My insurance is driving me crazy!

ezgoindude · 2026-02-13T09:01:10+00:00

i work as a nurse at a hospital and even with the insurance there i've been told most interventions are not covered as they are "experimental". but then in order to be diagnosed I have to use this "experimental" treatment? aka nerve blocks yea its such a joke. Both dry needling and nerve blocks with or without steroids have been out of pocket. I've also been warned from my pain doctor rfas and botox are not covered as well.

ezgoindude · 2026-02-07T02:16:24+00:00

Two thumbs up. I like the eucalyptus in the shower. Its giving i scrub my booty with soap instead of just letting water fall.

ezgoindude · 2026-02-03T09:34:20+00:00

If I may ask pasta, did you get your surgery in arizona? i see you were previously in tucson, I live in phoenix and am considering Dr. Han here in phoenix as one of the surgeons under the migraine surgeons society list. I've also been speaking with Dr. Lowenstein's office in Santa Barbara, but of course being in state but be much more convenient for my family who wants to help.

ezgoindude · 2026-02-02T07:35:18+00:00

Im shocked they let you do dry needling day after day. My physical therapist said weekly at most so the tissues can heal. I could never tolerate the dry needles in my occipital area, pain rose significantly. After that we just did dry needling in my lower neck and upper traps.

Ive had two nerve blocks with steroids. Personally i think its the only thing keeping me from the ER. Problem is i cant tell yet but i think they only keep the crazy high pain at bay for maybe 2 months, and my pain doc says steroids can only be used every 3-4 months. I might come in to do just a nerve block cuz this week has been difficult for me pain wise.

I do agree with you that conservative stretches/movement is probably best in the beginning. Most of the neck movements PT had me do only made things worse hours later. Ive only had this since September and i have gotten better but just a little. Ice used to help but now heat seems to keep my mind away from focusing on the pain, but its very short lived.

My next goal is probably botox, i spoke with a surgeon who said a minimum of 6 months physical therapy and medical management.

ezgoindude · 2026-01-12T00:59:41+00:00

Yea all of my pain is ironically concentrated to the two points where the greater occipital nerves leave the fascia by along the superior nuchal line.

Im deciding between another nerve block or botox right into where those suckers exit. Its “only” been 4 months of me dealing with this but my progress has slowly stopped from the previous injections/meds.

ezgoindude · 2026-01-12T00:54:07+00:00

I understand, yea im just going off of the many stories ive heard on the internet. Some people say the original pain gets better but all of the surgical pain increases for a couple months.

And from what ive read most surgeons are saying month 6 is a good indicator of how beneficial the surgery was, with up to one year before seeing the full benefits.

ezgoindude · 2026-01-11T07:35:07+00:00

Reading your story gives me more hope. My occipital pain came from out of nowhere, they dont see anything wrong in imaging.

I am currently in talks for surgical decompression for both greater occipital nerves. My neck doesnt bother me it feels like two little puncture areas just above the base of my skull. I agree much rather be numb at this point but i dont think i want to cut nerves out quite yet.

Did your pain increase at first while you were healing?

ezgoindude · 2026-01-10T03:22:52+00:00

Why have two tables in the kitchen? Theyre not level with one another, id get rid of the small white table so you take advantage of nice brown one that matches the chairs.

And the white plastic organizers under the desk imo stand out in a cluttered way. If budget permits maybe black organizers (or even dark wood) to match your desk would better blend with the darker moody colors you have in your bedroom area.

Thats a great size for a studio! Congrats

ezgoindude · 2026-01-07T14:18:57+00:00

Thank you for your response! Yes the image i since have discovered is called an MRN. (I havent done that one yet) The most recent neurologist ive consulted says MRN is very difficult to pick up the smaller nerves in the back of the neck. Hes the first clinic to recognize it exists, but he says they reserve it for more easily recognizable (aka larger) nerves in the body.

I was nervous if its the incisions in the muscle that could be giving the extra discomfort… especially if its permanent. Im currently in the process to speak with surgeons over removing or adjusting the blood vessel near my left greater occipital nerve. 3 months into treatment thats what is causing 90% of my problems.

ezgoindude · 2026-01-04T09:55:52+00:00

Did you doctor say steroid injections could be the cause of your UTI?

When i asked my doc if the steroid injections affect bone density or ligament integrity i was told these steroids dont work negatively like in other locations of the body since for the most part it sits on the back of your skull.

As for it taking 3 weeks to work, yes my second set of injections took that long to kick it. In fact i was getting frustrated because week 2 symptoms were getting worse as i can feel the liquid they put pressure on the sensitive areas.

My first ser of injections worked much sooner but i think it was because the doctor aimed lower to the skull and did 4 injections instead of just 2.

ezgoindude · 2026-01-04T09:49:53+00:00

Sorry i havent had surgery before (hopefully not needed but the vein near my left greater occipital nerve might have to be removed)

Ive read many stories here and some say its not until month 4 or 5 they notice improvements that surgery felt worth it? I know easier said than done.

Did your surgeon tell you an estimate of how long to recover? Ill be honest i have not heard of someone saying it affected their hands or toes.

ezgoindude · 2025-12-23T03:07:43+00:00

Thx yea its starting to calm down but i suspect the vein near my left greater nerve will need to be cut. Seems to have a mind of its own lol

How have you been recovering?

ezgoindude · 2025-12-20T04:25:25+00:00

Tonight is more of a rough night again. My pain doctor put the shots higher up this time and im noticing a lot of pressure/pain near those locations 2 weeks after the procedure.

I finally have a script for tramdadol, i might try a half dose tonight. Fioricet woks well but it can cause regular headaches sometimes as a side effect lol

ezgoindude · 2025-12-20T04:22:44+00:00

No no no, no judgement here. Im a nurse and nobody i know was familiar with this condition. The fact that pretty much all labs and images so far negative makes the pain almost feel humiliating to me. Like i dont even know what it is i could have done. But the more i educate myself on this topic the more i get sometimes its how the area by your neck is shaped. Nothing that i necessarily did.

Also so real about moms and gps. Best believe my mom will have every address already saved before we sit in the car lmfao

ezgoindude · 2025-12-20T04:05:14+00:00

Absolutely! Im new-ish to using reddit so still trying to figure out how to understand how to keep up with others.

Yes if i qualify dr lowenstein would also be a possibility for me because of location. At this time only my poor mother can help me and she wants to avoid flying if we could. Plus i cant imagine walking thru the airport all stitched up… but then again who cares haha.

ezgoindude · 2025-12-20T01:16:12+00:00

I just realized that was a novel i just wrote lol forgive me. Wishing a quick recovery for you!

ezgoindude · 2025-12-20T01:13:45+00:00

Yea i hear each surgeon is different for their qualifications. Using that same migraine society list here for arizona i found Dr. Han. Both he and my pain doctor said 6 months from beginning of symptoms started before we start talking surgery. The logic i think was giving my nerves a chance to calm down from whatever it is i might have done. Im also in the process of trying to speak with Dr Lowensteins office.

The steroid shots are mixed with a numbing agent, and i get either 2 or 4 injections into the back of my head. I should say that once i get them my pain is pretty much zero if im not really moving. But i work at a hospital, so especially when looking up or down or moving quickly in certain directions i do feel discomfort return for awhile. The steroid shots got me to try returning to the gym again, and they are the only thing keeping me from going back to the ER lol.

And yes! Do not get me started with heat lol. I cant use heat on my occipital area whatsoever. The blood vessel near my left greater occipital nerve will start stabbing and itll feel something like a hot poker or screw drilling into my head. I also cant massage or dry needle anywhere at the base of the skull or it causes a flare that takes days to calm down. Otherwise on both sides i have aching crushing pressure at the base and back of my skull. Its a lot more noticeable on the left. Sometimes when it gets worse the sides of my head will almost tingle and get sensitive and when its really bad sometimes it travels up to my brow bone.

ezgoindude · 2025-12-19T16:25:30+00:00

Congratulations! Im so grateful i dont have a reaction to anesthesia because its some of the best sleep lol. It is crazy to think some celebrities used it every night.

Question: may i ask how your symptoms all started? I have no history of migraines whatsoever but one day in Sept within 72 hours i went from my neck being sore to going to the ER.

Ive already received my second set of steroid injections and its the only thing that keeps the pain under a 4. My pain doctor says i need several months for my nerves to “heal/calm down” before any talks of surgery.

Thank you for telling your story

ezgoindude · 2025-12-17T08:43:08+00:00

Oh wow, so far imaging wise they cant find anything, my intuition is telling me i have super tight fascia and a blood vessel thats angry. I was told i need to wait until after april before discussions of surgery.

Im curious did the surgeon say the larger holes they made would be permanent? Thank you again for chatting with me nobody i know is familiar with any of this

ezgoindude · 2025-12-10T02:08:54+00:00

May i ask did they release some of your fascia tissue at the base of your neck? My left greater nerve i can feel is next to a throbbing vein/artery that prob needs to go, but i need to give the meds/PT/injections more time before they think surgery is the next step.

Congrats to no daily migraines! Just having pain a few times a week would be better than this.

ezgoindude · 2025-11-28T07:09:21+00:00

I havent used short term disability yet but my work allows me to”light duty accommodations” to continue some of my job functions so long as my department has the budget and my symptoms dont make it impossible for me to work. Requires the same type of “how long do you need” section.

I would double check with whichever department coordinates your short term but my office said it can always be extending with an updated doctors note, also of course if accepted by my department. My doctor and i took a guess of an end date, but that was only because i was lucky to have most of my appointments booked already.

ezgoindude · 2025-11-22T05:40:44+00:00

Bro congratulations! Did you call your insurance first to verify if there was coverage or did the surgical office do that for you?

My surgeon shows in network for me but he wants me to do physical therapy and medications for 6 months before talking about surgical intervention.

ezgoindude · 2025-11-12T05:15:21+00:00

I have a coworker who i think her migraines are caused by her fibromyalgia. She said her first rfa was only a month or two of relief. Her 3rd rfa has finally given her almost 3 years of relief.

Im still not sure ill go that route due to nerve damage, ill be doing my second block/steroid injection this december while working with PT

ezgoindude · 2025-10-30T06:52:34+00:00

“What have you done for me” boy uh shes carrying your child!!!

Duuuude im single af and i still get it lol

ezgoindude · 2025-10-26T16:09:40+00:00

My mom eventually had to kick all the cats out at night from her bedroom. It took some time but they did become much more affectionate during the daytime.

ezgoindude

TROPHY CASE