ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Headaches => Topic started by: Mei Mei on June 08, 2010, 04:19:51 pm
-
I went to a Headache specialist today and he gave me Verapamil for my long standing daily Post Operative headaches. He said it takes 3 weeks to take effect and to come back in a month and that it is used as a prevention for headaches. Has anyone ever tried this for their headaches before? What was your experience?
Mei Mei
-
You have to keep us posted on how it works for you...
-
Will do. It made me sleepy. I'll have to take it before I go to bed at night. It says on the internet the same thing. I had another headache yesterday afternoon filling out the Social Security forms. Just sitting at the table bending my neck for half an hour brings on a terrible headache. It took me two days to get the forms completed.
Off to accupuncture this morning.
Take care,
Mei Mei
-
Bummer, but you said it takes time for the stuff to start working so be patient. Hopefully you're keeping a headache journal, because with the different meds and treatments you want to try and see what is really helping. Funny the headache that you had filling out the forms sounds just like mine, but I don't get these anymore due to the nerve block. Hopefully you are still considering the block as a possible treatment? Its not a steroid treatment per say and there was only a tiny amount of cortisone. I really think its worth a try for you...if that nerve is "upset" or compromised in some way you will have relief immediately.
Food for though I guess, but I"m happy you are trying new medications and treatments because there is so much out there that can help, but you won't know until you try :)
Talk to you soon,
Liz
-
He said he'd try the nerve block after a month if the Verapamil doesn't work. What's in the nerve block? Cortisone and what else? I totally forgot to ask him. Does the doctor prep the area with lidocaine first before he puts the nerve block in. I'm getting nervous about this. It's in the office and I won't have anybody there to hold my hand. The older I get the more chicken I get....
The Chicken in Chevy Chase,
Mei Mei
-
Mei Mei you are too funny. The Dr said he just flavored the shot with cortisone and then the nerve block medication that I can not for the life of me remember. I can look back at my notes, but its not a steroid so it doesn't make you nutty. He does not numb the area and it hurts when the needle goes in but there is an anesthetic in the injection as well so you are numb right after the treatment, I've heard some Dr's numb it first so you could most surely ask for it. Its very quick and the most annoying part is the "prep" or iodine/antiseptic they use to clean the area, got all in my hair yuck. He did a series of 4 blocks and then had a follow up with me. To be honest I probably only needed the first one, but I wanted all the relief I could get. The pain was minimized almost instantly and I'm still doing well with them. He only wants to hear from me if I'm in pain again, but it should last around a year if not forever (which does happen). Don't worry its not too bad and the numb head thing is great, your neck will be extra sore for a couple days, but its just an annoyance and can be helped with Tylenol/aleve or whatever you take.
Its something I think you should really consider, but let me see if I can figure out the medication they used.
Liz
-
Oooohhhhh it hurts when the needle goes in? Then I have to hold my breath. Is it like having novocaine put in your gums by a dentist? I can handle that I guess, but this is on the back of my neck. It only hurts the one time, right? or every time he shoots it in? I'm getting psyched up for this. I do accupuncture two to three times a week and the needles are really thin. I hope these needles are thin, like 24 gauge or thinner. I wonder if he minds if I have a Heineken before the shot.
As always, :P
Mei Mei
-
You are too funny and it hurts when it goes in, but he shoots it really quickly. A valium might be a better idea than a Heinekin, but I can promise you that even if the blocks don't work great you will at least have a night of numb head and I wish sometimes that I could just keep it numb all the time :)
You crack me up :o
liz
-
Heineken tastes better than a Valium; my tummy can attest to that. Plus it goes well with pizza. I wish you didn't tell me you feel it when it goes it. Yes, you do feel nerve agents when they go in like Atropine. Atropine I remember stings as it is going in. Well, whatever they put in a nerve block has to last a year, so it has to sting a lot! You know the saying: "No pain, no gain". I'm going to have to grin and bear this, if the Verapamil doesn't work over the next month. I had another headache in the middle of the night last night and had to wait for half an hour for the Motrin to kick in. One of these days something is going to work to zap these headaches.
Well, here's to you, Liz! ;D Thanks for the warning about the pain when it goes it so I can get my blood pressure up on the drive into the Doctor.
Mei Mei
-
No worries hun its over so fast, but I'm not going to lie to you and tell you that it feels like nothing, but yes no pain no gain its totally worth it. I really hope that the verapamil works, but if not this is totally a valid option. I finally feel like I have my life back, its an amazing difference
Here's to you too
Liz
-
That's great to hear, Liz! Now I wish he did it for me on Tuesday and got it over with.
I have my retirement luncheon today at 1:30. We're expecting about 30 people so I'm excited. I haven't been at work since my surgery in Jan. and miss my friends. I retired on disability on March 31st. It was approved by the State because of my hearing and headaches. I am now being considered by social security. This AN has really changed my life drasitclly and everyone's on the forum. We just have to move on and make a difference in how we survive. The pins and needles in my neck are worrisome and should go away in a year. Just have to be patient.
Have a good weekend!!!
Mei Mei
-
Wow congratulations on your retirement, so happy you were able to get disability, I know how hard it is to function and have wished many days that I could just run away and be done with work, but its not really an option for me so I've been plugging on.
Enjoy your party!
Liz
-
I'm just back from my party. There were lots of nice people there and they roasted me. The food was great at the Lebanese Taverna and I got to take some home. They gave me a gold necklace with a lotus and a topaz as a present. There was a photographer there documenting everything.
Now I have to wait to hear about my Social Security Disability Retirement in August. Filling out the forms they sent me this week put my neck out and put me in two more headaches.
Thanks for the well wishes on retirement. This AN has put me in a new stage in my life and all of our lives.
Here's to you again!
Mei Mei
-
I was on Verapamil for several months with zero results. The only preventive meds that ever helped were gabapentin (Neurontin) and Topamax. I take neither now. Go Botox!
My occipital nerve blocks were DepoMedrol which is a corticosteroid used to treat inflammation.
http://www.depo-medrol.com/ (http://www.depo-medrol.com/)
The injection hurts like hell and I almost passed out, but a nice nursie held my hand. Next time I took a Xanax and it still hurt like hell, but I really didn't care. Just call the clinic and tell them needles freak you out and they will prescribe a sedative. Believe me, they don't want you flinching!
Captain Deb
-
Verapamil didn't work. Injections hurt like hell and you called a nursie to hold your hand. You almost passed out!!!! Oh my God. I can't stand thinking about it. Where do they put the Botox injections? In your Occipital area and neck, too just like the nerve block?
I went for my six month check up today and the ENT surgeon, Dr. Niparko said the Occipital Nerve blocks don't but Liz says they work.
He also said to switch from Motrin to Aleve because it works better and gave me a print out on Yoga exercises and wants to see me on the same day as the Neurosurgeon on my year anniversary in January.
I go through so much pain with the headaches, I guess I can go through pain for the shots, but I don't know if I am prepared for this passing out bit. My doctor's office doesn't have a nurse, just a secretary out front. I wish they could do these shots in hospital or in a clinic. I don't feel good about this at all.
Mei Mei
-
Oh, I forgot to mention, I also take Topomax and Cymbalta for Myofacial Pain (a kind of fibrmyalgia) and that is not helping the headaches either.
Mei Mei
-
No pain no gain I guess, but the pain is very quick and if you can get something for anxiety that might help...the first one for me was only bad because of the position they had me lay in. It was horrible for the ol noggin, but the subsequent injections were tough because I knew what they felt like. But like I said before the numb head was a great feeling, almost a reward for being subjected to needles. You also have an excuse to sit on the couch and watch TV or what have you for the rest of the day :)
I know Deb also gets the injections of Botox in the occipital region as well, that's another idea as I believe I read they are helping?
Many more options my dear...you will get relief...and make sure your Dr is working with you and not treating you like another headache as you have a much different case of symptoms than someone who just has a headache.
As always take care,
Liz
-
Thanks, Friend. I'm really having a bad week. I'm taking the Verapamil and it's giving me big time constipation llke the website says it would and my neck and occipital area are really really tender. I just had a massage and it hurts real badly with pins and needles. I don't know whether to wait the month and go back and ask for the shots but by this time I won't be able to get another appointment with that doctor. This skull neck and shoulder pain is really wearing me down. I forgot to tell you that the doctor told me to switch to Aleve from Motrin; he said it works better. I feel like I have a lump the size of a tennis ball on the bottom of my right skull with pins and needles in it. It's really got me down, down.
Mei Mei
-
Mei mei--have you been to a physical therapist for the neck and shoulder pain? Or tried a TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Neuro Stimulator) unit on it? I got a TeNS unit for my back pain last year and I have been using it on my shoulder--I have a trigger point in my shoulder that flairs up when I have a headache and one in my neck, too.
The TENS unit has sticky pads that you slap on and connect to wires and the unit looks about the size of one of those old transistor radios. My PT recommended it and my doc wrote a prescription for it and my insurance paid for it.
Having a bad day sucks, but having a bad week sucks more! I feel for you.
Capt Deb
-
No I don't have a TENS Unit but I've heard of them. Someone in my office had one on their belt. I go to PT three times a week and accupuncture twice a week and take my father to PT three times a week. It's like a circus around here and I run the taxi for my father and myself. It's hard to keep up with the schedule when I come down in the morning as to who is going where that day. One day the dog had to go to the Vet and that threw us all off.
I'll ask about the TENS Unit. The pins and needles and the lump on the skull and neck are really annoying. They just never go away. I wonder when they will. It's just not a life. The doctor wants me to do Yoga and I just don't have the wherewithall to get up and do all those Yoga exercises. To think I used to practice Yoga every day just a few years ago. Life is so different now.
Mei Mei
-
Report on the headaches: I haven't been having headaches at night all week long. Maybe the Verapamil is working???
I sneezed today and a headache started but not instantly this time but a minute later and it was a bad one as usual so I had to take Alleve and lay down for an hour and it went away.
My last accupuncture treatment was on Monday and I 'm having another tomorrow. PT massage was today and on Tuesday.
Mei Mei
-
Well, I said that too soon. I had a bad headache in the middle of the night last night and had to get up and take meds. 5 days is still a record for me for the past 6 months to go without headaches though. It might be attributable to the bunch of nerves blocked up in the occipital area and the neck. It was a really bad day for that and it was worked on by the PT.
Might be the cause of the headache.
Mei Mei
-
Mei mei,
I can't remember if you've ever had a nerve block. My first one worked so well it was like a miracle--I actually went to the beach and went boogie boarding. It takes the inflamation out of that occipital nerve. I got mine at my local pain clinic.
Your headache pattern sound so much like mine it is almost scarey! Do we have twin heads? The good news is that you will get better over time.
Capt Deb
-
No, Deb, I've never had a nerve block. The neurologist said he would give it to me on my next follow up appointment if the Verapamil didn't help. So far I'm not sure if it's helping the headaches. I've been on the Verapamil since June 8th and now go five days without a headache which is a big change. The only time I get a headache in between is when I sneeze which of course leads to an immediate killer headache. I still have this lump in the surgery side of my neck and occipital area that is REAL TENDER and has the big LUMP and knot and pins and needles that Jim says take 9 months to a year to go away. I'll have to stick it out.
Had more accupuncture yesterday. A laser treatment and massage. It's nice, but the lump is still there. It's frustrating. My neurology appointment is on July 22 and will probably get the nerve block then. Will it help the lump in the neck and occipital area and pins and needles?
Hugs and Hope,
Mei Mei
-
Dear ALL,
I forgot to mention that since I've been taking Verapamil I've been having trouble sleeping. Last night I didn't sleep at all. I got up out of bed this morning tatally frustrated and googled Verapamil and side effects again. Nothing on insomnia. Then I Did Verapamil and Insomnia and it came up...sure enough. I don't know why it didn't show up in the Side Effects list. I'm going to call the doctor tomorrow. I tried taking the med. earlier today instead of at bedtime to see if it makes a difference and added Benedryl to help with the sleep.
Yes, Deb, It's a domino effect!
Mei Mei
-
Mei mei,
When you go to the neuro make sure you are getting a true occipital nerve block with Depo-Medrol and not just a trigger point injection--they are very different. My neurologist sent me to a pain clinic for the nerve block, which was done by an anesthesiologist.
Capt Deb
-
My neurologist called me back about the Verapamil keeping me awake and I didn't have this email in front of me to ask him about the DepoMedrol when he said to schedule the injection in his office sooner than the July 22 visit since my neck and Occipital area were still having pain. The headaches are gone except for when I sneeze. He gave me some Ambien for sleep, but my experience with Ambien is that it gets me halfway through the night. He told me to take the Verapamil in the morning from now on.
Your follow up injections don't help you and just your first one? Now what?
My PT helps for an hour and then the pain comes back. It's so frustrating. I don't know how much more I can tolerate this, but I guess I have to in order to keep on living.
Take care and Hugs,
Mei Mei
-
My nerve blocks all helped, I just used up my quota for the year and began having Botox. I had about 6 nerve blocks in a year and the doc said I needed a break before the cortisone started to do damage. They are not a cure, just give you a relief from inflamation and allow the body to heal.
Capt Deb
-
Well, Deb, How long do the nerve blocks last? I'll give it a try. scared as I am
I had another headache last night for some reason. They come every 5 days now instead of every day.
I'll have a friend come with me.
Take care,
Mei Mei
-
Mine were also done by an anesthesiologist in a neruosurgery group...I think this is a very important point Deb is making...try not to worry too much its so quick. They wouldn't let me drive home (mentioned this in one of your other posts) I guess its a liability thing...
Good news is I'm going off the indomethecin and going to Topamax soon! Hopefully its not as hard on my body and works!!!! They say I can take this and get pregnant...(still risk category C, but the benefits will outweigh the risks so Its worth it) feels like I've turned another corner!
Take care,
Liz
-
I cancelled the Friday appointment and found an anesthesiologist recommended by someone from our group that lives in DC. He's out of the country until the 6th and I'm leaving for Taiwan next Friday and am coming back on July 13th so my appt is July 14th at 9 am. I pray that it works. Too bad I have to go on this trip with the neck and skull as is. I just started Neurontin. So far it's not touched it. My knots are hard as a rock. Knock Knock!!!
I'm so happy for you about the pregnancy. I don't know what Category C means. Please explain. I'm on Topamax and have been for several years. It really helped my Myofacial pain, a kind of fybromyalgia. I'd love to see your baby someday. Wish I could drive to Conn. I'm here in Maryland with my 95 year old father.
Take care lady,
Mei Mei
-
I think my nerve blocks lasted about 5 or 6 weeks. After 2 I was just getting them for special occasions--driving to Missouri for a wedding, going to the beach. For me they were sort of an insurance policy. I am seriously considering having more since I had 3 occipital migraines in 6 days recently. Taking Imitrex is about as effective as a sugar pill--an $11.00 sugar pill at that!
Capt Deb(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee60/Captdeb_photos/mz_0101_10034339657.gif)
-
Wow, Deb, that's a lot of pain for just 5 or 6 weeks' gain! I was hoping for a permanent gain. Damn! I am sick of this neck and Occipital pain and lump. Are we going to live with this forever? Are we doomed? I didn't know I signed up for this. I feel like I am in prison. It's a life sentence!!!!!!!!!
Hugs,
Mei Mei
-
I saw my neurologist , Dr. Schlosberg in Washington, today for a followup on the Verapamil and he upped the dose from 200 to 240 and gave me more sleeping pills since it interferes with my sleep (keeps me up till 5 a.m.). I'm afraid upping the dose will bring me more sleep problems but had such a killer headache last Sat. night that I almost went to the ER, even ice which usually helps hurt the back of my neck. He wants to see me after a month and brought up starting Lyrica if this doesn't bring relief.
I asked if the pressure in the back of the head would ever go away and he said it was probably nerve damage. I brought up adhesions and he brought up a plastic surgeon at Georgetown but we should go this route first.
Mei Mei
-
Hi Mei Mei
When you went to the anesthesiologist on the 14th did he give you a neuroblock?
Did it help?
My headaches are getting worse as time goes on, has any one found this to happen too?
The neuro I saw earlier this month seems to think if I take topomax for 6 months it will break the cycle and the headaches will stop. I love his optimism, I'm going with him on this (I have to)
keep smiling
Jennifer
-
The nerve blocks didn't help me at all and I had some scarring on my kidneys that showed up in the Cystoscopy earlier in the month so he is weaning me from the Topomax. I have been taking 200mg for years and now he has me on 150 for a weak and then 100 for another week. and then 50 and then none. It seems Topomax he says causes Kidney stones. He thinks I may have issues with scarring. I might have to see a plastic surgeon next year but we'll see how this Verapamil works with the Ambien to help me sleep. The Verapamil does keep you awake. I am on my first day of 240 mg of Verapamil.
Hugs,
Mei Mei
-
Lyrica might help, I have been on it now for at least 8 weeks and I have noticed a difference. I honestly think there is no medication that will totally take away the pain. I am not a pessimistic person, I just have this opinion from all of the different drugs I have been on and reading everything I can on pain. If a drug can help ease the pain than it is successful.
Anne Marie
-
Thank you. He suggested Lyrica and I don't know why he wants to wait a month to put me on it. He wants to try the increased does of Verapamil first to see how it works.
Mei Mei