Pain may accompany the swelling. Resting the extremity in a raised position may be a first treatment. If that doesn't work, many people have been helped with a special nerve block, called a sympathetic nerve block. Medications such as analgesics and narcotic analgesics are the mainstay for treating severe pain. In the early stages, two to three nerve blocks can bring long-term pain relief.
Prognosis is individual and depends on how early treatment was begun and the individual's response.
882-7000 to make an appointment with a University of Missouri Health Sciences Center physician. Neuralgia I have a continuous dull ache in the back of my head on the right side. The area is very tender and simple things, such as brushing my hair, cause a burning sensation and a stabbing, ice-pick type of pain. I also feel pain in the back of my neck at times. They may be due to injury or irritation of the nerve, but in many cases the cause is unknown.