I didn't want to tempt fate by adding a post before now, as I was feeling so good! In fact, undoubtedly the best ice felt for years! Even other people have commented that I look 'different'....'better'....'have that twinkle in my eyes again'! It's so good to hear that actually I didn't look 'right' when I was in so much pain.
After seeing my consultant a week ago, he was so relieved. He says I was the first person he had performed this procedure on, but that I should now forget ON for the time being and ..."to go off, get married and have babies!!"
If the pain returns then I can have a repeat of the same procedure and if need be, would still be a candidate for the permanent nerve stimulator!
For now, I am happy with that!!
I'm hoping it doesn't return in full force, but as the pain has totally gone but is just extremely low, then that may not be the case. That's ok, as I know there is still a plan ...but for now I shall try and not think about it.
The blog may be fairly quiet from now, as in order to move on with my life I don't want to dwell on what was or what might still be!
For anyone reading this blog, you can see there is hope!
New procedures are being discovered and you can get your life back in control!
All the best to all my followers!
I'll report back in a month or so to let you know how things are going by then.
Glad you are feeling better. I have been looking for a correct diagnosis on my condition. I have been suffering from headaches which seem to start from my neck where my neck muscle become stiff and start to ache which then turns into a headache. I have seen countless number of doctors and had many tests including brain, neck MRI. The current pain specialist I am going to see thinks i have ON and she performed a occipital nerve block but unfortunately it didnt go much good. My condition is not that bad - I get a mild headache daily for 3-5 hrs which finally gets better comes I take Gabapentin. I have read on some blogs that even if nerve blocks lessen the pain, that doesnt mean you dont have ON. Is that true? The headache I get every day I would rate that as 3 (10 being the worst). I have already read people get RFPA even if nerve block hasnt done much to lessen the pain. Would love to hear your thoughts on the aforementioned. take care,
ReplyDeleteOmer
Sorry for the delay in responding, my phone won't let me reply on here.
DeleteThe symptoms you mention sound like those similar to ON. All of my scans/MRIs/x-rays were clear but that doesn't mean there is nothing wrong!!
From my experience, I was told that nerve blocks are used as a diagnosis tool!! If there is some lessening of pain following a nerve block, however little or however long, then it shows that the occipital nerve is causing the pain, therefore ON is the cause of that pain. I had PRFA because I wasn't getting a long enough response from the nerve blocks. I got a response from both but just not for long enough for the nerve to essentially heal itself! :(
If you do have ON then I think you are lucky in that your pain level is generally a 3....that is me generally after a procedure. I can't get that low without any intervention, I am generally at a 6 but have got up to 8/9 before.
Sorry again for the delay. Hope that has helped you understand a little but more!?
All the best.
forgot to mention, I have been going through this for 2 years now.
ReplyDeleteDear Unluckygal,
ReplyDeleteDid you try and repeat PRFA after the relief you got last time you got it? How painful is PRFA? Is it as painful as getting a nerve block or more/less?
How long did the relief from PRFA last?
Hi Omer
DeleteYes I did have a repeat of this procedure in November, you can read about it in newer posts in this blog.
The second one has been very different. I initially only had a few weeks relief before it returned but not on too higher level but now 3 months on, it isn't too bad. I think the second PRFA took longer to settle and although hasn't given pain free benefit, it has lowered it quite a lot.
I would say this type of PRFA with the added muscle injection is the least painful procedure I've had...my head was completely numb afterwards on both occasions, and afterwards just felt very ached and stiff rather than pain. The other PRFA procedures I have had, which are different, we're more painful but not unbearable. I would sat that those are more painful that nerve blocks.
Hope that helps.,
How are things going for you?,