How can someone overcome chronic headaches along with pain in the eyes and neck due to occipital neuralgia?

Question

Hi doctor,

For the past 15 years, I have had these headaches that would start in the occipital area of my neck and proceed to my eyes. On some days, the pain would be eight out of 10. These headaches normally went away with taking Advil (Ibuprofen). They would only last a day, but this time this is day eight of having this headache, and Advil is not working. Feels a little better when I lie down. No other symptoms besides sharp stabbing pain in the neck and eyes. When my father was a teenager, he dealt with the same thing.

At 45, he had a vein or artery sever in his neck, causing what felt like a stroke. MRI showed no blood flow on the left side. The artery was somehow sealed shut on its own.

What do I have? Vertebral artery dissection or insufficiency?

Doing my research, it matches up perfectly with occipital neuralgia.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

The artery dissection is usually due to forceful movement of the neck or trauma.

Did you have trauma lately?

It is usually sharp, shooting pain due to cervical nerve root impingement. If you feel this way, I advise you to undergo an MRI. Meanwhile, please add Eperisone one tablet thrice daily for three days.

I hope it helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Aside from the head, the neck should be included in the workup since the pain originates from the neck and radiates to the occipital area. The next steps will depend on the findings. If the problem is purely due to muscle contraction, then aside from medications, physical therapy.

Thank you.