cervical migranes - advice?

[mel333]

Hi everyone,

I am lost on what to do for my migranes which are sometimes daily, usually evening and brought on by neck pain from whiplash injury(7 years ago); bulges at c3/4 and 5/6 (main one with some mild cord compression). All my upper cervical spine is pushed forward and as far as I have researched all the muscles have stabilised this forward tilt and weakened. I have had 2 lots of facet blocks at c5/6 and recently tried c3/4 and if that doesn't work I'm trying c2/3 next or c2 nerve block. Such a merry go round. I am working on stretching the neck muscles with a muscular skeletal dr and taking alot of codiene and viox for pain releif along with cafergot for migrane headache. I am 32 and finding it hard to stay possitive as I am finding I need to take so much time off work and everything. It really affects my husband and I don't know what to do.

Mel

[Amosquito]

Maybe now that you have relief from the Botox, you can do lots of the stretches and rehab of the neck stuff and not feel so much pain. If you do experience this, please post, as I too have the neck pain, which causes my eye stabbing migraines. I had a wicked one last night and all day today, from crying yesterday, getting tense in there and then having PT. Sigh.

I hesitate to try Botox, even though the dose is small and it's been used since the 40's? or something like that, because I have Fibro and all kinds of weird ailments that never get explained. I'm afraid *I'd* be the exception to the safety rule with Botox. Or, that it would hurt me down the line . . .or, that it would make my neck go way limp like some of the horror stories!

[mel333]

Hi,

I know what you mean about horror stories with various treatments and it is true the long term side effects aren't known. Yet, I had a small dose and as I have had some releif I am going to have a bit more. I would only consider it above my eyes so far as thats where those horrid stabbing migranes are. I was very nervous untill I did lots of reading on the net and found the side effects and risks are minimal. You could consider trying a low dose(2 shots ) like me which was inexpensive and fast.
For my neck which is currently getting locked and spasmy I am having more facet or nerve blocks c5/6. I found my facet blocks c3/4 were helpful to my headaches yet who knows it's only been 2 weeks. Do you have a neck injury? and if so have you tried various treatments? I find accupunture helps with my head and neck and I have this once a week. I hope your head is ok today.
Mel