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Doctor insights on: Tests For Occipital Neuralgia

Comments: You do NOT have trigeminal neuralgia, unless it recurs, as unfortunately, once it starts, it can be unbearably frequent. Do not think you have MS or a brain tumor if you had just one day of facial pain. But might see a dentist, and check for jaw or tooth issues. ...Read more

Anticonvulsant drug: Carbamazepine was found to be effective for trigeminal neuralgia and has been the most prescribed medication for management this disorder. A relatively new anticonvulsant, Neurontin, (gabapentin) is now considered a first line drug for trigeminal neuralgia along with carbamazepine. ...Read more

Sometimes: Both may be used; each has a response rate about 50%. Other primary meds include Carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine, with a response rate of 70%. And, there are many others to try. If pain is not controlled, or side effects are intolerable, a procedure should be considered. ...Read more

Last one day ?: Could you describe what exact was the symptom? Did you experience it continuously for one day ? MS can be cause of trigeminal neuralgia many in young patients... Brain tumor can cause pain the face, but it is usually accompanied by some findings in the neuro exam ...Read more

Many: Over the counter remedies include zostrex cream-a cayenne pepper extract that will burn your eyes like tear gas. There are a number of medications including Lidoderm patches-a local anesthetic applied to the unbroken skin, a number of different meds of the anti-epileptic class like lyrica, (pregabalin) neurontin; snri antidepressents like Cymbalta and Pamelor work at the spinal cord level, . ...Read more

Occipital neuralgia: Occipital neuralgia is a neurological condition in which the occipital nerves (the nerves run from the top of the cervical spine up through the scalp) are inflamed or injured. Occipital neuralgia is characterized by severe pain that begins in the upper neck and back of the head as well as chronic headache. ...Read more

Trigeminal neuralgia: There are a number of medications available that treat TN in addition the Gamma Knife, a radiation source has also been added to the treatment protocols. ...Read more

Yes indicated: Herpes zoster ' shingles' after blisters healed in some will have severe disabling pains will lost for months and months which most likely you have involving one of the trigeminal nerve branch, the virus stays in nerve root for ever. Image guided cervicothoracic sym. Ganglion block along with t.N block most likely will help your pain , is relatively low risk procedure in trained hands. ...Read more

Possibly: Stellate nerve blocks are often used to treat peripherial nerve problems caused by injuries or trauma. They are designed to block sympathetic nerves. The trigeminal nerve is a cranial nerve, that does not go through the spine or neck, so i don't know if the stellate block would help. The sympathetic nerves do contribute to eyelid motion and facial flushing, so it may be worth a try. ...Read more

Rarely: sometimes you can see a vascular anomaly like an extra loop or an aneurysm causing compression on the CN5 but in most cases mri/mra brain come back normal ...Read more

Yes: Low B12 levels can absolutely make neuralgias worse; if corrected, they can improve neuralgias. It is a "rule-out" test, to try and determine the etiology of your trigeminal neuralgia. ...Read more

Tic douloureux: Trigeminal neuralgia is a more modern term for tic douleureux. ...Read more

Not usually: Newer leading research indicates that it is an enlarged blood vessel - possibly the superior cerebellar artery - compressing or throbbing against the microvasculature of the trigeminal nerve near its connection with the pons. Such a compression can injure the nerve's protective myelin sheath and cause erratic and hyperactive functioning of the nerve. ...Read more

The frontal sinuses: behind the eyebrows so it is possible. Make sure you are not getting referred pain patterns that could originate in the neck by the atlas (C1) as often it does refer to eyebrow pain. Get a second opinion from an osteopathic doctor too to correlate the findings. The osteopathic adjustment can help clear sinuses, and referred pain. Anything residual will be some other diagnosis that warrants workup. ...Read more

Discuss: With your eye doc or neurologist.

Yes: Yes. Strong chance of relationship. See ENT doc with special expertise in sinus problems for management of chronic sinusitis. Resolve chronic sinusitis and see what happens to infraorbital pain. "Burning" pain is difficult to treat. If no resolution, see orofacial-TMJ doc. ...Read more

Clinical exam: Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition where sharp, electrical pain affects the face along one or more of the three branches of the trigeminal nerve. There is typical and atypical types of trigeminal neuralgia. Your neurosurgeon or neurologist should be able to examine you and make a diagnosis. Brain MRI scans are usually done to make sure there are no tumors or ms. ...Read more

No: Citalopram is ineffective for trigeminal neuralgia.

ESR and clinical: Sedimentation rate and clinical judgement.

Highly: I perform this procedure. In my experience, greater occipital nerve decompression is highly effective. Over 95% of patients who I have performed this surgery have complete relief of symptoms, and it is immediate. Occipital neuralgia is very debilitating and commonly a cause of migraine headaches. In reality it is a nerve compression of the greater ; lesser occipital nerves. Nerves cause pain. ...Read more

Occipital neuralgia: Occipital neuralgia is a neurological condition in which the occipital nerves (the nerves run from the top of the cervical spine up through the scalp) are inflamed or injured. Occipital neuralgia is characterized by severe pain that begins in the upper neck and back of the head as well as chronic headache. ...Read more

Sharp pain in back: of head at base of neck to scalp and can radaite to behind the eyes, cause unknown but trauma, tight muscles stress, lack of sleep or food bets is to get mri of head to be sure no tumor, then take excedrin , next try gabapentin[antiseizure meds] ice pack and or heat , rolled towel behind neck , let head fall back over towel to ease tension , osteopathic or massage therapy, physical therapy ...Read more

Possibly. Try to: talk in a comfortable position with your neck not bent at an angle,and see if this helps. ...Read more

Nerve irritation : This condition is an irritation of one or both branches of the occipital after exiting from the base of the skull at right or left suboccipital regions. It is thought to be primarily a consequence of cranial muscle contracture or spasm around the nerve. ...Read more

It is possible: only if neuralgia is secondary to another condition, it may eventually resolve on its own. ...Read more

Discuss: With your eye doc or neurologist.

Typical: Unilateral occipital head pain, usually of a burning or electrical nature, associated with a pain trigger at base of skull behind mastoid bone, and perhaps local numbness over the distribution of the Greater Occipital Nerve of Arnold. Would further discussion via Concierge visit provide assistance? ...Read more

Highly: I perform this procedure. In my experience, greater occipital nerve decompression is highly effective. Over 95% of patients who I have performed this surgery have complete relief of symptoms, and it is immediate. Occipital neuralgia is very debilitating and commonly a cause of migraine headaches. In reality it is a nerve compression of the greater ; lesser occipital nerves. Nerves cause pain. ...Read more

Nerve pain: Occipital neuralgia may at times be secondary to nerve root irritation in the upper cervical spine. For cases that fail to respond to blocks, I have successfully used peripheral nerve stimulation. It is a form of implanted device and can work extremely well. ...Read more

Any NERVE: mediated pain may respond to TENS however Occipital Neuralgia more often responds to interventional injections (steroids/BOTOX)
Hope this is helpful!
Dr Z ...Read more

Many: Medication & therapy are the joint "first line" treatments, as they are with other nerve compression syndromes (like carpal tunnel). However, as the disease progresses, surgical nerve decompression becomes necessary to treat the disease. ...Read more

Pain management : You should see a pain management specialist. He can recommend you a range of options including desensitization, PT, neuropathic pain meds, blocks, radio frequency, stimulator ...Read more

Definitely, yes: Occipital neuralgia involves the greater and lesser occipital nerves located in the back of the scalp and can produce neck pain as well as headache with radiated pain to the top of the head and behind the eye. ...Read more

Occipital nerve bloc: Occipital neuralgia can result in headaches on top of your head. I would see a pain physician and explore the possibility of getting an occipital nerve block injection with steroids. Another alternative are botox injections in the occipital area. Finally for patients refractory to such injections, occipital nerve decompression performed by a surgeon can be very effective. ...Read more

All,of it: The occipital nerves supply sensation to,the skull. Is the greater occipital Nerves are irritated, pain can be experienced over the top and into the eye. Lesser occipitals cause pain in the shape,of a banana over the top,of the ears and sides of,the skull. There are good treatments for this. See your local,pain Doctor. ...Read more

Sounds ok: "Barely hit my head" sounds minor enough that nothing should become of it. As they say, "Don't sweat the small stuff," but do worry if one gets a giant smack on the head. ...Read more

No: Both cause pain, but have different origins. The occipital neuralgia is an irritated nerve pinched by a muscle spasm. The aneurysm is a bulging out of a blood vessel wall. You can treat occipital neuralgia with massage and ice. The aneurysm will need an interventional radiologist. ...Read more

Very very rarely!: Different types of neuralgia can be seen in ms including occipital neuralgia. Almost all of the time, these occur in patients who have already been diagnosed with ms. It is extremely unlikely for it to be the presenting symptom. Most likely you have already had a brain MRI for your headache. If that is clear, i say chances are very very low that you will go on to develop ms. Hope this helps! ...Read more

Similar Pains: Sometimes the facet joint nerves can connect with the occipital nerve causing both. Sometimes they are separate issues altogether. Generally speaking extending and rotating your neck with cause facet pain syndrome and pressing on the back of your head may cause occipital neuralgia. See a pain specialist to help you determine the difference between the two. ...Read more

Home remedy: Message area gently, Apply ice pack, use very soft pillow.If does not get better, see neurologist. ...Read more