TN from Cervicogenic Headaches

I am curious to know the relationship (or if there is one) between TN stemming from Cervicogenic Headaches.

Thoughts anyone??

Have no clue Kay May, but found this link,

http://www.jaoa.org/content/105/4_suppl/16S.long



And this http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3201065/
(( hugs )) Mimi

I just finished reading the first article, thanks Mimi. Now I have a better idea why 2 1/2 years ago I had trigger point injections at the first pain clinic I went to in Victoria. When my pain is really bad, or, as I call it, “the whole orchestra is going” pain radiates into neck and down arm and sometimes even my ribs. I knew about convergence, but this article gives me more in- depth info.

KayMay: you must be having neck issues?

Hi Bellalrke,

The pain I get involves everything from the neck up. The pain areas is the back of my head and neck and will also go into my face/jaw/ears/head... pain varies from dull ache to sharp, shooting and the worst--burning pain.

I've had trigger point injections and an occipital nerve block. What was a confirmation for me that the Trigeminal nerves were affected is that the first place I felt the "numbness" from the shots was actually in my face.

So far, there has not been much long term relief.

My pain doctor is teaming up with another neurologist in the same clinic. The Neuro confirmed that I'm dealing with a skeletalmuscular issue as apposed to an actual neurological/headache disorder.

He is switching me from amitriptiline to Nortriptline.. will continue Cymbalta.. and oxycontin in the mean time until he reviews older scans and decides if he wants new ones or more/different injections done.

One day at a time.

Bellalarke said:

I just finished reading the first article, thanks Mimi. Now I have a better idea why 2 1/2 years ago I had trigger point injections at the first pain clinic I went to in Victoria. When my pain is really bad, or, as I call it, "the whole orchestra is going" pain radiates into neck and down arm and sometimes even my ribs. I knew about convergence, but this article gives me more in- depth info.

KayMay: you must be having neck issues?

Hi KayMay

Did anyone ever try you on the anti- convulsants to help figure out which direction the convergence is happening? Are you going to have any manual treatments?

I talked briefly with my neuro last week about convergence and the back of my head and scalp issues. Until I read those articles I didn’t realize the convergence could go from sleletal-muscular to trigeminal pain. The trigger point injections I had two and a half years ago made my condition worse. I’ve shied away from occipital nerve-block because of that.

Are your symptoms made worse by cold and wind?

HI Bellalake!

If i'm in a room that has really cold air conditioning... I already know I'm going to be in pain.

Its hard to say if the TPI or the Nerve Blocks helped much b/c i was taken off all "abortive" pain meds prior to the nerve block.

i've done physical therapy for almost 2 years (no relief).

I couldn't handle the side effects of the tegretol/neurontin duo. I was a walking zombie, horrible brain fog etc

I'm being switched to Nortriptiline tonight. Was told i can start using oxycontin and 800 ibuprofen again for breakthrough pain...



Bellalarke said:

Hi KayMay

Did anyone ever try you on the anti- convulsants to help figure out which direction the convergence is happening? Are you going to have any manual treatments?

I talked briefly with my neuro last week about convergence and the back of my head and scalp issues. Until I read those articles I didn't realize the convergence could go from sleletal-muscular to trigeminal pain. The trigger point injections I had two and a half years ago made my condition worse. I've shied away from occipital nerve-block because of that.

Are your symptoms made worse by cold and wind?

Oh it’s all so complicated. But I know what you mean about air- conditioning. Any cold is a killer for me too. As well as very dry heat, just as much.

So sorry the physical therapy hasn’t worked.

I had my TPIs before any pain meds. I was about a year and a half into this before I got any pain meds. First it was cymbalta and tramacet (which nearly killed me - serotonin syndrome). And I was about two years in before the others. It has taken me a long, long time to get used to being on so much gabapentin but I am much better with it than in the past. Still can’t do anything in a hurry though! I need a slow pace or else I just collapse in a heap of pain and anxiety.

Good luck with the nortriptyline. I really hope it gives some relief. And good to have your other pain meds on hand .