New to board, old to fibro...

Hi all....I've never posted to a board before, but need advice. My neuro (headache specialist) referred me to pain management for my constant, all day everyday headaches, neck and shoulder pain. They want me to get shots in my neck at c-1, c-2 to see if it helps with the neck pain to ease that and my headaches. Okay, background started with constant headaches since 1991 ranging from a 6-10 everyday, I wasn't diagnosed with fibro until 2007 but have had all the symptoms since 91 too (constant burning, aching neck, shoulder and spine lower back pain. Feet burning and aching, wrist aches, face constant burning and aching). I've been to oodles of family doctors, 6 chiropractors, 2 pain management drs, 4 neurologists 2 were headache specialist, rheumatologist, 3 physical therapists. I've been on so many pills I cannot even begin to name them, some are lyrica, gabepentin, savella, topamax, flexerall, nortriptaline....am currently on cymbalta, salsalate, magnesium, tizanidine. I have been to pain management and he gave me blocks in my face and then tried radiofrequency ablation on my right side (it was very painful and did not help at all). Have any of you tried shots or radiofrequency in your neck. I have had nerve blocks in my shoulders too, with no relief and botox in my face, head, and neck....it did help with my neck some, but not my face pain and headaches. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Ooh I am so sorry.. I too never have, but also wanted to say a welcome. If my topamax didn't work for me, I'd be dying.

I guess at this point, what are the possible down sides, aside from the chance of it not working?

Hello, RnR Angel. Welcome!

Your pain sounds brutal. Sorry you're having to deal with all that. My brother has a constant headache, ever since a car accident around 1992. He's tried everything, and the only thing that even makes it bearable for him is Methadone. Very sad.

I wish I had some good advice for you....maybe someone will come along who has had a similar experience.

Debbie

Thanks to all for the warm welcome!! I appreciate any and all help as nothing has helped so far!! I will check out your post Sherrine, thanks!! Still undecided what to do about the shots. I hope everyone has happy, not a lot of pain holidays!!

Hi rocknrollangel:

Welcome. Were you writing about me?

I, too, have daily chronic headaches. I am currently getting nerve blocks every 4 weeks. The Doctor I see is the Director of a Headache and Pain Relief Centre. He freezes the nerves. Some Doctors destroy the muscle or nerves. My Doctor believes that freezing the nerve allows it to heal. When I get them my muscles become weak. It takes time to get the muscles able to do some things again. I try to keep my muscles as strong as possible.

I have had headaches for 12 years. The headaches started first and the neck came not long after. I have written about it in Headaches. I was referred to a Chronic Pain Department in a Hospital. They had no rheumatologists on board. I was being treated by a Neurologist. At first they were dealing with headaches or head pain. Then when my neck began to cause pain they did an x-ray. I quickly went downhill after the x-ray. Must have moved the wrong way. The x-ray saw arthritis. I then had an MRI. Have Osteoarthritis with spondylitic changes in my neck. Some of the chronic pain is from the neck OA.

I had a full body bone scan this year. Have OA in neck, neck to collarbone, collarbone to shoulder blade, wrists and carpel tunnel too, lower back, knees and foot articulations. Jaw pain too. Myofascial pain - my muscles tense up to protect my nerves and in doing so irritate the nerves.

The actual closest to what my headaches are like are called cervicogenic headaches. They are not the same as the two migraines with aura that I had many years ago. These headaches start at the base of my skull, move up the middle of my head and in the vicinity of the sinuses cause dreadful pain. It sometimes moves into my forehead. One Neurologist tried Topamax. This was supposed to help stop the pain. It didn't for me. Caused a horrible pain shriveling up my head and when I stopped taking it the pain came down again.

Currently take: meds Naproxen (NSAID), Baclofen (Muscle Relaxer), Nortriptyline (Anti-Depressant), Premarin (HRT) and supplements Vitamins - multi, C, D3, Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM, Omega 3, CoQ10 and Plant Sterols, Magnesium Glycinate and Calm. Have used Tramadol but my Doctor has not prescribed it on an ongoing basis. Use pain creams, tried many. Tried Curcumin.

Antibiotics and other meds when required.

Off - Topamax, A number of NSAIDs, Omeprazole, Fentanyl Patch, Oxycontin and Lyrica
I did not have a good response to Fentanyl Patch or Oxycontin.
I also have stopped Tylenol but do go back to it when I cannot stand the pain. It frankly does not help.

I have Degenerative Disc Disease (not a disease, a condition). By the time OA is seen on x-rays it is already in an advanced stage. Causes - car accidents, falls, repetitive strain. Nerve damage possibly from a med to fight C. Diff. Have survived numerous viruses. I will get some Oregano Oil next time I am in the Health Food Store.

I am in Canada. Yes, these problems occur worldwide.

I have read that pain is noted in the Bible. Sad that so many years have gone by and there are still so many illnesses that there is no way to stop.

I intend to have a Merry Christmas with Family, have been getting ready since November. Unfortunately, pain is with me today.

Do take care RnRAngel.

Loring

Osteoarthritis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...

Post Edited (Loring) : 12/24/2014 12:16:42 PM (GMT-7)