trigeminal and occipital nerve pain from benzo withdrawal

[Kirby12]

I suffer from constant pain - pain specialists here have tried injections - burning the nerve, botox and every possible drug - Lyrica, indomethacin, neurontin, dilantin, elavil - opiates make it worse (trileptal was the only one that helped but lowered my sodium to 118 within 48 hours at just 300 mgs a day)  3 neurologists have suggested just living life out on klonopin but i refuse (high gaba covers the pain - ironic - depakote and tomomax make it worse.)

It has reduced me from running 5 miles a day to barely leaving the house - who can I turn to and what options exist?

[Kirby12]

Thanks so much for your input - there is a good acupuncturists here and will pursue and not sure why my neurologists hasnt suggested the nerve block (I've seen 3 of the best in town and after 2 - 3 weeks they all seem to give up and say take the klonopin.)  That just seems like a cop out.

[dr_simran]

Hello Dear Kirby12,
Peripheral nerve stimulation appears to be a safe and effective approach in the treatment of craniofacial neuropathic pain. Peripheral nerve stimulation has been effectively  used to treat neuropathic pain.You should consult your neurologist regarding this treatment option.
Refer http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/554865 for more info.
Best

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

I would suggest you to try alternate treatment like acupuncture. Acupuncture has shown good results in drug refractory trigeminal neuralgias.
Please check the link below.
http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acu.2007.0535
In some cases of refractory occipital neuralgia CT fluoroscopy guided nerve block have produced good results.
http://www.ajnr.org/cgi/content/full/24/10/2105
Hope this helps!