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Occipital Neuralgia after surgery

Ugh! 2 weeks post op and pain at surgical site is fine but entire rt side of head on fire and feels numb and having swallowing issues.  Saw surgeon and he said I have damage to occipital nerves from surgery. Treatment is neurontin (which I hate) and occipital nerve blocks every few weeks. He said it may heal in a few months, years or never! Pain prior to surgery was 2/10. Now 9/10. Am crushed! Anyone have this?
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Avatar universal
I'm glad you have relief!  
I see that it's considered "invesitgational".  It's kind of like acupuncture on the go.
Helpful - 0
979826 tn?1389036358
i developed this after a bunch of surgeries and now i have an occpital nerve stimulator and absolutely love it!!!!!
Helpful - 0
3112631 tn?1356653557
I've also had this same pain since my second surgery in 2010. It waxes and wanes a bit, though it's never gone. I've opted not to do neurontin or nerve blocks and have found that I'm more able to tolerate it over time. Sorry you're dealing this this...
Helpful - 0
1823499 tn?1370090289
After my first surgery I was also told I have occipital neuralgia. I am on neurontin ever since. I also had nerve blocks done for awhile. Just to find out all my pain wasn't all due to the nerve damage but I needed another surgery because my first ns only did bony decompression. It didn't help at all. After my second surgery I am better some...but still get horrible headaches once a week that lasts for days and if I do too much daily headaches. Oh and my scar is extremly tender and sore. And my neck muscles we're repaired and healing very slowly. I am almost 9 weeks post op and still have significant edema in surgical area. I see my nl tomorow, hopefully he has a plan
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

Hi...I am so sorry ur pain is worse then prior to surgery, but the Dr is right, it can take time, nerves take longer to heal and being at 3.5 yrs post op I can say I can see just how my body continues to change as time went on,

I was not like u with worse pain or  nerve damage.....but, if he feels it may heal, try to be positive and I am sending prayers it works out that way for u.

The only other thing u can do, is if u continue to feel poorly is get another opinion of what is causing the issue.

Helpful - 0
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