Botox for Migraines: Creating More Intense Headaches Than Before

asked 10 months ago by Not4Sakn in Simpsonville, SC
Latest answer by Ronald Shelton, MD
Question viewed 369 times
Tags: eyebrows, forehead, neck, shoulder, dizzy, migraine, pressure, side effects, temples

I just had about 200 units of Botox administered for chronic tension headaches. This was performed by a neurologist in Atlanta, GA. The injections were at the brow, forehead, temples, back of head, neck, and upper shoulders. It has been roughly 24hrs since the injections and today I experienced a very odd dizzy like feeling with lots of pressure around my head. My head feels heavy, foggy, and slightly disoriented. I read that herbal cleansers could help deactivate this toxin.

8 answers to Botox for Migraines: Creating More Intense Headaches Than Before

Botox for Migraines

The injection patterns and dosages for migraines are quite different than for cosmetic use. That said, 200 units is on the aggresive side, especially if this is your first time trying this treatment. Don't take that to mean the dosage was too high, just aggressive. Headaches do occur after Botox injection. Migraine patients should be more susceptible to this problem than most. It is always self-limited, but I have seen it take a few days. If... more

Joseph Campanelli, MD
Minneapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon

This will likely be temporary

Botox works very well for migraines, however, sticking you with a needle hurts, and sometimes can cause a headache that lasts for days. I didn't truely understand this until I got just such a headache after I injected botox into my own face. I have done so for years without any headache, however a few years ago I got a fairly severe headache after what I thought was a routine self-administered botox session. What I think happened was that I skewered a vessel and had bleeding under... more

Reginald Rice, MD
Sacramento Facial Plastic Surgeon

Botox for migraines

Please consult with your doctor who did the treatment. Let the neurologist know your issue and they can tell you best with the experience they've had if this headache is common or if they need you to come back for an evaluation. They would know best as they know exactly the different areas they injected and how many units per site.

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

200 units is a large dose of BOTOX

200 units is a large dose of BOTOX and if you are experiencing side effects from it, I would recommend going to the hospital right away to make sure you don’t have any toxicity related to the BOTOX. I am not familiar with herbal cleansers, but there is a very rare chance that it can affect you systemically. see video

Joseph A. Eviatar, MD
Bronx Oculoplastic Surgeon

Botox works on certain types of migraines

The act of injecting Botox can cause temporary headaches. This will go away in 1-2 weeks. Be advised, however, that not all migraies respond to neoromodulators like Botox.

Mary Lupo, MD
New Orleans Dermatologist

Symptoms of Too Much Botox

Your symptoms sound to me like you had way too much Botox. 200 units sounds to me like a huge dose for chronic tension headaches. I have had a great deal of success treating tension headaches with very localized injections of far less Botox than this. I believe in starting slow and adding as necessary.

Mitchell Schwartz, MD
South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon

dorsetstreetdermatology.com

No herbal cleansers will not "deactivate" this toxin.

What you are describing is a systemic reaction to your BOTOX treatment. These are very unpleasant. I hope you did your homework and actually got service from someone who was more interested in appropriately treating you than simply taking your money. I generally trust neurologists for this type of treatment. This was a whopping dose of BOTOX. Most legitimate injectors would start with much smaller doses of BOTOX first before going to such a high dose. I would... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

I doubt this reaction is due to the Botox.

Give the Botox seven to ten day to be fully effective before jumping to conclusions. Also keep in contact with your neurologist regarding your symptoms and your response to treatment.