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Botox?

Posted , 7 users are following.

cheryl21682
cheryl21682

Hi Everyone,

I was just diagnosed with Chronic Daily Migraines (which I knew but cost me a bunch of money to have a doctor confirm).  I live in the US and have tried every med under the sun for migraines. Most make me feel way too tired and confused to work, not good for a teacher to feel that way.  

So, my neurologist has decided I should try Botox injections for my headaches. She has prescribed 3-5 shots for 13 sessions. That is over 3 years of treatment. The success rate of Botox and migraines is, as far as I'm concerned, minimal. The Botox producers claim it will give the patient 6-12 less headache days a month. The side effects are horrid. Dizziness, worse headaches, inability to lift head due to neck pain and weakness. AND these treatments are very expensive. The average is about $800 a session for minimal return. I've told my doctor at least 5 times that what works for my headaches and allows me to work is 5mg of Valium and an analgesic. I did forget to mention that many people report missed days of work due to Botox treatments. I cannot afford that. 

I am wondering if anyone has tried Botox for their migraines and, if so, what your experience has been.

Thank you for listening,

Cheryl

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • StevenRose
    StevenRose cheryl21682

    Posted

    Hi Cheryl,

    From my own personal experience, its been amazing!  I suffer from Hemiplegic Migraines and I can honestly say its cut the frequency down by about 75% and no side effects.

    I go for treatment every 3 months and have about injections in my head neck and shoulders and its been fantastic for me thats all I can say really.

    Good luck and best wishes, let us know how you get on

  • gaye39866
    gaye39866 cheryl21682

    Posted

    I’ve tried Botox many times. The first time it worked really well. I had the 31 shots that Allergan recommends. After that the neurologists, and there were several, did fewer sometimes and then the 31. It never worked well again. I have daily migraines. 

    There is a new preventative coming out this year supposedly. It is called CGRP injection.  8 or so companies are bringing it out.  It is 1st preventative made especially for migraines.   Google it and read more about it. Here’s hoping it works. Side effects in studies have been minimal. 

    I have a drug regimen I use to treat my migraines. Mine are mostly brought on by barometric pressure drops. 

    Let’s wish good luck for all of us!!!!

    • karen28970
      karen28970 gaye39866

      Posted

      What works for the barometric pressure? Mine are pretty sensitive to the changes but I’ve never found anything to help
    • gaye39866
      gaye39866 karen28970

      Posted

      Karen,

      The minute I start to get headache, I take 1/2 of 100 mg sumatriptan. In studies 50 mg worked about as well as 100. I also take a caffeine pill which helps sumatriptan work. If that doesn’t work well enough in 2 hours, I use a sumatriptan injection. That always works for me. I’m pretty wiped out after that though. 

      If front or rain is coming in over night, I take 1/2 of a naratriptan at bedtime. It is longer acting but slower to act so I don’t use it for treatment too much. It usually prevents headache though. 

      I’m really hoping this new CGRP injection to prevent comes out this year and actually works. I was in a clinical trial for the pill to try it for treatment and it didn’t work for me for that. But they’ve had good results for injection. 

      Hopefully there will be help for all of us chronic migraine people. Good luck. Gaye 

  • amy63554
    amy63554 cheryl21682

    Posted

    Hi Cheryl,

    I am so sorry for your pain.  I, too, was experiencing daily migraines.  Mine was related to some acid reflux medication-- it was depleting my body of necessary vitamins and minerals like magnesium and Vitamin D.  No medications worked for me at all.  I have been doing Botox injections now for about 8 years.  I have had great success with them!!  I feel a little badly the day I get the injections.  I also take a compound pharmacy blend of different things like Magnesium, Co-Q10, etc.  I have had very few headaches in all of this time.  I am fortunate that my insurance does cover it in full.  However, I did have to do a round first for the doctor to show the insurance company that it worked for me.  As long as I take my supplements and get my injections-- about 4 times a year now-- I do very well.  I would highly endorse it-- though I hate the idea of putting that into my head. 

    Amy

  • RydiaMoone
    RydiaMoone cheryl21682

    Posted

    Hi Cheryl sorry you are going through this. I was told by my dr the other day that the type of migraine i used to have was Hemiplegic Migraines much to my horror. I have  had migraines since I was 14 but hey changed over the years. Going from full on paralysis down one side with eye disturbances and aura to my arm and face going numb with aura. But after going to a seminar on migraines and seeing a chiropractor my life changed. There have been studies done on the effectiveness of neck manipulation in treatment of migraine. May not help everyone but it sure did help me. He cured me for 10 years but then they came back a month ago but I only had the aura and partial blindness. I have started seeing the chiropractor again so I am hoping that this will help again.  My migraines are triggered by my neck being out of alignment as it puts pressure on the  blood vessels responsible for migraines. The chiropractor said my neck was so bad this time he wondered how I could even move it. I now do neck exercise to help my neck stay subtle and its helping. Hope this help and I hope you get relief with whatever treatment you choose.
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