Has anyone any exoer8ence of occipital neuralgia?

[Frazzledmummy123]

(I think I've spelt this right). I am only guessing I might have this through internet research of symptoms (I know, I know!). I have a gp appointment tomorrow so we'll see how that goes.

I have agonising pain where my skull meeta the back of my neck. The pain is a throbbing pain which goes up both sides of my head, causing headache, earrache and pain when I swallow. Ibrufen isn't helping a lot with the pain and I am going out my mind with the pain 😞. I haven't had any accident to cause it.

Has anyone had this?

[Frazzledmummy123]

*experience 🤦‍♀️

[Marbles321]

I have OP. Mine was very very tender to the touch. Linked it to stress and clenching my jaw in my sleep which was causing neck tension and trapping the nerves.

It went away on its own after a few days, and especially following some gentle massage of my neck and shoulders, but I did nearly call a gp. Yours sounds worse than mine though - definitely worth seeing the doctor. I empathise- its horrible!

[Frazzledmummy123]

@Marbles321 thanks. I am glad you got better pretty quickly. That's interesting you said you think your flare up was from stress and clenching your jaw, I have issues with a loose jaw and I am very stressed at the moment.

[Missesbrightside]

Hi, just wondering how you got on with your gp appointment & if you’re any further down the road to diagnosis? I think I have the same thing! On and off pain for about 10 years now- mainly brought on by stress, muscle tension, jaw clenching etc. but I’ve found since I had kids it’s become unbearable. They’re very young and I spend a lot of time carrying them so I get no respite from the pain. I now wake every night for the last few months with stabbing pains in head, neck, behind eye etc. ibuprofen no longer cuts it. I recently had an mri which seemed clear, apart from a couple of bulging discs, which was reassuring but frustrating as I’m not sure where to turn next! Any experience / advice appreciated.

[Frazzledmummy123]

@Missesbrightside sorry to hear you have had a rough time with this. My pain suddenly vanished one day, but then returned a few weeks later, with twinges in between. My gp referred me and I am waiting for an appointment.
It is good your mri was clear, however if you are still in pain I'd keep at your doctor about getting better medication to suit you. I find sitting with my neck on a heat patch helps.