Pennsaid drops for pain on neck and Occipital area

[Mei Mei]

I saw my Primary Care today and mentioned that I was scheduling an Occipital Nerve Block and he gave me samples and an RX of Pennsaid made by Mallinckrodt.   He said to put 10 drops on my Occipital Area and Neck and see if helped.   So far it still feels just as tight.   I don't think anything will loosen this neck up.

Maybe some of you don't have a neck and skull as bad as mine.

Mei Mei

[jennifer7]

Hi Mei Mei
any idea what the pennsaid is suppose to do?  does it help with pain or muscle tightness?
do you have an appt for the block yet?
I read on another post that you have a plate?  is that related to the retro surgery?

I have now tried a chiropractor, massage therapist, supplements and PT.  My neck is looser but I'm still having the headaches and nausea.  I've been waiting a month for my neurosurgeons office to refer me to a headache specialist.  I think they forgot about me and now they're not returning my phone call.  I'm sure there is a legit reason but I'm so tired of the pain.  Its not always severe but I'm just tired.

I'm anxious to hear how the nerve block works, hope you can get an appt soon.
Jennifer

[Captain Deb]

Jennifer!  Bug the crap out of them! Be the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.  Find your own pain clinic and work backward and let them call the doc for the referral.  I have been through so many in the med profession that don't take me seriously.  There are so many drug seekers out there that they give honest to god pain sufferers like us a bad name.  Last week I had a hissy fit in my GPs office and announced to all who would hear that I was never coming back there again.  I was so pissed after getting the run around for a severely painful back issue for 11 months--under medicated and overbilled for services that I never even had.  Not to mention they were making me come in for every refill for everything--$200 in their office for an office visit every time. Maybe I need to teach an assertiveness class for patients.

Capt Deb

[Mei Mei]

Pennsaid didn't do anything for me.   I'm not even going to fill the RX.   Do like Deb said.   Find a Pain Clinic or Headache specialist and have them treat you.  Don't wait for them to refer you.   A month is unconcienable.   You need to be serviced.   You need help and treatment now.   I have a plate in my head.   I think most of us do.   

I am waiting for a phone call today for the appointment .   I am hoping to get in on Friday.   Wish me luck.   I'm nervous about it because it hurts really badly.

Mei Mei

[Syl]

Mei Mei:

Have you tried icing your neck. 5 minutes on, 5 minutes off. Do this for an hour. It relaxes the area. I highly recommend it.

Syl

[Mei Mei]

Dear Syl,
Thanks for reminding me.  I do this, too.  Today is a really hot day and I just came in from walking the dog.  It feels really good.
Mei Mei

[cin605]

Mei Mei,
Have you tryed gabenton or neurontin?It is working wonders here.I was having head and neck spasms and major pain which was causing my whole body to be stiff...people would actuaally ask me in public Did you hurt your neck?
i am taking 200mg 3x a day and movin and groovin!
I tried the nerve block w/ no results kicking myself in the but for not suggesting this to my GP earlier.I had to ask for it and tell him what it did.

[Mei Mei]

No, I haven't but I used Neurontin about 10 years ago for a spasm and headache after a 12 hour drive that really killed me and went to PT for it and nothing helped and the doctor gave me Neurontin and it did the trick.   I'll have to call and ask for it to see if he'll prescribe it over the phone.   Thanks for reminding me.   You're and angel!!

Mei Mei

[cin605]

Its really made a big difference here...drove to my moms 40 minutes away today for the first time since surgery 2 years ago.
I have to be careful not to over do ....keep reminding myself pace,pace....waxed my floors for the first time in 2 years also the day before yesterday.....did feel some swelling and pressure in head....rested yesterday.

[Mei Mei]

Hi there!
I went to the doctor's office in person this morning on an errand for my father and put in the request in person.   Just picked up the medicine an hour ago and took one pill.   Still feel the knot in my occipital area and neck but the neck is not nearly as bad as before!!!   The skull is just as hard as a rock.   I have an appointment with an anesthesiologist on July 14 at 9 am the morning after I return from Beijing.   It's too bad I couldn't get the shot before the long flights to Taipei and Beijing.  The trip can't be avoided.   I have to go.   The doctor is also out of the country and coming back on July 6.

This neurontin really worked wonders for me 9 years ago when everything else failed including traction.  It's a wonder drug.   I'm glad it's helping you.   Yes, don't overdo it or you'll pull your back out or something like that.   You head is already telling you to rest with the swelling and pressure.   Please, Please be careful.

Stay in touch and let me know how you're doing!
Mei Mei

[cin605]

I am jealous...i want to travel...anywhere sounds good right now...Try and enjoy your trip!Hope your feeling better soon!

[Mei Mei]

Please don't be jealous,  I'm traveling with my 95 1/2 year old father and his wheelchair and diapers to help him attend a meeting.   He's the oldest member of an Academy.   Then we're going to Beijing to a University but I can't leave to go downtown, I have to stay on campus to be with him and my aunts and cousins and take care of my father.   It'll be really hot and my neck and skull still hurts.  My aunt is a doctor so she is going to arrange for an accupuncturist to come over and treat me.   Then we will stay there for five days and take the plane directly back to Washington and pray there are no bathroom accidents because I can't get him into the bathroom on the plane because he can't stand anymore.   Then we'll drag him onto the wheelchair and through customs and find our suitcases and find the man that promised to taxi us home and then I'll drag him into the house.   It'll be about 11 pm by the time we get home.   I'll turn on the AC and take a Neurontin and go to bed.  Thanks for suggesting the Neurontin!  Such is the life of a Caretaker of 95 1/2 year old man that insists on travelling.   I'm going to refuse the next time he asks.

I should find a younger man to take on this trip     Take care,
Mei Mei

[cin605]

Wow!Youve got your hands full...no woner yur neck is kiilling....stress alone is enuf.
I have to take my neurontin during the day or i will stay up all night.
Glad to hear you are going to have accupunturist on hand.
Take care.Cindy

[Mei Mei]

Dear Cindy,
Does Neurontin keep you up and give you insomnia?   It says on the bottle to take it at bedtime because it causes drowsiness.   That's strange that it keeps you up.   I'll check the side effects.

Hope you're feeling well and cooler than we are in Maryland.   NH certainly must be cooler.
Mei Mei

[cin605]

Thanks MeiMei!
its a lot cooler here today.80's.
There was a moose at the beach today!See WMUR.com
Too funny.
Yes,gabepenton keeps me awake.....i have to take my last dose of the day by 4:00 or i am up.
Thanks Again!Cindy