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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Occipital Neuralgia
Question: I had a fall in January 2014 after which my balance was compromised and then I had labyrinthitis and BPPV which I have had treatment for. However since then (and possibly before) I have been suffering with chronic occipital neuralgia. I went to a physio because my neck was stiff but since then things have got worse. Today the left side of my head is numb, tingly, I have blurred vision(for about the last 6 weeks). I have had a second round of nerve block injections about a month ago (from a headache specialist) having had ones in September 2014. My doctor is not able to help. She has put me on amtriptyline but all in all everything is affecting my balance. I have no idea where I should seek help
Brief Answer:
MRI of brain, neurologist
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
I am sorry you are having so much difficulty. I have read your notes and looked at your testing reports. You definitely have some osteoarthritis in your neck and even some nerves that are touching osteophytes. You also have some stenosis (narrowing in the cervical spine). These finding may explain some of your problems but not really all of them. I suggest that you see a neurologist and request an MRI of the brain. I believe you need the MRI of the brain to make sure that there is nothing going on in your occipital lobes that would explain the blurry vision and occiptial neuralgia. The neurologist will be more able to help you with the pain than any other specialist.
I hope you get some relief soon.
Dr. Robinson
MRI of brain, neurologist
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
I am sorry you are having so much difficulty. I have read your notes and looked at your testing reports. You definitely have some osteoarthritis in your neck and even some nerves that are touching osteophytes. You also have some stenosis (narrowing in the cervical spine). These finding may explain some of your problems but not really all of them. I suggest that you see a neurologist and request an MRI of the brain. I believe you need the MRI of the brain to make sure that there is nothing going on in your occipital lobes that would explain the blurry vision and occiptial neuralgia. The neurologist will be more able to help you with the pain than any other specialist.
I hope you get some relief soon.
Dr. Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Pradeep Vitta
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