Botox for Chronic Migraines
I just had my second round of Botox injections on...
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.
Margo Zargo's provider
I added some before and after pictures
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!
Replies (2)
Margo Zargo, I just read your Sept. 8th update! It made me soooo happy to hear your migraines have been helped!! I can only imagine the improvement in your daily life!! I also have to complement you on your attitude. Its great that even though you are still dealing with some other discomforts and headaches you are still able to see the good this has done. I really hope something is able to be done so you no longer have neck or back stiffness, and perhaps with your second round even the normal headaches will be minimized - hoping!! :)
It's been about three weeks since I had my first...
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!!!
Replies (3)
I dont suffer from chronic migrains but came on just to read about it and the stories are promising to say the least but you mentioning diet change really made sense. my daughter has suffered from migrains but eliminating lactose meat and gluten have made a huge difference. many migrains i suspect are food triggered.
Replies (5)
After nearly 10 years, countless MRI's, CT scans, neurologist visits, etc....I will be having botox next week for the migraines. I cannot tell you how excited I am to see if it works! I suffer not only migraines at least have of the month, but daily headaches also. My last neurologist in Wi., who had me on about 6 different meds (i have been taking topamax for years), basically told me if those meds didn't work, I would be referred to the Diamond Headache Clinic, and was told I would have a large bill and miss extensive time from work. I almost felt like it was a threat from this doctor, and basically I "needed" to make the new meds work. I'm sure all you migraine sufferer's have also been on the wonderful merry-go-round of meds, or just plain being told there is nothing else they can do for you...so you'll just have to deal with it. I now live in Ga., and was referred to a pain management specialist, and I am so encouraged! Hopefully Botox will deliver some great results for me
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?
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!