Botox injections

Hello my name is Tonya!! I have been reading this site for sometime but never replied or posted. My story in short is I have been diagnosed with Fibro for about 7 years had it for 9 years. I have Chronic migraines and headaches as well that go along with it. I have pain all over but my main pain is right side of neck, and right arm, in pain every second of the day. While for the most part I am very lucky that it rarely puts me bedridden I still live in pain all the time. The only thing that keeps me from being bedridden is major excerise.
My question is I have been through many meds trying to control my migraines and the newest thing that is the next step is botox and I have been told and read that it also helps with the Fibro part of it as well. I would like to know if anyone has had this experience.
Thanks
Tonya

Welcome Tonya, I also don't have any exp or knowledge of Botox and Fibro. But, I certainly have exp with constant pain on left side of my neck. When it gets unbearable, I will get a Hot Stone Massage which helps to lessen the pain to a comfortable degree.

A family member sent me an article a few days ago on fibro and Chiropractic use. I haven't read the article in its entirety, and chances are I will also not use this method. At this point in my life, fibro has made me even more afraid of trying anything that may be associated with more pain or problems.

Hopefully someone comes along who's had exp with botox. Meanwhile, if you use this method, please share your exp........

Aloha Tonya,

I have been on botox injections for my migraines for the last 7 months. I would like to say that it has helped me with no side effects. The injections are given once every 3 months. At first the effects lasted only 6 weeks before I was back taking other pain relievers both prescription and over the counter. The second series lasted 8 weeks and I just received by third series. I have 2 types of migraines: hormonal (with cycle) and regular 2-3 per week type, which is not as bad as the hormonal one. The botox works with the regular migraines, but I have been prescribed Sumatriptan nasal spray for the bad one (haven't tried this one yet).

The botox is injected on my forehead, temporal areas, above my eyebrows, between my eyebrows, behind my neck from base to shoulder, and different areas of my scalp.

So the benefit of the botox is less severe almost daily migraines and no wrinkles... yeah, I can do this. I hope this helps...

Because it is FDA approved for migraines it is covered by my insurance plan. And yes, my neurologist does the injections.

My doctor asked if I would be interested in trying botox injections for fibro pain. I have areas where the pain is more severe all of the time but it also is a large area...neck, shoulders, shoulder blades... I declined the treatment but kept it in the back of my mind. Who knows...

Here's a bit I found on how botox works.
Chutz


How does Botox work?
Botox works to relax the contraction of muscles by blocking nerve impulses. The result is muscles that can no longer contract, and so the wrinkles relax and soften. It usually takes two to four days to see cosmetic improvement and the effects tend to last from four to six months. Most patients require retreatment to remove wrinkles and lines as they begin to reappear, but after each injection the wrinkles return as less severe as the muscles are trained to relax

I know it's 3 years later from when this was posted, but I'm wondering if the botox helped or not. I just had my first set of shots 3 weeks ago and it's been hell. I also have FMS but developed major headaches almost 3 years ago after being rear ended (car accident). Then 1.5 years ago I was rear ended again which made the headaches so much worse. I've tried chiropractic, decompression, massage, PT, acupuncture, dry needling, and pain meds. Nothing has had lasting pain relief. I did topomax but it only lessened it a bit but my dr kept doubling the dose so I eventually fired him as I was so drugged it was hard to function.

Anyway, my main complaint with the botox injections (head, neck, upper back), is the horrific pain and stiffness in my neck and upper back. My neck is so weak now that I cannot lean over. The headaches got worse the day after the botox and lasted more than 2 weeks. Now they are not gone but are less severe. These are different headaches than before. Nothing relieves them. I will not be doing the botox again since I cannot stand the pain in my neck and upper back anymore... The injections were into my upper back and neck trigger points... occipital areas, forehead, behind ears, and TMJ area.

Hoping someone out there has had good luck with them. Let me know! My dr wants me to try 3 rounds before giving up on botox.

I was going to do botox injections by a Neurologist at a Pain Management Department in a Hospital. It came abruptly to a halt. They decided that I needed long term physiotherapy. I did begin Physiotherapy at the Hospital but they could not provide it for a long term. I am in Canada. Many treatments in Hospitals are covered by our Health Care system. Botox was not covered. I was checking with my coverage through work insurance to see if they would pay but it didn't happen. The Neurologist also said it was not a long term solution. Another Doctor pointed out - there is no long term solution.

One of the ladies that attended Physiotherapy in their heated pool was getting botox and was having success. The lady had such bad migraines - she said she would drink Drano if it stopped her headaches. Not funny, just sad.

I did not get botox but I am getting nerve blocks. It would be like lidocaine. I cannot stop the head pain. I, too, was rear ended and injured now in August - another car accident. I have a caring Headache Doctor who does the nerve blocks. They are covered by our Heath Care system.

Loring


Osteoarthritis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...

Hi! I just started Botox therapy for migraines on Thursday. I have had migraines since I was 10. My neurologist (insurance insisted) and I exhausted all other options to allow me to start the therapy. All it cost is my $20 copay. I have Kaiser. She is a migraine specialist. I also have fibromyalgia (diagnosed 1993ish), Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and a laundry list that goes along with that. We started with a half dose in some locations and full dose in some of the fibro trigger points around the neck and shoulders. (She is very caring ;)

I have had great results so far. I have some bruising. (To be expected from me) It was not too painful for me. I do not know if it is because I have such a high pain threshold or because she cares. (Constant pain since- well, birth, lol). I should tell you I have very sensitive skin. I usually get hives from needles or injections or cold or just about anything. I did not have any adverse reactions. We did try to control the temp, etc.

I am on day three. I had some "different" neck pain yesterday. And some tenderness around the temples. I had a difficult time sleeping the first night. Kind of a restless leg symptom kind of thing. BUT! Only minor little headaches that I think I will never be rid of. Not too bothersome. Daily headaches I can deal with.

3 days with no migraine! Woohoo! If this can help the fibro in my shoulders!?! OMG! I'm afraid to even consider it.

I think anyone with serious migraines, seriously, you have nothing to lose, try it at least once. I will never be pain free. But if one part of my body can have less pain in any way. With little to no side effects. I'm going to do it.

Hope this helps anyone on the fence.

Wow, Gypsy70, what a "ride" you've had! How scary.

Thanks for the heads up. I'd never heard of Botox for fibro, headaches, or anything like that. I'm sure you're doing us all a favor with the warning.

Hope you've basically recovered from that terrible experience, or at least are recovering. Best wishes!