What do you know about occipital nerve stimulation and daily migraines?
I am 60 and have had daily migraines since the age of 50. About 9 months earlier I had a horrible fall on the back of my head while running on a wet marble floor. At the time I did not have any headache and did not go to the ER (I will now). But about 9 months later the migraines started and my migraine meds no longer. Up til then, I had a year where I had very few migraines. I ran/walked the hills of S.F for 2 hours a day. But one day, after my run, I sat down to type and the horrible migraines began up until this day. There were no unusual stresses at the time. They just came out of nowhere.
Have they ever done any studies based on hormones? My migraines used to come at ovulation and menses. Any clues. Does methadone cause rebound headaches. Personally, when I had rebound headaches they were always at the top of my head and felt more like a hangover (I have not had any alcholol in 30 years). Any clues?
What do you know about these occipital nerve implants?
I still have the implant in . It worked the first time for 3 months until the "leads" moved. They put in another Medronics design. It has stayed in place but does not work.
Thank you,
Laura,
Yes, there have been studies on Migraines and hormones. Hormonal fluctuations are a known Migraine trigger.
Occipital nerve stimulators are not FDA approved for Migraine treatment. They are still in clinical trials. The only way to get an occipital nerve stimulator implanted for Migraine is to be part of a clinical trial. (some doctors have been known to "fudge" the diagnosis to get a stimulator implanted, but this is not a good practice.) Others I've talked with who have had the stimulator implanted in a trial have had the same experience you did -- the leads slipping, and the device no longer working. You can read about these stimulators in Occipital Nerve Stimulation for Migraine and Headache Prevention - 2008 Update. The data in that article is still current.
Are you still in San Francisco? There are some excellent doctors there. It may well be time to consult a Migraine and headache specialist. It's important to note that neurologists aren't necessarily Migraine and headache specialists. Take a look at the article Migraine and Headache Specialists - What's So Special? If you need help finding a Migraine specialist, check our listing of Patient Recommended Migraine and Headache Specialists.
I do hope this helps, at least a bit.
Please keep me posted?
Teri
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Laura jeanne Stack
Monday, November 16, 2009 at 04:44 AM
Teri Robert
Monday, November 16, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Laura,
I have to wonder how they got your insurance to pay for this. The only time I've seen insurance cover it was when the doctor listed the diagnosis as occipital neuralgia instead of Migraine.
Don't know the legalities, but I'd think they should remove it for you too. Sorry you're in such a horrid position.
Please let us know if we can help you with other info or some support?
Teri
Thank you for your reply. They did re-implant it with a different occiptal lead. It is still in but has never worked (not even a bit like the first one which did work for about 3 months), I did get an infection because the wire broke thru when they took out the leads they left the stimulator and wires in my back and they poked thru. They tried to blame it on me but it was really their fault (I was at the PPTC in SF). Now I have no health insurance and am trying to figure out how to get it out. I feel they owe it to me to take it out. They never informed me that it was not FDA approved. I am also afraid of another operation as I am 60 but I can't keep it in there forever. I am wondering if I will have to sue them to take it out. I wish it did work, however. I will look at the reccommendations later. Thank you