[chippiebird]

I was wondering if anyone had tried occipital nerve stimulation for chronic migraines? And if so, was there any discomfort with the battery, problems with lead migration, or increased pain and sensitivity?

[aarobins]

I have tried this procedure. I think it has excellent potential. Unfortunately for me, the lead slipped within the first few hours. They kind of poked a hole in my upper back and pushed the lead up until they got to occipital nerve. It kind of numbed things like a tens unit might until the lead moved after taking a nap. Then I was getting shocked. As it seemed I had such an intense locak reaction and was in terrible pain unable to get the medtronic device to quit shocking me instead of repositioning the lead it was pulled. I think it has potential I just don't know if it would have worked for me or if we took it out too soon without repositioning. Occipital nerve blocks can be very beneficial while I am numb, once that wears off the pain relief is not lasting too long for me with the steroids (has been less than two months since last nerve blocks).. I think if you get a really good response from the occipital block and you can get your insurance to approve the procedure, you have nothing to lose. Dr. Gentile of Indianapolis, Indiana did mine. Did a great job. I would highly recc him if you are in the area and are looking for someone. In the meantime I am just searching as I have gone through 60 drugs and a migraine clinic (MHNI) in the past eight to nine years and I am still in my 20's and having disabling migraine. So I would say -- give it a shot if you get relief from occipital blocks. If the doc thinks it is a viable option, leave no stone unturned. I assume you aren't since you are researching this. Mine was again a medtronic device. I think we may have had better outcome if my lead hadn't moved. They told me to try to keep my neck still and be careful. All I did was lie down to sleep and it was a nap and the lead had moved and so they pulled it the very next day which was very disappointing. I may never know if this was a true option for me. By all means...stick with it...keep looking for answers and get an appointment and question the docs until you are satisfied with answers or the possibility of undergoing this treatment. Migraine is a bit of a demon and when you need help you need help and sometimes I find I have to fight 10 times harder for it than if I had any other illness other than back pain because they can't do a scan and see the migraine. I can only tell them what pain I am in and it is completely subjective. Some docs believe you, others don't --- but from a kid that has had her life turned upside down, I want to encourage you to pursue it until you know everything about it and go for it if your gut and doc agree it is a viable option. You really have nothing to lose! Best wishes.

[chippiebird]

I really appreciate that you shared your story with me. I too, have been down the medication road and still have no answers. I am also very young and have tried many methods of pain management. While I have not had an occipital nerve block, I have had nerve blocks for disc problems in my neck and had the same result - obtained pain relief, although quite temporary. My doctor seems to think that if a few of the nerve blocks are successful, another option is ablating the nerve itself, so that it no longer is able to send messages of pain to the brain. I had this done in my neck and had great success, but apparently there is far more risk in the upper cervical spine. If you do not mind my asking, how long ago did you have the procedure? Where did they put the battery pack? Was it under your arm? And did you have it in long enough to know if that caused any discomfort itself?
I really am greatful for your story because it does not seem like this procedure is as commonplace yet as spinal cord stimulation for lower back pain. I actually live in California and am seeing an anesthesiologist for pain - is that the type of md who put your stimulator in?

[aarobins]

I have also had radiofrequency ablation to the greater occipital nerves. It did numb things for a few weeks then it came back with a bit of fiereceness. Don't know why - just backfired on me. RE: A trial run you will have a small device, it should cause no discomfort, should not be a hastle, I just carried mine in my hand or laid it down beside me on my lap in the recliner. Size is not an issue to worry about (for me personally). As mine was NOT permanent, just a trial run I had it about 24hrs. If you get a chance to meet with both your doc and your doc can get a rep from the company in they should most likely let you be able to look at the batteries and do some kind of consult as they did with me where I asked "where would it go" "will it hurt" "is that an uncomfortable spot" "will it show if I lose weight" everything you can think of! I thought of it all - under the collar bone was one area we looked at, I've seen some in the abdominal fat for certain pains, but I can't remember which ones (when you have worked in healthcare and no longer do you start to know you've seen this or that you just can't always remember for exactly what condition it was placed in the area). I know it seems scary, but they are really user friendly batteries. I would just tell the doc you'd like to meet with a rep from the manufacturer see if s/he will arrange so that you can ask all these questions. My battery was again not implanted so I can't really be helpful there. I think that if it works for you -- that will be the least of your cares --- and I certainly hope you find something that works soon. Best wishes! Wish I could have helped a bit more.