trigeminal and occipital neuralgia

[rmom26]

I have bilateral trigeminal and occipital neuraligia.  I have been told this is uncommon to have both of these conditions and have each of them on both sides. What could be causing me to have all of them.  I am under pretty good control as I take neurontin and namenda.  Before I was put on namenda i was having rhizotomies almost every three months due to the excruciating pain.

[judytebo]

I happen to come across this answer today as I have constant pain for the last few years.  I have pain above in my left side of my head above my ear and i have pain on my left side of my neck.  I have had trouble with my neck for years.  I do not turn my head to the left very well.  I have migraine headaches which are completely different then the above pain.  I do realize the difference.  I have tried everything; botox, nerve block injections, blood work, CAT scan, MRI and many Prescription drugs.  Nothing seems to help for more than any length of time.  Do you have any suggestion?

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,
Thanks for writing in.
Trigeminal neuralgia can occur due to aging, damage to the myelin sheath of the nerve or a tumor compressing the trigeminal nerve. However in most of the cases cause cannot be found.
Occipital neuralgia can occur due to damage to the occipital nerve due to trauma, physical stress, repeated neck flexion, contractions and extensions and due to benign tumors of bone.
It is difficult to pin point the exact cause without clinical examination. Hope this helps you in identification of cause in your case.