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Experiences with SPG/Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block?

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Posted 6/7/2009 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
Anybody had an experience with an 'SPG' block or Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block?   I was reading a study where if the pain was almost always on one side nearish the eye lots of folk who tried the entire pharmacy worth of migraine treatments to little effect found this helpful.  

One study reached out to lots of folks who failed other treatments and it proved to be very helpful.

I have no experience with it but it seems so straightforward with some training people can do it themselves.  Just a medicine soaked long sliver of cotton up the nose on the painful side.

Anybody heard of it?

 

Posted 6/7/2009 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dad, my Dr. had originally suggested this for me, but I ended up getting a supraorbital RFP (radio frequency pulse). The first one lasted almost two years and I just had them done again...the relief is amazing.

The difficulty with the SPG was finding someone who still does them and then learning how to do them correctly yourself. For me, it didn't sound like something I wanted to do frankly and I'm very, VERY happy with the supraorbital.
Janice
Posted 6/7/2009 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
As I was reading it, it reminded me of exactly what every ear, nose and throat doctor does every day in advance of getting their little scope up your nose to check for problems. Some long thin cotton soft pencils soaked in meds. Is it the same? Similar? A puzzle.

The whole 'radio frequency pulse' thing I think isn't done on younger people. Anyhow this sort of block seems a very low risk, low side effect and not so expensive thing to try-- if nothing else I bet it gives a hint as to whether more heavy duty longlasting things are a good idea.
Posted 6/7/2009 10:57 PM (GMT 0)
It's been awhile since I've read up on it, but what you're written sure seems accurate. I think that was part of what bothered me too; I wanted something that was going to last a lot longer than that and the whole idea of shoving something up my nose all the way to Timbuktu, was more than I could deal with!!!

Anyway, I don't know about the RFP having an age restriction; I can check with my Dr. here if you would like. I live in mid-Michigan...
Have you found someone who does the SPG? How old is your son? My youngest was 5 when he started with migraines, he fortunately grew out of them during his teen years (with the help of prozac). Now that he is in his mid 20's he still has some issues with them, but not as bad as I, and for that I am eternally grateful.
Posted 6/8/2009 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
I read the procedure is so easy a fellow had a headache on the golf course, did the med-soaked cotton way up the nose thing for twenty minutes and then finished playing!

I am looking for an ER or local clinic that can do this, I'll keep you posted.   It seems so low risk, not expensive  and potentially helpful it would be a shame not to give it a whirl given the alternatives.

 

Posted 6/28/2009 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
Well, there used to be a fellow in town that did them, but he left. So, still looking.

It is funny sometimes. Here we are in late june, the local neurologist's office called to try to get us some help at the much celebrated University of Iowa Hospital's neurology group, looking for someone that knew what appears to be a very minor and patient doable abortive procedure. She was pleased to report they had an appointment for us on October 9th. Over four months and two weeks away. It's a state run hospital, keep that in mind when deciding whether you want the state to take over medical management.
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