Well I think I might be experiencing less pain now but I seem to have developed pain in other areas. For example, deeper in around the 9 o'clock position. It's definitely not muscle pain either-- it is nerve pain... like a straight line of pain emanating from that area. I've noticed less pain around 3-9 in general, but if I put pressure on the 12 o'clock area I have more pain.
I don't know if the decreased pain is from the steroid injections (would make most sense given where the pain has subsided and where it has not) or from the increased doses of desipramine and gabapentin that I'm taking.
My doctor finally gave in and agreed to do Botox injections. I am not going to even try dealing with insurance over the Botox so I will pay out of pocket for them. I think it's worth it if it provides a permanent or even semi-permanent resolution of my symptoms. I don't want to take meds for the rest of my life and I'd rather not go through painful pain blocks, which I would require several of, before trying the Botox. It makes the most sense for me to do it in that order. I love my doctor. I sent her some information on impar ganglion blocks and she researched some pain specialists that could do them. She really goes out of her way to help me. Well, actually I think she is just being a good doctor and that all doctors should be like her, but since so few are, her behavior really stands out.
