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Have You Tried Botox for Migraine?

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18 Comments

  • Suzy - 3 years ago

    I'm nearing my mid 60s. Have had chronic migraine since my mid teens. Won't make this too long hopefully. Like so many, I've been on a number of various meds; not necessarily all at once, but throughout my years. Currently, for about the last twenty years, I'm on daily meds such as Topiramate and when needed, Zolmitriptan. The Zolmitriptan helps most of the time. However, I get limited amounts. Plus, being over 60, most of the Neurologists have also cautioned its use. I can understand why. I've been taking it well over 17 years and being older, I feel some side effects I hadn't from earlier years. All these medications will get you one way or another. I had tried the Botox about six years ago, after almost a full year of "thinking it over." My then Neurologist kept nudging me toward it. I refused each time telling him I needed to think it over. After much thought, I had made the decision to try it about a year later. My first initial injection, wasn't painful. At least to me, and I hoped it would help. Within 18 hours, half of my face dropped, including my drooping eye. Almost like a "Bells Palsy." My face remained this way for more then a month. Of course I called my Neurologist and told him what happened. While he sounded "somewhat concerned," he had the nerve to ask me to make an appointment to come to the office in about five weeks for my NEXT injection. I was very annoyed at his lack of respect and professionalism. I was a bit surprised as he was my Neurologist for almost eight years. Needless to say, I moved on.

  • Yvonne Sayer - 5 years ago

    I have a rare and chronic severe pain condition as well as severe Famial hemeplegic migraine average 20+ painful migraine and paralysis or semi paralysis days .This is a genetic mutation cobdirion that basically specialists can only try to limit pain , it’s not curative medication for me but when it does work even if it reduces pain by 10 or 15% of the month that’s a life saver situation for me both physically and mentally it gives me a break from the f.h.m. For a short while .chronic pain and disability for many years can lead to bouts of depression .Many medicines prescribed for such pain can also create depression as a side effect as doctors fully are aware .When in a desperate situation when all the usual 1st 2 nd and 3 rd phase drugs don’t work then a suffere May will be willing to try Botox .do not expect a miracle cure that won’t happen , but it can give you a break for a short while from chronic pain when all other meds fail.there was a time I was afraid of injections and Botox sounded horrific now the discomfort initially and stiffness in the neck or shoulders is worth tolerating compared to other meds that are not only addictive long term but also damage the stomach colon and intestines .it is not to be used lightly it will not cure but it may help you get relief for a short while .for a chronic pain sufferer statistics don’t matter afew pain free hours enabling you to be able to tolerate other difficulties you have physically and mentally does matter , it may not help sone but fir those it does help hopefully unlike myself it may enable them to live a life of some quality rather than mere fire fighting endurance on a daily basis .anyone with long term chronic hm along side other physical disabilities hopefully will find some relief when all else has failed . I would not recommend it as an initial first base treatment but I am grateful to be able to be offered Botox for a short period .tgere are many alternatives for other types of migraine however lifestyle , behaviour ,diet and all the other triggers have to be considered as a reality check and acknowledgement of self management .i can to some extent control my behaviour sadly I cannot control others behaviour that can trigger an attack.Perfume , bleach, chemical smells, noise light fast editing in films, sound and movement , weather and climate changes strefful situation are all possible triggers .ackniwledge what triggers you limit be aware of what you can’t .having a pragmatic realistic appraisal of your illness then taking whatever actions are needed to limit triggers and a positive hopeful outlook of self control will help you both physically and mentally .do not expect Botox to be a cure a simple answe to a complex condition it isn’t that however fir some it will help when all else that is legally available does not work.

  • Cathy - 5 years ago

    My migraines are triggered by weather change, mostly wind, chinooks, drastic weather changes. While getting my migraine prescription renewed at a walkin clinic. The dr advised me that i was definitely a candidate for the 31 botox migraine injection procedure, it would help my 14-15 migraines a month in the peak weather change season. I had done botox in my forehead previously 4x before over the years for my migraines, and they did give me some relief for 3 months, but were expensive. So when he told me that most t insurances will cover i now, i thought i met an Angel and was desperate and vulnerable for any relief, So with no literature or warnings i agreed to him performing the procedure, and i regret it. My medical condition worsened so much that i was admitted in the hospital and 3 months of not being able to work or have a normal life created more inconvenience on my family both physically and financially . 3 Neurologist in the hospital that saw me said that they've never seen such a severe reaction to a procedure that they perform daily. They implied that possibly the procedure was not done appropriately to cause the severity. My Neurologist and my family Dr both state that this is not the norm, and that this was not an allergic reaction to the botox, which is what the dr that performed the procedure has implied, and that its my fault i reacted this way. There was no sympathy or apology, but a huge financial loss, and that i now have a hard time trusting even medical personnel treating me. If you are looking into the 31 injections, please know that there are severe risks, of severe pain, hospitalization, an emotional crisis and financial loss.

  • Nadia Senyk - 5 years ago

    Botox gave me a life for which I am very grateful. The cost, however, is a significant burden. Ontario Health Insurance Plan will not even pay for injections by neurologist, let alone for the Botox. Without Botox, my life was severely limited.

  • Lainey - 5 years ago

    Am into my second year of botox injections for migraines, i have IIH(idiopathic intracranial hypertention) high fluid pressure.
    I am also takin acetazolomide and topamax and other meds, but the botox shots do help somewhat, but dont seem to work as well as they use to, as they use to be a god send where as now i hoping to find something else! But botox works differently for everyone! I wish everyone well on there journey :)

  • Berni - 6 years ago

    So, let me just start by explaining that every headache is not a migraine. Who knew. I suffered daily bouts for approximately 10 years after a car crash. I would push through, suck down Excedrin migraine like tic tacs, use my prescription medication sparingly, (I hate to drool on my own shirt) and if I was lucky throw up. then about 9 months ago I was sent for Botox injections.

    Within 24 hours of the treatment, it was like the clouds parted and the sun came out. My head did not ache, I was moving my eyes (because I did not realize I didn't do that, or that I dd not blink for that matter). Now remember, this treatment doesn't work for everyone, but it so did for me and I will never turn back.

    One of the most important things to look for is a Dr. who is experienced in migraine therapy and the practice of Botox (plastic surgeon). My referring Dr. did research and sent me to a cutting edge plastic surgeon leading the way in migraine therapy.

    I have injections every three months and will never be without them. My insurance pays for them so I am fortunate. Don't get me wrong I am not completely symptom free, but I do not suffer everyday. If I have a migraine once or twice a month hell that's walking on water. Neck pain? Not anymore only when I have a headache.

    For me, this is a GOD sent!

  • Rachel - 6 years ago

    I was getting Botox for chronic migraine for about 2 years, prior to this I was lucky to go a few hours a month without pain, including 1-2 acute attacks per week. After a few treatments I was going up to a few weeks without ANY pain! I would still get acute attacks, but they were far less frequent (maybe once a month), less severe, wouldn't last as long, and medications were more effective (as I wasn't taking them as frequently anymore). I hate needles, but it was far better than the pain I would suffer without Botox. The only side effects I had was a few days of headache after each treatment and the obvious "frozen" forehead, but was constantly being told how young I looked (added benefit)! The first couple treatments my forehead felt heavy due to the muscles being paralyzed but it wasn't long before I didn't notice it anymore. I wasn't getting horrible side effects like what I had from the various prophylactic medications I've tried over the years.

    The cost definitely is definitely worth it for me, but unfortunately the treatment (even being covered under the health system) leaves me out of pocket a few hundred dollars each time and I can't currently afford it. I'm 2 months overdue for treatment and the pain is coming back more and more each day, and starting to get back to the point where I can't function properly through the daily pain.

  • Rhonda Tortorich - 6 years ago

    I have been getting Botox injections for over a year. The effects seem to kick in after about two weeks and wear off about six weeks before the next set of injections. That leaves a lot of time with daily pain. I no longer get the injections on the back of my neck because it cause too much neck strain and pain. I get the injections in my scalp, forehead, and temples. Although I get about six weeks of relief, I am currently seeking other things to help relieve my daily and constant pain.

  • Serena - 6 years ago

    For me it made the headache worse. It felt as thou someone was pushing on my forehead for months and my neck felt tired all the time. I had agreed to try again, without the shots to my forehead, but my doctor said it wasn't worth it if made things worse.

  • Erica - 7 years ago

    Have had Botox A several times and while it helps migraines/tension headaches/Chiari headaches post-surgery, the effects are short lived (1-2 months). Getting Botox B tomorrow to see if it will be better.

  • Colette Frawley-Bailey - 7 years ago

    Yes I had 33 Botox injections and it made my migraine horrendously worse!

  • Amanda - 7 years ago

    I've had it for awhile. But seems my severity of migraines almost every day/night is starting back.

  • Joeli - 8 years ago

    I have been getting botox for over a year, i still get migraines, but i have not been to the hospital since . Since i been getting botox i am now able to catch them before they become bad ... i will take that !!

  • Joyce - 8 years ago

    I have been getting botox for about three years now, faithfully every three months. If i get a bruise its tiny ans he administers the injections with such preciseness the pain is minimal compared to migraines. I am all but migraine free. It is liquid gold to me.

  • Nesi - 8 years ago

    Dropped from daily to 1-4 a month average. I've had botox injections the last 3yrs. The first time was amazing. As with anything with migraines mine are chronic and daily basis since 2006, so the triggers and effect are always changing saying this the injections had to be changed as well. Where they were injected the first time didn't work as to where they were injected the next time. Mine has to be done every 2-3 months. I have no insurance so it's sometimes hard to come up with the money. I also take Topamax for preventative. Watch my triggers always looking and scoping out the new triggers. All in all of course I still get migraines but Thank God they are not what they were or as often. Life is much better with botox and topamax as for the cost I will do what I can as long as I can and that's all any of us can do.. I'm going today to try the Daith ear piercing. Who knows it just may be another preventative to add to the list, if not maybe it will grow back! Blessings to all that endure this horrific pain and just pain in the backside!

  • Alice - 8 years ago

    The first time I tried boric injections for my chronic migraines....my neck head and back hurt more for the first few days before it sent back to normal severe neck .. Upper back muscle pain...that I have delt with for almost 5 years now with no relief. But have done three injections for my chronic migraines And no more extreme neck..back..head pain. It only lasts one month of no migraines just regular minor headaches which I'll take than migraines every day.

  • Lourdes - 8 years ago

    It works for me not only for migraines but TJM. I suffer from polymyositis a muscle disorder that affected vmy speech, body movement including bmy facial muscles. I can't describe how immediately works on my jaw and facial muscle improving my speech as well. I can smile more and relax my all my facial expressions.

  • Jess - 8 years ago

    I have been getting Botox for chronic migraine for about a year and a half now. I have had varied results every time. It depends on the time of year. It seems to be less effective during the winter because the high altitude that I live at makes my migraines worse especially when there are frequent barometric pressure and temperature changes. I was diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome and the Botox helps with the muscle spasms I get on my scalp.

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