Trigger Point Injections

Hi All,

It's been a while since I've been on here - sorry for the absence. I am scheduled to have a series of Trigger Point Injections on my occipital nerve next month, due to the fact that lately my migraine pain is as excruitiating in the base of my head as it is in the front, where it always originates. I don't know too much about these injections, so if anyone has had them or knows any info on them, please pass your input along. Any & all would be greatly appreciated! To be honest, I'm actually looking forward to having this procedure done - I'll try anything if it'll help in any way. Thanks for taking the time to read this - here's praying for a pain-free day for all of us..........................................

Janice

Hi, Janice,
I have my second injection in occipal nerve two weeks ago: steroid+lidocaine.
Both times it was beneficial. If I need it I will have another one.

Injection itself is quick and you have nothing to fear - the main thing is that you need to find the spot, by pressing in that region at the base of the skull hard with your finger and find where it hurts most. This is the spot where they will inject. The success of the injection greatly depends on finding/hitting that right spot. It can be done on one side (where you get most migraines) or on both sides.

I will write more about soon, but at the moment I cannot stay too long.

Senna

I've had these injections though mine were c2-c4. Mine were very, very painful,(sorry) but did help. I will be getting them again in a few weeks.

Thanks to both for your replies - I feel a bit more at ease & as I said earlier, am very much looking forward to them!! Thanks again!

Janice

They are very very helpful for many people. Good luck.

milo wrote:I've had these injections though mine were c2-c4. Mine were very, very painful,(sorry) but did help. I will be getting them again in a few weeks.

Hi Milo

Did you get this through your GP or did you have to go through a Neurologist or ?? I'm wondering how I get there. Did it stop your migraines and for how long? Was it done in the hospital or office?

Angela

In office at my pain specialists. Although, I would actually volunteer to be put out for them next time...but it wasn't/isn't an option.

I was referred by my neurologist to an anesthesiologist/pain specialist for mine - it will be done in the hospital on an outpatient basis.

Having an injection in the cervical spine area is more a nerve block then a trigger point injection. A trigger point is an inflamed inervation point within a muscle. The injection numbs the nerves and stops the neuro-chemical "storm". It's not any deeper then a vaccination injection. I had several and on the last one I went straight to a friend's house to help him cut up a tree. It just felt like a bee sting.

A steroidal epidural nerve block is much deeper and can irritate far more tissue.

Thanks for all the info!!!