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Botox for Migraines - Does It Work?

I have been having bad migraines for almost my entire life and they kill me or at least feels like they will. I have heard about Botox Injections to help the amount and intensity of migraines?

Asked 31 months ago by sands29445 in SC

Tags:

migraine

Botox for Migraines

Hi, Botox does work for migraines that have a muscle tension component. The original studies on this originated from UCLA about 9 years ago. If the migraine is due to other causes such as hormonal, it will not respond to Botox. Over the years, many of my patients that had migraines due to tension in the forehead have benefitted from Botox in those areas to reduce forehead wrinkles. If you have tension related migraines that originate from other muscle areas on the... more

Grace Liu, MD

Newport Beach Dermatologic Surgeon

Botox for the treatment of migraines

The answer is yes. Botox works on many migraine sufferers and is currently FDA approved for the treatment of migraines. My daughter suffers from migraines and she has Botox quarterly and it has made a significant difference in her life. When she does suffer the occasional migraine she states the pain is less severe and shorter lasting. Migraines can be debilitating for so many who suffer with them and I am a strong supporter of Botox in managing migraine pain. It may not cure all migraine... more

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Michael Elam, MD

Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

Yes, Botox often works for chronic migraines

Numerous studies have shown Botox to be helpful for many patients with migraine. Also, it is common for patients who get Botox for cosmetic reasons to remark that they suffer fewer headaches in the 3 or 4 months following Botox injections. The reasons why Botox is often helpful for headaches are not clear. It is important that a person's chronic headaches are first evaluated and optimized by conventional methods by a physician who frequently sees headache patients... more

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Mark J. Lucarelli, MD

Madison Oculoplastic Surgeon

Botox and migraines

Botox is wonderful in the treatment of migraine headaches that are triggered by stress and muscle contracture. My wife is the poster child for this--she had horrible migraines, was on daily beta-blockers, rescue medications and would require a day spent in a dark room for a headache. So, we tried botox and within about 2 weeks her headaches seemed much less frequent, she came off her daily headache med, she no longer needs rescue meds. She hasn't taken a day off work in years due to... more

Thomas B. Lintner, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Botox for migraines

Botox has become a staple for migraine patients. Although a number of studies have come out showing benefits, and all of us performing the injections know the benefits, still, the use of Botox for migraines is off-label. When Reloxin comes out, the greater volume of distribution may be even more beneficial for patients with migraines than Botox. Neurologic evaluation is always necessary before treating patients for migraines. You wouldn't want to treat a brain tumor with Botox! The... more

Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Botox - A cost effective treatment for Migraines

Migraines are debilitating and costly to treat. Often patients spend hundreds of dollars a month on Fiorenal, Imitrex etc. each of which can also have side effects. While botox doesn't work in all patients, the side effects are minimal. At a cost of approximately $500, many people get relief for 3 to 4 month. Sometimes insurance even covers the cost. I recommend giving it a try. Good luck.

Craig Vander Kolk, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Botox for Treatment of Migraine Headaches

Hello and thank you for the question. Allergan recently received FDA approval to market Botox for chronic migraine headaches in adults. If the migraine is due to non-muscle tension component causes, it will not respond to Botox. During the duration of my practice, I have noted that several of my patients with a history of migraine headaches have benefitted from Botox Cosmetic. Having said that, the injections for migraines are in administered in entirely different anatomic locations than... more

Glenn Vallecillos, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Botox for migraines

Yes, Botox has been proven to work for "chronic" migraine headaches. It was recently FDA-approved for this. Chronic migraines are those that regularly occur more than 14 days per month. Of course, just like the cosmetic treatment, botox for migraines is not a permanent answer. Follow-up treatments are necessary.

Thomas Fiala, MD

Altamonte Springs Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Botox for migraines can be very effective in the right patient

Botox for migraines can be tremendously effective in the right patient. The right patient is one who has a specific focus or trigger point for their migraine which is associated with a compression area of a sensory branch of a cranial nerve. These areas would be the brow, temporal and occipital areas. If patients feel that their headaches specifically starts at a point area in these regions, they may likely have muscular compression or squeezing of the nerve exit or pathway. Botox... more

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD

Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

It works in selected cases

Indeed if the headache has a tension component, injecting the muscle responsible for the tension has a good chance to treat or at least diminish the headache episodes. Very often headaches have many components, so if a patient comes for cosmetic botox treatment and asks for a trial treatment of his/her headache, it is definitely worth a shot. I have treated the Temporals muscle (large chewing muscle at the temple) and the Occipitalis muscle (high in the neck) a number of times with... more

Alexis Verpaele, MD

Belgium Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS

Botox for Chronic Migraines

Facial plastic surgeons have known for years that Botox has given relief to some patients with migraine headaches. Allergan, the makers of Botox, have recently gained market approval for the use of Botox in patients with chronic migraines, by completing lenghty controlled studies showing efficacy in this group of patients. There will be more studies forthcoming on patients with other types of headaches. Headache specialist such as neurologist and internal medicine... more

James Newman, MD

Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

Botox may help migraines in some people.

Botox has been shown to be helpful and life changing for some people with migraine headaches, but it is not a guarantee, and works differently for everyone. I recommend seeing a neurologist and headache specialist for the best chance of good medical Botox results for your migraines. Do not rely on your cosmetic Botox to be the cure; however, you may actually truly notice improvement in headaches even with cosmetic Botox.

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Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH

Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon

Botox vs surgery for migraines

Botox has been shown to improve migraines and the mechanism of action is thought to relax the muscles in the area that may be putting pressure on the nerve. Patients who have relief with Botox, may also be candidates for a surgical procedure to release the muscle's pressure on the nerve. The operation is similar to a carpal tunnel release in the wrist which frees pressure on a nerve in the hand. If you get relief of your migraines with Botox, ask your surgeon about the option of surgery... more

Darrick E. Antell, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Botox vs Migraine Surgery

Botox is FDA approved for patients with chronic migraines age 18 and over. Chronic means that you have greater than 15days per month of migraine headaches and each episode lasts greater than four hours. Certain patients have what is called a "peripheral trigger" for their headache pain. A peripheral trigger is a site in the head and neck where the superficial nerves that give you feeling to the face and scalp get compressed or irritated. When these... more

Michael A. Fallucco

Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon

Botox for Migraines

Yes, Botox often helps for migraines and other types of headaches.I have seen it hep migraine patients for 3 to 6 months. This can definitely be life changing for the person with severe headaches. Since it was approved by the FDA for migraines your insurance may cover it.

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Esta Kronberg, MD

Houston Dermatologic Surgeon

Treating Migranes with Botox, an intelligent comprehensive approach is essential

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

Botox for migraines

The short answer is: Yes it works Even though the frequency of migraine attacks does not change, the intensity of the attacks is greatly reduced in most cases. Also, some types of migraine respond better thanothers. The mode of action has not yet been well established. A study done in 2006 showed that Botox suppresses pain stimuli transmission along certain nerve fibers of the face and neck It could be also due to a relaxation of the muscles that press... more

Eugene Mandrea, MD

Chicago Dermatologist

Botox for Migraine and Tension-type Headaches

Botox was recently FDA-approved for the treatment of migraine and tension-type headaches. I have seen many patients who get Botox solely because it helps decrease the frequency and severity of headaches. It is not well understood why Botox helps, but there are many theories. I typically treat the glabellar region and forehead for patients who suffer from headache.

Relief Jones, III, MD

San Antonio Ophthalmologist

Botox for migraines

Botox has been shown to be very helpful in treating migraines. However, I'd recommend going to someone who has experience in it's administration specifically for migraines to help ensure the most effective and safe results. Dr. Cat Begovic M.D.

Catherine Huang-Begovic, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Botox for migraines

Botox can help with certain migraines especially tension related headaches. There are many patients who come in specifically for treatment of headaches with Botox but prior to knowing that Botox would work for headaches, many dermatologists were noticing that some patients would report anecdotally that their headaches would improve suddenly after getting Botox for the forehead and glabellar muscles.

M. Christine Lee, MD

Walnut Creek Dermatologic Surgeon

It can help!

While there is never a guarantee, I can definitely say, from personal experience, that it is definitely worth a shot. It has worked for my patients and it worked for me!

Victoria W. Serralta, MD

Arlington Dermatologic Surgeon

Botox for headaches

I always ask patients about their headaches before and weeks after botox. It is amazing the positive response as far as the effect on their headaches. Some patients come to initially get botox for wrinkles, but they keep coming back for the relief it also gives them from their headaches.

Randy Proffitt, MD

Mobile Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Botox works for migraines

I ask almost every first time Botox patient If they get migraines. If they say yes I ask them to keep track of how many migraines they get after they get Botox. Almost all of them say they had fewer migraines on Botox than they did before they used Botox. Hope this helps. Take care.

Daniel J. Ladd Jr., DO

Austin Dermatologist

Botox works for some patients with migraine

Botox relaxes muscles and has also a pain relieving effect. It also my experience that patients with migraine oder tension headache can benefit from Botox treatments. The producer of Botox, Allergan, is currently seeking FDA approval for this.

Robert Kasten, MD

Mainz Dermatologic Surgeon

Botox for migraines

Allergan has not yet receved FDA approval to market Botox injections for migraine headaches even though clinical studies are currently in Phase III. Botox injections for headaches are commonly administered by doctors and plastic surgeons as a viable treatment option. Plastic surgeons inject Botox primarily into the forehead to relieve pain and tension. Some physicians will also inject into the neck and shoulders. The botulinum toxin is thought to eliminate migraines by reducing muscle... more