Botox for Chronic Migraines
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Margo Zargo
- updated 1 year ago
I've suffered with chronic migraines for the past...
- 16 Aug 2012
- 1 day pre
I've suffered with chronic migraines for the past 35 years, and I've taken all of the following medicines:
Divalproex ER 250MG, Oxycodone 5MG, Abilify, Topamax, Cafergot, Prozac, Depakote, Atenolol, Sumatriptan, Migranal Spray, and so many others that I can't even remember the names of them.
The Sumatriptan and the Migranal Spray work some of the time, but they both have side effects and have expensive med co-pays.
Tomorrow, I'm going to get Botox from a neurologist to see if it will help. The only thing that I'm really concerned about is that they injected it where they want it and not where you want it, as a dermatologists does. However, my headaches are so excruciating that I guess it will be OK, if it works. I'll let you know if I look weird and if it helps at all.
The neurologist will be injecting the Botox with about 30 shots in my face, temples, and neck. Luckily, my insurance will cover it because I have extensive, medical documentation records regarding all of the medicines that have failed to provide me with any relief. I've attach a drawing that is similar to where the doctor will be placing the injections.
I got the Botox injections done yesterday, and it...
- 18 Aug 2012
- 1 day post
The doctor gave me an Rx for some pain cream, but I didn't have to fill it since the pain was only in a few spots and went away in about an hour.
The whole procedure only took about 1/2 hour once she started with the shots. It took the doctor more time to mix the medication before we started. She used five syringes, two giant ones with large needles, and three small ones with tiny needles. The large syringes were used for the back of my head and sides of my neck. The smaller ones were used for my forehead and temples. She started with the face injections firsts, then the temples, and did the back of my head and neck last.
I only have one small bruise on my face by my hair line, which can easily be covered with makeup. No pain anymore at all, and I don't see or notice any difference in the way my skin looks or moves.
The doctor said that it takes about one week for the shots to kick in, and that most people don't see any reductions in the amount of migraines they get until the second secession of shots, which are given in three months. I have a followup appointment in two months, and then a month after that I'll get the second set of shots.
I'll let you know in a week if any of my wrinkles smooth out since I know this Web site is really for beauty tips. I'm 52, so if they do, that it would be an extra plus, but I really, really want to get some relieve from my migraines.
The reason I decided to post here is because there are really no other sites that have honest user reviews about Botox, like the Real Self does. There are also no posts from people that have actually had Botox for migraines on this site, and all you can find on the Internet are articles about the procedure and some small, trial sample results.
I read all of the Botox posts here before my procedure, and I was thinking....I'm not going to do that, but once I got another terrible migraine, it didn't matter anymore.
It's been one week since I got my Botox...
- 23 Aug 2012
- 6 days post
I'm very happy with my appearance, though. I look about seven years younger, and I don't have any droopy eyelids, mannequin face, or a giant forehead like the Martians in the movie "Mars Attacks."
The best outcome so far is something that I never expected...
I'm also partially deaf, due to a virus I got five years ago, and to make a long story short, I now have only 20% hearing in my left ear and 80% in my right ear. I wear hearing aids in both ears, and that helps a lot with the hearing loss. However, I also have terrible tinnitus in my left ear, and about three days ago, I noticed that the ringing and high-pitched whining, electric buzzing noises in my left ear have been greatly diminishing. If it stays like this now, a light seashore noise, than that alone will make the injections worth it.
For the past few days, it has been the first time in the past five years that I'm actually able to concentrate on projects, instead of trying to concentrate over constant ringing noises in my left ear. I'm going to mention it to my neurologist when I go to my follow-up appointment in two months. This is one side-effect that I don't mind at all!
It's been about three weeks since I had my first...
- 8 Sep 2012
- 22 days post
I'm still getting headaches, but they are just regular ones and not excruciating migraines. The tinnitus in my left ear is still softer. My forehead wrinkles are less apparent, but on the outer sides where the doctor didn't use any Botox they appear worse because the middle of my forehead is much smoother. I can now see how when one fixes something on their face that they start to focus on something else and want to fix that, too.
I do have a constant stiffness in my upper back at the base of my neck that I'll have to discuss with my doctor, but a couple of Ibuprofen in the morning are all I need. I also have to splash water on my face the first thing when I wake up and use anti-itch eye drops, or my eyebrows seem, to me, to look too high. My husband doesn't notice any difference, so maybe it's just me, but I think it helps. Everyone says that I don't look any different at all.
I'm just so happy that this has helped my migraines so soon, and all the other minor neck and back stiffness is nothing compared to the migraines and tinnitus. The neurologist told me that I probably wouldn't get any relief until the second round of shots, and I'm just ecstatic that it didn't take that long!!!
I added some before and after pictures
- 12 Sep 2012
- 26 days post
I added some before and after pictures. The text that I added to the pictures got cut off in the upload. The first picture of my forehead was taken two days ago, three and a half weeks after the Botox, and the other, more wrinkled photo, was taken in 2007 when I was 47.
I was even more wrinkled-up a few weeks ago, as I'm 52 now.. I just happen to be putting these pictures into a photo album, they're both untouched. What a difference! Not only are my headaches better, but so in my tinnitus, and I look younger...I feel like I've won the Win, Place, and Show!
I just had my second round of Botox injections on...
- 26 Dec 2012
- 4 months post
This second round was done 4 months after the first round, and about three weeks before the second round, I started to get terrible migraines again. The day after she did the second round, I got an excruciating migraine that lasted the whole day, but it could have been due to the stress of getting the shots. Who really wants to get 31+ shots in their face, temples, and neck.
The only side-effect that I had from the first round was that my upper back felt tight for about two months, it didn't hurt, but it was just uncomfortable, a couple of Advil helped. I told the neurologist about this and she used a lesser strength at the base of my neck, so hopefully, it won't happen again.
She does a lot of Botox for migraine patients, so I asked her if it helps them, too, and she said that she has found that it help her patients the most that are teeth grinders and who clench their teeth.
I wanted to have the second round at 3 months, but I was unable to get an appointment sooner. Luckily, I had been hording my Sumatriptan meds that I didn't need for the past three months. I only get 9 pills a month because of my insurance, and I used up my whole supply during the last month before my second round of shots.
I'll post another update next week when it kicks in.
Great review?
Recommend to first neurologist by a psychiatrist. The first neurologist tried many different meds on me, so many that I was beginning to feel like a lab rat. She then suggested Botox, which she doesn't do, and then referred me to a second neurologist that does do Botox.
Comments (56)
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How is everything going now? Are you still getting Botox for your migraines?
I had Botox done on April 1, 2013 for severe migraines for over 25 years. I use 100 mg Imitrex whenever I feel a headache coming on. If I take it in time the imitrex usually works. My insurance only gives me 18 tablets so I break it in half so it can last me the month. Most of the time I have to spend my own money to get extra tablets. The First couple of weeks after receiving the Boxtox I able to make it thru the day without taking and medication, but I would wake up in the morning with a headache. I was able to take Excedrin and it would go away. I had problems swallowing, shortness of breath and stiff neck which all seem to go away after a few months. I have an appoint today after six months and my headache seems to have gotten worse. I will let you know what my doctor, Dr. Rosen recommends. New york
I also suffer from Major Migraines. I also have Seizures. I've been on so many different types of Meds, I couldn't begin to say their names. Topomax was one med my neurologist put me on years ago. It was mainly because I was taking up to 16 Advils daily just to get by. The pain was so intense. My migraines would last anywhere from 3 to 6 days (24/7). No relief until it ran its course. The problem I have with Topomax is the side effects. My minds went blank (seriously, I couldn't think of anything b/c there was nothing in there - Scary). I also had to be near a bathroom at all times b/c another side effect is "loosing control of bowels" - Not a fun thing - especially when it happens in public. My IQ actually dropped - I was beginning to regress. (I was taken 100 mg 2 x daily) it helped for a while; but, sadly that's all. After doing research and finding I wasn't alone in this, I told my Neurologist and asked to be taken off Topomax. He agreed. I am much better now. My Neuro suggested to try Botox treatments as a way to help the pain of Migraines. I'll try anything once to get some relief.... Migraines are soo painful. (I've even had to go in for shots to stop the Migraine pain). I am also on Oxygen therapy for Migraine Pain. I agreed to try the Botox. Shots were not really painful. I do have to say, that since I have received Botox treatment, I still have Migraines; but, they are no longer 3-6 day (24/7). It's more like 12 - to 24hrs. That's a far cry from where I was before Botox. I'll take Botox over Topomax anyday!!!
Botox is RIDICULOUS. Recently, Scripps Hospital, La Jolla, has finally listed ONIONS (and shallots) as being one of the trigger foods for migraines. I CURED MYSELF from 20 years of debilitating migraines by keeping a diary of foods I ate and eliminating onions from my diet. Onions are found in seemingly innocent foods, even in bullion cubes and catsup! They are also in every salad dressing and canned soup you can buy in markets, as well as many store bought salads, sandwiches, etc. ALSO, THE EFFECT CAN BE CUMULATIVE. One piece of onion might not be too bad, but three days in a row -- watch out! I have never had a migraine since I started keeping this food chart. Hope this helps!
I've now had the Botox three times for my headaches. The neurologist will put 31 shots in your forehead, temples, back of neck and shoulders. They have a certain protocol that they follow. Based on your follow-up visit in about six weeks, they might adjust your dosage next time. You should not lie down or read a book or anything where you need to look down for at least four hours after the procedure. You can drive yourself home, use a computer, or do anything with your head and back sitting or standing in a straight up position. You must do this so the Botox does not move. The first time I got the Botox injections, I did get the droopy eyelid thing, but I used some over-the-counter allergy eye-drops every morning and it went away in one week. The second time I had the Botox, I didn’t get any droopy eyelids, but my back hurt for a couple of weeks. Now, that I've had the third round, I have had no side effects and they have reduced my headaches by 80-85% every month. The injections hurt, but not as much as a migraine, and then the pain goes away when the doctor is finished with the procedure. After you get the injections, they can cause a terrible migraine on the second day, which is what happens to me. You also might get some bruising at the injection sites, but any foundation make- up will that care of that. After suffering for over 30 years with migraines, I only wish they had this when I was younger. The injections have been a Godsend for me!
@margo zargo - this is a very helpful posting, thank you! Based on demand from our community members, we recently opened up a new section on RealSelf dedicated to discussion of Botox for Migraines. This makes it easier for headache sufferers to find stories like yours.
I went through every medication that you can think of and felt like a lab rat as well. Thankfully my insurance pays for the Botox and I was able to enroll in the "BOTOX - Partnership for Access" program that's supposed to put your co-pays on a debit card that you can use for other medical expenses. I haven't received the card yet, but I'm hoping I do soon. I had my first Botox injections at the end of Feb, beginning of March 2013 and I've seen no change in the frequency or duration of my migraines. After the first injection I had a severe migraine that lasted for 2 days with a lesser migraine that lasted for another 3-4. The doctor and staff at the neurologist's office who've had Botox for migraines have said they all saw a difference after the second cycle, for me this is at the end of May. Here's to hoping! I saw the invoice for my Botox and my doctor's office charges $2400 for the Botox and $200 to administer the Botox.
I have had migraines since I was 11, I'm now 35. They seem to have gotten worse in the last ten yrs. I was up to 300mg of Topamax a day and 100 mg of noritrptylan. I have went through all the meds Imitrex, Migranal, Depakote, you name it I tried. My migraine.es come on rappidly and very intense. Vision problems, vomiting, shakes and light sensitivity to name a few. About 3 yrs ago I started getting Botox every three months. The FDA recently approved 200 cc, about 35+ shots for migraines. Takes about 2 weeks to work and last about 7 weeks and then the last three weeks before my new injections the migraines get pretty intense. I give myself dehydrogotamine injections when I get a migraine and take 3 ketorolac pills with each shot. They seem to help but I'm up to 2 shots per migraine. It's a lot of needles but I don't know anything else to try at this point.
I am so happy I found this web site! I am scheduled to go for Botox in a few weeks due to chronic migraines. I have tried 27 different meds (some prophylactic and some for acute pain relief) and nothing has worked. I now have a prescription for Oxy, Fiorinol, a muscle relaxant and Zomig nasal spray. They "somewhat" work but the side effects have been wreaked havoc on my liver and stomach. I have been very nervous about getting the Botox treatments done. I had pretty much come to the conclusion that there was NOTHING left for me to do and that this too would be a bust. Now that I have read some of these posts and heard that it has been successful for some it gives me hope. Luckily I am in Canada so our Health Care system is a bit different. Botox is not covered but almost all Insurance Providers accept it as a viable option and don't put up much of a fuss about covering the cost. My Neurologist just wrote out the prescription for two bottles of it and some saline and I went and picked it up from the drugstore. Thanks for all of the info! Hopefully it works!
My neurologist charges me almost $4000.00 each time I get Botox for my migraines? My insurance has paid about one half of that. Does anyone else get charged that much? I am curious as it seems like a lot of $ and I could get it done at a plastic surgeons office for much less. Any thoughts?