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How Do I Get Botox Injections for Migraines?

asked 1 year ago by donna4fit in Pittsburgh, PA
Latest answer by Rian Maercks, MD
Question viewed 1,297 times
Tags: doctor, migraine, options, qualifications

Do I Go to Dermatologist, Plastic Surgeon or Neurologist?

19 answers to How Do I Get Botox Injections for Migraines?

+2

Botox for migraine headaches

Botox is quite effective at reducing the severity and frequency of migraine headaches. We ask that patients first have a workup by a neurologist. You would not want to get Botox for headaches caused by a brain tumor or aneurysm! Botox treatments are then best optimized to the patient's physiology over time with a single caring attentive physician.
Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+2

Botox for Migraines

Interesting thing that a friend of mine just brought this up today. After proper diagnosis of the condition and if everything a neurologist does fails in treating migraines, botulinum toxin may be used with good success rates. Its not an all cure, but it does manage to cut down on the number of migraine attacks that you have. The injections are placed in certain areas and a person with a history of successfully treating the condition is able to administer the drug.
Hassan Galadari, MD

Dubai Dermatologist
+2

Botox received FDA approval for migraine treatment

Botox recently received FDA approval for migraine treatment meaning that most major insurance plans will cover the treatment.  However, in order to be covered, it must be documented that you have failed most medical therapy which is usually prescribed by a neurologist.  A doctor that is experienced in Botox injections for migraine treatment will be the best practitioner to visit for treatment.  This may include dermatologists, plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, and... more
Kristin Egan, MD

Manhattan Beach Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox for treating Migranes

Treatment of migranes is a very individualized process. The first step is to see a qualified plastic and reconstructive surgeon that can understand and guide you through the multiple surgical and nonsurgical options. The patient must present with an active migrane. Only migranes that are triggered by compression of peripheral nerves can be treated with botox, luckily at least in my practice this includes the majority. A plastic surgeon with craniofacial experience can... more
Rian Maercks, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Treatment of migraines with Botox

I would encourage you to get a consultation with a neurologist if you've  never seen one for your migraines and ask them about Botox.  The number of units may be different from what many of us are accustomed to using for cosmetic reasons and the trigger points may be different in different patients.
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Botox, Wrinkle Treatment, Beverly Hills Botox, Los Angeles Botox, Nasal Surgery, Beverly Hills Rhinoplasty

Any and all of the above would be able to give you Botox treatments.  You may want to start with the Neurologist that treats you for your migraines and see if he/she is experienced using Botox.
Francis R. Palmer, III, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox for Migraines

Many dermatologists are well trained in the administration of toxins for cosmetic reasons and have been performing this procedure for many years. Some of these dermatologists have been trained to treat migraine headaches with Botox. I suggest calling your dermatologists office and inquiring if they perform this procedure, if not, get a referral to a neurologist from your PMD.
Peter L. Kopelson, MD

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

A neurologist is likely your best choice for treatment of migraines with Botox

Although Botox is one of your treatment options for migraines, you should first be evaluated by a neurologist before you seek treatment. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons are experienced with the use of Botox for cosmetic purposes and for hyperhidrosis, neurologists are more experienced using it for migraines. You will also likely have better luck getting your insurance to pay if you go to the appropriate specialist.
Dina D. Strachan, MD

New York Dermatologist
+1

Botox for migraines

Botox was recently approved by the FDA to treat migraines, but it has been used for this purpose for quite a while.  If you are considering this treatment, first see a neurologist to be sure that your headaches are in fact caused by migraines.  If you decide that you would like to have Botox treatments for migraines, see  a neurologist for your treatment.  The injection sites for migraine treatment are very different from the sites used for cosmetic treatments.  You... more
Jordana Gilman, MD

New York Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Botox Cosmetic for Migraine Headaches

Hi donna4fit, The FDA only recently approved the use of Botox for chronic migraine patients, even though Botox has been used for years to help headaches. Generally, migraine medication must be used first before considering Botox treatment. Various specialists use Botox for multiple reasons, including cosmetic. A dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or neurologist could provide Botox for migraines. However, your primary care physician or internist could also perform the procedure. Only... more
Houtan Chaboki, MD

Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox effective for migraines

Dermatologists and plastic surgeons have a more experience using Botox than neurologists. Getting insurance to cover will require much trouble and many hoops to jump through. My advice, pay a dermatologist or plastic surgeon for Botox to the forehead area only and see if it works. If so go back to the neurologist and begin the insurance pre-approval process.
Daniel J. Ladd Jr., DO

Austin Dermatologist
+1

Botox for migraines by oculoplastic surgeon or neurologist

Botox was first used for many years by oculoplastic surgeons almost exclusively.  For instance, I have been using Botox for facial spasms since 1989, years before it was considered for migraine or cosmetic uses.  However, migraine diagnosis is the province of neurologists.  The bottom line is that you should be properly diagnosed, keep a diary of your migraine frequency and severity to be able to judge the efficacy of Botox, and identify an injector with as much experience as... more
Richard Weiss, MD

Newport Beach Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

How Do I Get Botox Injections for Migraines?

Hard to chose which specialist you should go to. If you are trying to obtain insurance coverage for migraine treated by BOTOX than of course a neurologist. Better to justify the need as medical not cosmetic. From MIAMI 
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Many migraine headaches respond to botox injecitons

Many migraine headaches respond to botox injecitons. The specialty of the treating physician is less important than his experience in treating migraine headaches with botox. If the appropriate muscles are not treated in a titrating fashion the treatment often will not work.
Edward Lack, MD

Chicago Dermatologist
+1

Botox and Migraines

Botox works very well for the treatment of many migraines, especially those that are triggered by muscle tension. The most common areas treated are those in originating in the occipital, temporal, frontal and glabella regions. I agree that insurance coverage is most easily achieved by visiting a Neurologist.  However, interestingly, many neurologists in our part of the country refer these patients for treatment. Most of the other disciplines you mentioned who perform Botox... more
Jon E. Mendelsohn, MD

Cincinnati Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.351face.com

+1

Botox for Migraines

First your headaches need to be evaluated and treated by a family physician, internist, or neurologist. If treatment is not successful, only then (with their guidance) should Botox injections by an experienced physician be considered. Also, your insurance would be much more likely to cover Botox injections when you go through the proper steps.
Mitchell Schwartz, MD

South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon

dorsetstreetdermatology.com

+1

Does it really make sense for a dermatologist to manage migraines?

Donna BOTOX for migraines is used when other standard means have not helped.  You will have side effects from BOTOX for migraines.  I strongly advise that if you are considering this treatment, that you should be having your migraines managed by a neurologist, rather than a dermatologist, facial plastic surgeon, plastic surgeon, or gp.  The neurologist will be certain that you have been properly worked up for the migraines.  They will assess your response to standard... more
Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Follow-the-pain is a common approach when injecting BOTOX® for migraine

On the basis of my experience over the past 7 years treating over 200 patients who have migraine and other forms of headache and/or TMJ pain, the best way to administer BOTOX® is to use the follow-the-pain approach. This means that it is important to take a detailed history of which areas are affected, where the pain starts, and were it radiates to. When areas on the face and forehead are treated, it is important for the doses to be symmetrical so that the relaxation from BOTOX®... more
Kevin C. Smith, MD

Niagara Falls Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

BOTOX for Migraines does work

Headache relief is often a side-effect of cosmetic BOTOX administration. The technique offered for BOTOX treatment of migraines does differ slightly in both sites targeted and amount of medicine used. If you wish to access care under your insurance plan, you will need to see a neurologist for treatment. Barry Resnik, MD, Dermatologist, Miami, FL
Barry Resnik, MD

Miami Dermatologist

www.drresnik.com

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