipital neuralgia complex?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Medicines, injections, and surgery can each have a role in the treatment. Non invasive treatments like physical therapy could be helpful too.

Question 4

what are the causes and treatments for occipital neuralgia?

Accepted Answer

Many options: Occipital neuralgia is a condition in which the nerves which run from the top of the spinal cord up through the scalp, which are called the occipital nerves, are inflamed or injured. This may cause pain in the back of your head or the base of your skull.
Symptoms will improve or disappear with heat, rest &amp;/or physical therapy, including massage, anti-inflammatory medications &amp;
 muscle relaxants.

Question 5

what are possible treatments for unilateral occipital neuralgia when combined with very tight muscles all over?

Accepted Answer

Please read below: Nonsurgical treatment
the goal of treatment is to alleviate the pain. Often, symptoms will improve or disappear with heat rest physical therapy including massage, anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxants. Oral anticonvulsant medications such as Carbamazepine and Gabapentin may also help alleviate pain.
Percutaneous nerve blocks.
Microvascular decompression
occipital nerve stimulations.

Question 6

i am 27 yrs old. i have 2 bulging and hernited disc with nerve pain. i have one surgery done but is getting a test done to see.. if i qualify for a disc replacement. i have tried a total of three injections, like a year of physical therapy. is this surger

Accepted Answer

Disc : Disc replacement surgery can be very successful in the properly indicated patient.  That may or may not be you, its not possible to decide with the limited information you have provided.

You should discuss the discogram with the physician who is performing the procedure.  There is some pain involved which is part of determining the results.  In other words, the test is looking at whether or not your pain is reproduced, and at what pressure.  Keep in mind there is some variability in the interpretation.

At 27 years old you would be wise to maximize your non-operative treatment prior to considering any more surgery.

Question 7

continuous nerve pain /weakness that started in left hand all the way to my shoulder and collar bone for 10 month.the right arm/hand also started to hurt but the pain comes and goes.the emg and mri came back normal.physical therapy didn't help much?

Accepted Answer

: By the symptoms you describe and the works-up you have gone through, I assume you have been thoroughly evaluated by a neurologist. If you do not have a satisfied answer to your condition, you should seek a second opinion with a neurology team at a tertiary, academic center. Good luck.

Question 8

what type of infection causes occipital neuralgia?

Accepted Answer

Occipital pain: Occipital neuralgia is usually mechanical /pressure. Rarely inflammatory - autoimmune disease or infection like  early shingles ( rarely respiratory) could cause occipital neuralgia . For shingles  acyclovir/ prednisone may help. MRI  C spine/brain checks for pressure/ autoimmun  f/u w/ MD

https://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Occipital-Neuralgia

Question 9

had a traumatic brain injury 4yrs ago.been trying to cure my constant headache.i think i may have occipital neuralgia.how would i diagnose this?thanks

Accepted Answer

PCP...Neurologist: 17 y/o female says, Had a traumatic brain injury 4 yrs ago. Been trying to cure my constant headache. I think I may have occipital neuralgia. How would I diagnose this? Thanks.  Injury seemed to have happened when you were technically pediatric/ Adolescence age group. Should first see the PCP or Pediatric Neurologist for evaluation before anything else.  The sooner the better. Wish you well soon.

Question 10

i have occipital neuralgia, ddd & scoliosis. very likely have eds type iv. base of head feels like a vice & unexplained bruising behind r ear.? help? i have ferrous metal clips-mri? chiari?

Accepted Answer

See pain management: I am assuming that you are most bothered by pain. Eds is not curable but by itself does not cause pain. Your pain can be controlled by a pain management physician with a cocktail of medications or injections.

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Doctor answers about:

Types of physical therapy treatment for occipital neuralgia

A member asked:

Iam suffering from severe headache for last 1 month. i took ct scan and diagnosed as occipital neuralgia. i took optaligin 500 mg but no use. can you please suggest any treatment for my headache..?

A member asked:

Ive read intercostal neuralgia can be caused by stress/anxiety is this accurate? numb/tingling comes and goes starts in upper ab/ribs, sometimes spread to back, mostly stays in front. ive been to dr, had ultrasound/bloodwork. physical therapy rec?

A member asked:

Are there any successful treatments for occipital neuralgia complex?

A member asked:

What are the causes and treatments for occipital neuralgia?

A member asked:

What are possible treatments for unilateral occipital neuralgia when combined with very tight muscles all over?

A member asked:

I am 27 yrs old. i have 2 bulging and hernited disc with nerve pain. i have one surgery done but is getting a test done to see.. if i qualify for a disc replacement. i have tried a total of three injections, like a year of physical therapy. is this surger

A member asked:

Continuous nerve pain /weakness that started in left hand all the way to my shoulder and collar bone for 10 month.the right arm/hand also started to hurt but the pain comes and goes.the emg and mri came back normal.physical therapy didn't help much?

A member asked:

What type of infection causes occipital neuralgia?

A member asked:

Had a traumatic brain injury 4yrs ago.been trying to cure my constant headache.i think i may have occipital neuralgia.how would i diagnose this?thanks

A member asked:

I have occipital neuralgia, ddd & scoliosis. very likely have eds type iv. base of head feels like a vice & unexplained bruising behind r ear.? help? i have ferrous metal clips-mri? chiari?

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