PENS Therapy - any success stories please?

[Dazed'n'confused]

As title really..
Have any of you sent your horse for PENS Therapy for head shaking?
My vet seems keen to try this if the current drug trial doesn't help but reading about it I can't see much point realistically. I understand that it seems to take two or three goes to bring about any short term benefits and then appears to need a "top up" as and when afterwards. At £1500/2000 a go, it's a no go for me after the insurance money has run out...
However, if anyone has a success story I'd love to hear it!
The problem has been ongoing for nearly a year (on & off) & I'm no near to finding what triggers it off.

 

[spotty_pony]

Hi, my horse is going to Newmarket on January to have a course of Pens Treatment. He started head shaking in October and after extensive investigation nothing untoward has been found.

Just wanted to say I was told initial cost is £1500 for first three treatments (first one, then second one a week later and then third one 6 months later) and then top up treatments are £250 a time after that so not as bad once insurance runs out.

 

[Dazed'n'confused]

Oh thank you, that's doable!! Phew!

I hope your horse responds well for you - head shaking has to be one of the worst things to have, it's such a guessing game!

Can I be nosy and ask what investigations you've had done please? We've tried a Danilon trial with no change & he's had his head/teeth X-ray'd (nothing untoward), guttural pouch scoped (nothing amiss) and a trimegal nerve block (only a very slight improvement). We also did a steroid trail with no real result - I'm at my wits end!

 

[cascada27]

Hello,
I was going to post about this and then came across this thread already!
My horse is going in tomorrow for a CT scan, nerve block and to start the PENS treatment (depending on the reaction to the nerve block, CT etc) - was looking for any stories from people who's horses have had this done.
our story so far - Ive had him 7 years and he only started the headshaking last January.
After a couple of months of the headshaking getting worse the vet came out to run tests. He had his teeth checked, guttural pouches flushed, eyes checked, chiropractor out, X-rays, bone scan to check from any fractures, was on Pitiron tablets for a few months - nothing found to be abnormal.
His headshaking is completely random -if hes shaking, then he does it in the field, in the stable, night and day, rain etc. then he might have a day or 2 where theres nothing. I kept a diary for months trying to find some sort of link between the headshaking and anything, but nothing.
In may last year he completely stopped - again no apparent reason. He had been referred over to the Langford veterinary practice for the nerve block/PENS treatment however as he had stopped i cancelled it as there was nothing for them to see.
No sign of any headshaking at all from May until October, when i clipped him and I think this triggered off the nerve and the handshakings been back and getting worse since then.
I do not ride him now because of it and haven't done as the headshaking is constant and he is doing it at all times apart from when he is eating in the field - so he is just living out as he seems happier.
Like yourself - we have tried everything and nothing seems to work or show anything unusual.
Truly horrible condition. I am again at a loss as to what to do next if this does not work!
You mentioned a drug trial in your post - are these the corticosteriods? I've been doing some reading on it all this morning and came across this treatment and alternative treatments - although not the miracle cure I've been hoping for

 

[Dazed'n'confused]

Hello,
I was going to post about this and then came across this thread already!
My horse is going in tomorrow for a CT scan, nerve block and to start the PENS treatment (depending on the reaction to the nerve block, CT etc) - was looking for any stories from people who's horses have had this done.
our story so far - Ive had him 7 years and he only started the headshaking last January.
After a couple of months of the headshaking getting worse the vet came out to run tests. He had his teeth checked, guttural pouches flushed, eyes checked, chiropractor out, X-rays, bone scan to check from any fractures, was on Pitiron tablets for a few months - nothing found to be abnormal.
His headshaking is completely random -if hes shaking, then he does it in the field, in the stable, night and day, rain etc. then he might have a day or 2 where theres nothing. I kept a diary for months trying to find some sort of link between the headshaking and anything, but nothing.
In may last year he completely stopped - again no apparent reason. He had been referred over to the Langford veterinary practice for the nerve block/PENS treatment however as he had stopped i cancelled it as there was nothing for them to see.
No sign of any headshaking at all from May until October, when i clipped him and I think this triggered off the nerve and the handshakings been back and getting worse since then.
I do not ride him now because of it and haven't done as the headshaking is constant and he is doing it at all times apart from when he is eating in the field - so he is just living out as he seems happier.
Like yourself - we have tried everything and nothing seems to work or show anything unusual.
Truly horrible condition. I am again at a loss as to what to do next if this does not work!
You mentioned a drug trial in your post - are these the corticosteriods? I've been doing some reading on it all this morning and came across this treatment and alternative treatments - although not the miracle cure I've been hoping for

Oh gosh you have my absolute sympathy, it's a total nightmare!
I too have kept a diary but haven't really found a definite pattern of triggers. Mine has been scoped (all ok including guttural pouch), teeth/head X-ray (all ok) & trimegal nerve blocked (very little improvement). We tried a Pirtion trial - no difference, a bute trial - no difference & I'm currently giving him Tegretrol but he's been on it 3 weeks and he's still mainly unrideable!
My vet wants to do a CT scan next (if the insurance will!) but I don't hold out much hope of finding the answer to it all...
It has to be the most soul destroying thing!
For the record (incase there's something that works for yours in amongst the list!), I've tried:
Salt & magnesium (both mag ox & chloride & also Nuprafeed),
No grass,
24/7 grass,
He has only fibre, no grain & I've tried no feed at all,
Nose nets (net type & the Shakeaze one)
Full face masks
Total muzzle masks
Nasal sprays
Different bridle types, bits, no bits (however he does it with nothing on loose in the school or when not grazing...)
Chiropractors,
New saddle,
And finally....praying!!! ;p

I really hope your boy has the PENS therapy tomorrow and it starts to work! Please let me know how you get on, I'll keep everything crossed for you!

 

[varkie]

A friend of mine has had the PENS done on her horse, and having seen all they've gone through to get there, and the cost, I think I'd need real persuading by a vet - there doesn't appear to be a lot of improvement (if any) in my friends horse - for a lot of money and a lot of faff.

 

[Dazed'n'confused]

A friend of mine has had the PENS done on her horse, and having seen all they've gone through to get there, and the cost, I think I'd need real persuading by a vet - there doesn't appear to be a lot of improvement (if any) in my friends horse - for a lot of money and a lot of faff.

I have to say that I'm not keen either! I've researched head shaking till I'm square eyed and everything seems to be a hiding to nowhere when they're not just a seasonal shaker...
I absolutely adore my horse, I've looked for one like him for 10 years (while having others to back & sell) but I must confess to thinking that pts might be my only option - it's absolutely heartbreaking

 

[cascada27]

Oh gosh you have my absolute sympathy, it's a total nightmare!
I too have kept a diary but haven't really found a definite pattern of triggers. Mine has been scoped (all ok including guttural pouch), teeth/head X-ray (all ok) & trimegal nerve blocked (very little improvement). We tried a Pirtion trial - no difference, a bute trial - no difference & I'm currently giving him Tegretrol but he's been on it 3 weeks and he's still mainly unrideable!
My vet wants to do a CT scan next (if the insurance will!) but I don't hold out much hope of finding the answer to it all...
It has to be the most soul destroying thing!
For the record (incase there's something that works for yours in amongst the list!), I've tried:
Salt & magnesium (both mag ox & chloride & also Nuprafeed),
No grass,
24/7 grass,
He has only fibre, no grain & I've tried no feed at all,
Nose nets (net type & the Shakeaze one)
Full face masks
Total muzzle masks
Nasal sprays
Different bridle types, bits, no bits (however he does it with nothing on loose in the school or when not grazing...)
Chiropractors,
New saddle,
And finally....praying!!! ;p

I really hope your boy has the PENS therapy tomorrow and it starts to work! Please let me know how you get on, I'll keep everything crossed for you!

Oh sounds like you are in pretty much the same situation - interesting that yours showed little signs of improvement with the nerve block. I think that mine will have that tomorrow before the PENS to see how he reacts. I was under the impression that they would only do the PENS treatment if they showed a positive reaction from the nerve block we shall see!
Thanks for listing the other things you've tried - I have tried a couple of them. I was reading up on the magnesium supplement today, was going to see if that was worth trying!
yes mine does it all the time as well so not just being ridden, its no worse when he was being ridden, it was just the same. He does it more when hes tied up, or out in the field, anywhere really. Of course now im worried because he is living out all the time as being in makes it worse, that he will get too fat and end up with other problems. Is yours living out, or is he okay being stabled? I find if mine isnt grazing then he does it constantly and its more distressing for him.

I will keep the post updated and let you know how we get on! I hope that there becomes more known about the condition and in time they can develop a cure as its such a horrible feeling knowing there's not much that can be done.

Varkie - ah yes - I have heard that the success rate of it is less that 50%, so no miracle cure but worth doing while we are covered by the insurance if we are going to try it. My insurance only runs until the 31st January so we are only covered until then. Seeing as its been so bad the last month or so I though if we were going to try the PENS then the time should really be now!

I've heard of a few people who have had some success with acupuncture - not a cure, but seen case studies where it has eased the shaking.

 

[Dazed'n'confused]

Oh sounds like you are in pretty much the same situation - interesting that yours showed little signs of improvement with the nerve block. I think that mine will have that tomorrow before the PENS to see how he reacts. I was under the impression that they would only do the PENS treatment if they showed a positive reaction from the nerve block we shall see!
Thanks for listing the other things you've tried - I have tried a couple of them. I was reading up on the magnesium supplement today, was going to see if that was worth trying!
yes mine does it all the time as well so not just being ridden, its no worse when he was being ridden, it was just the same. He does it more when hes tied up, or out in the field, anywhere really. Of course now im worried because he is living out all the time as being in makes it worse, that he will get too fat and end up with other problems. Is yours living out, or is he okay being stabled? I find if mine isnt grazing then he does it constantly and its more distressing for him.

I will keep the post updated and let you know how we get on! I hope that there becomes more known about the condition and in time they can develop a cure as its such a horrible feeling knowing there's not much that can be done.

Varkie - ah yes - I have heard that the success rate of it is less that 50%, so no miracle cure but worth doing while we are covered by the insurance if we are going to try it. My insurance only runs until the 31st January so we are only covered until then. Seeing as its been so bad the last month or so I though if we were going to try the PENS then the time should really be now!

I've heard of a few people who have had some success with acupuncture - not a cure, but seen case studies where it has eased the shaking.

Do give Nuprafeed magnesium a try, quite a few have had success with it!
It's just so hard - like trying to piece an enormous jigsaw together when you haven't got the box lid to tell you what the picture actually is, plus some of the pieces are missing!
Mine is ok in the stable thankfully. He lives in at night & out during the day, although he was out 24/7 in summer. He is also ok in the field when grazing & (strangely) when it's cold & frosty! He can be fine when hacking up the roads but as soon as we hit grass/woods he starts (although he has previously hacked everywhere without doing it!) He is definitely worse when the weather warms up after a cold spell but other than that, there's no siginficant triggers that I can put my finger on...
My problem is that he's a big, young, boisterous warmblood who gets cheeky when not worked so I feel I have to keep trying to do a bit with him when I think I might be able to just to keep his brain amused (otherwise he undresses his friends in the field & harasses them to play!!)
Good luck tomorrow - it's worth a try seeing as he's at the vets anyway!

 

[cascada27]

Oh gosh yes, that's tricky isn't it. It's the struggle between trying to keep them entertained and their mental wellbeing okay, and not wanting to cause any unnecessary triggers of the headshaking.
Had our CT scan which came back clear (as expected). Got him in from the field at 6am this morning, no head shaking, although as you said in your last post, mine is also slightly better in the cold and frost! No headshaking on the journey to the vets either (90mins each way!) and none when I settled him into the stable either. Showed the vet the videos I had incase for some reason he didn't headshake throughout the day, he agreed he was a headshaker. No head shaking on the lunge either but started doing it badly after the CT scan.
Had our first session of the PENS treatment. The vet said that the right side of his face he tolerated the PENS well, but the left side was really tricky and was causing him a lot of pain when they were doing it, so that side of the nerve must be the most sensitive. Poor boy has 2 shaved patches on his face, neck and back, looked very sleepy when I went and got him, but no headshaking on the way back and went out happily to the field, had a roll and a little run around. Vet said it is very uncomfortable for him when he is headshaking but that he seems fine in himself when he's not doing it - when they are grazing, the stimulation from their muzzle eating the grass can distract/help which is why he doesn't do it when he is grazing.
Next treatment booked for next Friday. They said I probably won't notice anything after this treatment but hopefully there will be an improvement a few days after the one next Friday. But mainly the improvement (if there's going to be one) will be about a week after the last treatment - they said it can get worse before it gets any improvement! Going to go and get some magnesium for him at the weekend and try that as well!
Will keep the post updated on our progress - hopefully its of use/interesting. I know each case is different but might give you more of an insight if your considering it for your boy

 

[Dazed'n'confused]

Oh gosh yes, that's tricky isn't it. It's the struggle between trying to keep them entertained and their mental wellbeing okay, and not wanting to cause any unnecessary triggers of the headshaking.
Had our CT scan which came back clear (as expected). Got him in from the field at 6am this morning, no head shaking, although as you said in your last post, mine is also slightly better in the cold and frost! No headshaking on the journey to the vets either (90mins each way!) and none when I settled him into the stable either. Showed the vet the videos I had incase for some reason he didn't headshake throughout the day, he agreed he was a headshaker. No head shaking on the lunge either but started doing it badly after the CT scan.
Had our first session of the PENS treatment. The vet said that the right side of his face he tolerated the PENS well, but the left side was really tricky and was causing him a lot of pain when they were doing it, so that side of the nerve must be the most sensitive. Poor boy has 2 shaved patches on his face, neck and back, looked very sleepy when I went and got him, but no headshaking on the way back and went out happily to the field, had a roll and a little run around. Vet said it is very uncomfortable for him when he is headshaking but that he seems fine in himself when he's not doing it - when they are grazing, the stimulation from their muzzle eating the grass can distract/help which is why he doesn't do it when he is grazing.
Next treatment booked for next Friday. They said I probably won't notice anything after this treatment but hopefully there will be an improvement a few days after the one next Friday. But mainly the improvement (if there's going to be one) will be about a week after the last treatment - they said it can get worse before it gets any improvement! Going to go and get some magnesium for him at the weekend and try that as well!
Will keep the post updated on our progress - hopefully its of use/interesting. I know each case is different but might give you more of an insight if your considering it for your boy

Thank you so much for the update, it's much appreciated! Your boy sounds as random in his head shaking as mine at times, it's a total mystery! I know that sometimes if he's giddy or in a new situation it doesn't show because he's distracted but as soon as he settles he's back to being in agony! I have never been so frustrated in all the years I've had horses (& that's saying something ;p )!! I hate seeing him in pain, it's clearly agony...

I confess to giggling at your video collection - I have one too! I feel the need to prove to the vets that he does it because I think they thought I was imagining it (it was mild at first)!

Hope the PENS has some effect (eventually) - please update me again if possible!
Mine has another 10 days on Tegretrol & then I need to decide what to do next...

 

[cascada27]

Thank you so much for the update, it's much appreciated! Your boy sounds as random in his head shaking as mine at times, it's a total mystery! I know that sometimes if he's giddy or in a new situation it doesn't show because he's distracted but as soon as he settles he's back to being in agony! I have never been so frustrated in all the years I've had horses (& that's saying something ;p )!! I hate seeing him in pain, it's clearly agony...

I confess to giggling at your video collection - I have one too! I feel the need to prove to the vets that he does it because I think they thought I was imagining it (it was mild at first)!

Hope the PENS has some effect (eventually) - please update me again if possible!
Mine has another 10 days on Tegretrol & then I need to decide what to do next...

Update day 2 - so yesterday 1 day after the first PENS treatment and he was so so much worse than he had been before. I went down to the field and he was stood with his tail under another horses tail head shaking Was so hard to see. Took me ages to bring him in as he was rubbing his head on me and anything he could. I noticed in the field when he was moving when he was grazing he was rubbing his muzzle along the ground. I imagine his face was sore from the treatment. Apparently they aren't meant to be any worse after the first treatment, however I think because his left side was so sore and he found the treatment so awful, it perhaps will take a few days to settle. Was a hard day yesterday, felt awful and so sad that he was in so much pain.
Today however he seems a bit better - still lots of head shaking, however no where near as bad and distressing as yesterday! This afternoon when I went down to change his rug we had only 1 large twitch and a little bit when walking along but not much else. Still rubbing his head on me and a bit of the rubbing his muzzle on the ground when he is grazing but feel a little better about it all today as he seemed happier. I'm hoping that's positive, although its hard to tell if that's just him having a good moment! I've started him on the magnesium supplement as well - cant do any harm!

Keep me updated on your boy as well and what you decide to do next. Has the Tegretol had any effect at all? I know the vet mentioned there were some different drug trials that were being done. Yes always worth taking lots of videos to keep track of it! Ours was the same - started off mild and then progressed gradually to being awful!

(can see his shaved patched from the first treatment!)

 

[Dazed'n'confused]

Update day 2 - so yesterday 1 day after the first PENS treatment and he was so so much worse than he had been before. I went down to the field and he was stood with his tail under another horses tail head shaking Was so hard to see. Took me ages to bring him in as he was rubbing his head on me and anything he could. I noticed in the field when he was moving when he was grazing he was rubbing his muzzle along the ground. I imagine his face was sore from the treatment. Apparently they aren't meant to be any worse after the first treatment, however I think because his left side was so sore and he found the treatment so awful, it perhaps will take a few days to settle. Was a hard day yesterday, felt awful and so sad that he was in so much pain.
Today however he seems a bit better - still lots of head shaking, however no where near as bad and distressing as yesterday! This afternoon when I went down to change his rug we had only 1 large twitch and a little bit when walking along but not much else. Still rubbing his head on me and a bit of the rubbing his muzzle on the ground when he is grazing but feel a little better about it all today as he seemed happier. I'm hoping that's positive, although its hard to tell if that's just him having a good moment! I've started him on the magnesium supplement as well - cant do any harm!

Keep me updated on your boy as well and what you decide to do next. Has the Tegretol had any effect at all? I know the vet mentioned there were some different drug trials that were being done. Yes always worth taking lots of videos to keep track of it! Ours was the same - started off mild and then progressed gradually to being awful!

(can see his shaved patched from the first treatment!)

Ooof I bet you felt awful for him on the first day, poor boy. At least he seems less sore today! I wish I had a magic wand to wave over them both so we could have our pain free boys back!
I find it difficult when I know mine is in constant pain - I walked him out in hand this morning (very misty so I knew he might be not too bad!!) & then lunged him as he's beside himself with cheekiness! He didn't twitch much but he was reluctant to go forwards & he actually fell on his knees once as he was so desperate to itch his face....
The Tegretol has had no positive effect as far as I can tell! He is however just "off a beat" which I think accounts for the falling over (he's done it a few times now which has started since he's been on the drugs). My vet did say to be careful riding as he could be drowsy.....marvellous...not!!! To humour the vet I'll do the month's trial but I can't see him suddenly coming right in the next 10 days...

 

[cascada27]

Ooof I bet you felt awful for him on the first day, poor boy. At least he seems less sore today! I wish I had a magic wand to wave over them both so we could have our pain free boys back!
I find it difficult when I know mine is in constant pain - I walked him out in hand this morning (very misty so I knew he might be not too bad!!) & then lunged him as he's beside himself with cheekiness! He didn't twitch much but he was reluctant to go forwards & he actually fell on his knees once as he was so desperate to itch his face....
The Tegretol has had no positive effect as far as I can tell! He is however just "off a beat" which I think accounts for the falling over (he's done it a few times now which has started since he's been on the drugs). My vet did say to be careful riding as he could be drowsy.....marvellous...not!!! To humour the vet I'll do the month's trial but I can't see him suddenly coming right in the next 10 days...

Oh thats interesting about the drug trial that is makes them drowsy :s thats not great, although if it stopped the headshaking i would take that anyday! Yours must be right at the end of the trial now - any improvements at all? Have you thought about what you will try next?

We had our second PENS treatment on Friday. I stayed with him the whole time (didn't realize I was aloud too otherwise would have stayed the first time!)
Was very interesting too watch, and he responded much better on his sore side than he did the previous time, which was positive. He had been so bad the previous week after the first treatment - head shaking constantly, rubbing his head and dragging his muzzle on the ground, that i was so worried to take him back for the second treatment - the vet did say if he was still horrendously bad to maybe postpone the second one as we didnt want to make anything worse if it was sore. However the evening before i went down and he seemed a little better, although that could be because he seems to be slightly better at night and in the cold rather than in the day when the handshakings awful.

I got some Finadyne from the vet to give him for a few days after the treatment, as i was so worried he would be as bad as he was again after the first treatment, but he seems to be less headshakey (that we have seen - although we are only down at the yard for such a small amount of the day that its so difficult to tell) But no where near as bad as after the first treatment. Whether thats just the anti inflammatory stuff of if hes having a few 'good' days its hard to tell. Still on the magnesium supplement as well.

Next treatment is booked for next Friday, although the vet said if we start seeing any positive effects then push it back by a week - fingers crossed.

My vet did also mention some neurological pain relief meds that we can try if this doesn't work (cant remember the name of them - will find out next week) that some people have had very positive effects in head shaking with. He did say they are horribly expensive - few hundred a month) however we will try those if this doesn't help!

Let me know which route you decide to go down as well! Will keep you updated on our progress too.

 

[Dazed'n'confused]

Oh thats interesting about the drug trial that is makes them drowsy :s thats not great, although if it stopped the headshaking i would take that anyday! Yours must be right at the end of the trial now - any improvements at all? Have you thought about what you will try next?

We had our second PENS treatment on Friday. I stayed with him the whole time (didn't realize I was aloud too otherwise would have stayed the first time!)
Was very interesting too watch, and he responded much better on his sore side than he did the previous time, which was positive. He had been so bad the previous week after the first treatment - head shaking constantly, rubbing his head and dragging his muzzle on the ground, that i was so worried to take him back for the second treatment - the vet did say if he was still horrendously bad to maybe postpone the second one as we didnt want to make anything worse if it was sore. However the evening before i went down and he seemed a little better, although that could be because he seems to be slightly better at night and in the cold rather than in the day when the handshakings awful.

I got some Finadyne from the vet to give him for a few days after the treatment, as i was so worried he would be as bad as he was again after the first treatment, but he seems to be less headshakey (that we have seen - although we are only down at the yard for such a small amount of the day that its so difficult to tell) But no where near as bad as after the first treatment. Whether thats just the anti inflammatory stuff of if hes having a few 'good' days its hard to tell. Still on the magnesium supplement as well.

Next treatment is booked for next Friday, although the vet said if we start seeing any positive effects then push it back by a week - fingers crossed.

My vet did also mention some neurological pain relief meds that we can try if this doesn't work (cant remember the name of them - will find out next week) that some people have had very positive effects in head shaking with. He did say they are horribly expensive - few hundred a month) however we will try those if this doesn't help!

Let me know which route you decide to go down as well! Will keep you updated on our progress too.

Hi, was wondering today how you were getting on! Glad to hear that he's not as bad after his treatment this time! Fingers crossed he shows more improvement.
There's another drug similar to Tegretol that my vet mentioned (can't remember the name either!!) - they both work on neurological pain I think!

Mine has finished his Tegretol trial with no improvement shown at all. I'd say he's 99% unrideable at the moment - we grab the odd day of work now & then but he's still uncomfortable on these days - he actually seems worse at the moment, even head shaking when it's cold & frosty...
Spoke to the vet today & she said we could do a steroid trial or go for a CT scan. I don't see the point of trying more drugs at the moment so have opted for CT & go from there. I don't expect to find anything but at least it rules it out!

Will let you know how we get on too!

 

[cascada27]

Hi, was wondering today how you were getting on! Glad to hear that he's not as bad after his treatment this time! Fingers crossed he shows more improvement.
There's another drug similar to Tegretol that my vet mentioned (can't remember the name either!!) - they both work on neurological pain I think!

Mine has finished his Tegretol trial with no improvement shown at all. I'd say he's 99% unrideable at the moment - we grab the odd day of work now & then but he's still uncomfortable on these days - he actually seems worse at the moment, even head shaking when it's cold & frosty...
Spoke to the vet today & she said we could do a steroid trial or go for a CT scan. I don't see the point of trying more drugs at the moment so have opted for CT & go from there. I don't expect to find anything but at least it rules it out!

Will let you know how we get on too!

Oh that's such a shame it's had no effect! Ah maybe the drug I'm thinking of it the other one you mentioned then - I don't think there's many out there so could be.
Oh it's so horrible I wish it would just go away for all of them that suffer with it.
Yeah worth doing a CT - just another think to cross off the list really, but you never know.
I haven't been able to exercise mine for about 2 months even lunging seems to make it so much worse.
Vet said he's close to being dangerously fat so he's got to be on restricted grazing if he's out on grass then it distracts him a bit from the head shaking but now he's dangerously fat - worried if I restrict his grazing he will just stand and headshake! He seemed to be okay today though - day 1 of the diet and no headshaking again this evening when I was down. I did read a study where on the second treatment they headshaking improved for 4 days and then came back ...just a waiting game now to see what happens!

 

[spotty_pony2]

Sorry only just seen this! I've just posted a full report of where we are up to on this board if you want to read. We went back to Rossdales but because he didn't respond at all to the nerve block they are now reluctant to do the PENS and tbh we aren't even sure it's worth putting him through it if it isn't going to help. I'm going down the allergy route now, and then going to look at Crania Sacral Therapy and Acupuncture. Completely know what you are going through though - it's a nightmare isn't it and so upsetting!

 

[Dazed'n'confused]

Oh that's such a shame it's had no effect! Ah maybe the drug I'm thinking of it the other one you mentioned then - I don't think there's many out there so could be.
Oh it's so horrible I wish it would just go away for all of them that suffer with it.
Yeah worth doing a CT - just another think to cross off the list really, but you never know.
I haven't been able to exercise mine for about 2 months even lunging seems to make it so much worse.
Vet said he's close to being dangerously fat so he's got to be on restricted grazing if he's out on grass then it distracts him a bit from the head shaking but now he's dangerously fat - worried if I restrict his grazing he will just stand and headshake! He seemed to be okay today though - day 1 of the diet and no headshaking again this evening when I was down. I did read a study where on the second treatment they headshaking improved for 4 days and then came back ...just a waiting game now to see what happens!

Argh, if it's not one thing it's another!! Hopefully he'll be ok on his diet & continue to improve! You're doing all you can, I really feel for you!

 

[Dazed'n'confused]

Sorry only just seen this! I've just posted a full report of where we are up to on this board if you want to read. We went back to Rossdales but because he didn't respond at all to the nerve block they are now reluctant to do the PENS and tbh we aren't even sure it's worth putting him through it if it isn't going to help. I'm going down the allergy route now, and then going to look at Crania Sacral Therapy and Acupuncture. Completely know what you are going through though - it's a nightmare isn't it and so upsetting!

Ooo will have a look thanks - all info greatly received!
It's heartbreaking, let's hope we can all find something that helps but I have to say that the more I look into it all, the less optimistic I am...

 

[spotty_pony]

Yes, so am I. I was very upset this morning just because I feel like I am unable to help him.

 

[cascada27]

Yes it really is the most horrid thing to have to watch them go through. Fingers crossed the more research that goes on the closer they get to finding something to treat it. Fingers crossed for them all!
It's interesting to see all the updates and different routes that everyone is trying though - I'm sure you both feel the same that you've read pretty much everything there is to read about it so interesting that our 3 are all trying different options.

 

[Dazed'n'confused]

Yes it really is the most horrid thing to have to watch them go through. Fingers crossed the more research that goes on the closer they get to finding something to treat it. Fingers crossed for them all!
It's interesting to see all the updates and different routes that everyone is trying though - I'm sure you both feel the same that you've read pretty much everything there is to read about it so interesting that our 3 are all trying different options.

The trouble is that there's so little that they know about it that the vets are as flummoxed as we are and just go with almost a "guess" (albeit an educated one!) as to what they try and in what order! Frustrating!!

The hardest days for me are the ones where he's not too bad outwardly (just a few twitches & nose shutting) & others in the yard will say "oh is he ok now", yet I can see the pain in his eyes and knowing what a gentleman he is I know that he's carrying on despite having an immense headache.
Also when he's in his stable he's OK unless stressed so he goes back to being his cheeky self & is all soft and playful..... I could cry for him

 

[cascada27]

The trouble is that there's so little that they know about it that the vets are as flummoxed as we are and just go with almost a "guess" (albeit an educated one!) as to what they try and in what order! Frustrating!!

The hardest days for me are the ones where he's not too bad outwardly (just a few twitches & nose shutting) & others in the yard will say "oh is he ok now", yet I can see the pain in his eyes and knowing what a gentleman he is I know that he's carrying on despite having an immense headache.
Also when he's in his stable he's OK unless stressed so he goes back to being his cheeky self & is all soft and playful..... I could cry for him

Yeah i totally agree - theres so little known and everything seems to vary between one horse and the next so its just trial and error with each individual horse.

Oh I know - I know exactly what you are talking about - I sometimes think when mine doesn't do it because hes just tired of head shaking but I'm sure its still there. When you know your own animal so well you can tell when they have a change in their personality that other people wont notice, its heartbreaking!!

I'm finding it really difficult not being around all the time - I'm only there for such a small part of the day that its really difficult to say how he is - he could be headshaking constantly for the 23 hours I'm not there and then not do it for the time I'm there and i would think that he was having a non headshaking day - but really I don't know!

 

[spotty_pony2]

Do your horses wear nose nets in the stable/field out of interest? It does help my boy a lot but doesn't completely get rid of the symptoms but I found he had to wear it for a good few days for the symptoms to lessen.

 

[Dazed'n'confused]

Do your horses wear nose nets in the stable/field out of interest? It does help my boy a lot but doesn't completely get rid of the symptoms but I found he had to wear it for a good few days for the symptoms to lessen.

Mine is ok in the stable 95% of the time so doesn't wear one inside. In summer he had a full ear/eye/nose mask on which did help a bit as he's very reactive to flies, although on bad days it almost irritated him more & he would roll it off! I do work him in a nose net but again some days it makes him worse - I can usually tell when I go to touch his muzzle, he jerks away as if I've given him an electric shock - he then can't stand a net on...

 

[cascada27]

Do your horses wear nose nets in the stable/field out of interest? It does help my boy a lot but doesn't completely get rid of the symptoms but I found he had to wear it for a good few days for the symptoms to lessen.

I've not been riding mine at all since it started back this time so not sure if it would make a difference or not.
I did buy one beginning of last year to try when he was ridden but the headshaking stopped before I tried it. However he doesn't like having a head collar on when he's shaking so don't think he would like that left on in the field.

Update - on day 4 after second PENS treatment - only a couple of head shakes since he has had the second lot, very very minimal and no shaking for the last 2 days from what I can see. Haven't attempted to ride as paranoid about triggering it back, but managed to bring him in and brush him etc and no shaking.
Don't want to get my hopes up too high as I know it will return - been nice the last few days seeing him with basically no symptoms even if it is temporary.

 

[Dazed'n'confused]

Ooo fingers crossed it continues! It must be lovely for him to have some respite from it.
I've had to keep trying to work mine so I can see if the drug trial has worked at all (hes not bad enough in the field to truly tell) - if I have to tack up, get on & get off again 5 mins later once more I shall scream!!! Sometimes he's not too horrific in walk but I daren't trot because I know it'll start to get worse!!

 

[cascada27]

Ooo fingers crossed it continues! It must be lovely for him to have some respite from it.
I've had to keep trying to work mine so I can see if the drug trial has worked at all (hes not bad enough in the field to truly tell) - if I have to tack up, get on & get off again 5 mins later once more I shall scream!!! Sometimes he's not too horrific in walk but I daren't trot because I know it'll start to get worse!!

Yeah I feel like he's happier and more relaxed in himself. Just praying when it comes back it's not as bad as it was before. When he's. or grazing he just stands head shaking in the field so there was no point in my trying to exercise him as he was bad enough just in the field. Will have to see how he does over the next week or so. Would be lovely to be able to ride and exercise him again at some point but at this point I just want him to be able to be a normal horse and graze and be happy in himself!
That's positive that yours isn't that bad in the field - least he can be out grazing okay. Yeah I think a lot of the studies are only considered a 'success' when the horse is back to the same level of work as they were before the head shaking. I'm meant to try and exercise mine to see how the PENS is working but because he was so bad just being in the field and being brought in etc that I'm just not going to push it at all for the time being as too worried it will come back! If he's still showing little or no symptoms by the weekend I might attempt a lunge to see how he does!
Gosh yes I can imagine that's so frustrating tacking up just to find he's headshaking so badly you have to get off poor boys!

 

[spotty_pony2]

Do either of yours also suffers with itchy skin and twitch all over their bodies a lot? Just wondering if this is a typical symptom or not?

 

[cascada27]

No mine doesn't seem to be itchy at all or twitch. Just the head shaking! That does sound like it could be allergy related if yours is itchy and twitchy on his body?
Have you had the allergy tests yet? I have no idea how they actually do it - can they test for all sorts?