Botox for Chronic Migraine

I went back several months and couldn't find a topic on this. I have had chronic migraines for many years. I started having migraines when I was a child. Anyway, before Christmas I was having one every day. I was taking tripans every day, as that is the only thing that works for me. I was taking way too many...very dangerous.

My doctor had me go off all pain medications and triptans for two weeks thinking I was having rebound headaches. I didn't think I would live through it, so I started checking into Botox injections. I found a doctor in my town who does them. My insurance okayed it, and I had it done 2 weeks ago. They started an IV saline drip and pushed steroids, then he injected the Botox all the way around my head, and four in my shoulders. I think there were 34 injections all together.

I have been headache free ever since. It has been wonderful! And I've given it a good work out...I have a lot of stress going on with another medical condition and have had many doc appointments to deal with that, plus I drink a glass of red wine every night. I don't know how long it will last...you hear different things, but he said so far none of his patients have had to come back.

If you have chronic migraines, I highly recommend you check into this. Even if this two weeks is all I get, (but I suspect it to last much longer) it was worth it.

I definitely recommend it. Here is one thing the doctor told me. This stops the pain from your migraines. It doesn't actually stop them from occurring. Like if you get migraine aura, you might still notice you will get the aura but no headache. If you get nauseated with migraine, you may get nauseated and need some nausea medication but no headache. Sometimes I think I know when I might have one, like my neck tightens up or whatever. But no migraine! It is great! I had to wait 3 weeks for my insurance company to approve it, so be prepared for that. I know one person who has done it, before Christmas and she still hasn't had one. And I know of 3 others through word of mouth who have had it done with the same results. I hope you can get it done and that it works for you!

It costs about $1000 a vial and he used 1 3/4 vials. Hope your healthcare system will start funding it.

I have only had one. 2 weeks ago. I was headache free until yesterday. I don't know why one broke through yesterday...but he had told me that in some people it stops them completely and in others it significantly reduces the amount. So I was very disappointed when one showed up, but if it's only 1 every two weeks I can definitely live with that!

It varies on how long it lasts. Some say 4 months, 12 weeks, but I people who have gone longer. The doctor I am seeing has not had anyone have to come back yet. I go see him this morning for just a check-in to see how I am doing after the treatment.

My insurance company only authorized one treatment. I am hopeful that when this treatment wears off, they will authorize another.

You should definitely try it. I hate to hear you have to pay out of pocket for it, but I was having a migraine every day also so I know you will try anything. I have felt much better from not having to take triptans all the time. My blood pressure has gotten back to normal. I did take one yesterday after trying to tell myself it was just my neck hurting and it wasn't going to turn into a migraine, but I had to take a Maxalt last night, which stopped it within 10 minutes.

This sounds great! I've had chronic daily migraines for 6 years (I'm 21), and my doctor recently mentioned botox, but I've no idea how readily available it is in Ireland. I'll ask again to see if I can get it done.

Hello All I have migraine from 5 years I try everything but nothing help me now I take Beta Blocker Inderal 40mg 1 month but without any effect maybe it have more time I dont know but now my last hope is to try with botox but my doctor says that have to type injections for my headatache 1-Botox and 2-Steroids I cant decide what to do? What is better from these 2 injections maybe is Botox I guess????

This is good news. My wife is suffering with almost daily migraines and has tried about everything there is for them. She was told about the botox and her doctor wants her to try it. This may be just what she needs. Thanks for posting this.

Take care,
Bill

I had the Botox injections for my chronic migraines back in Dec and they did help reduce the migraines I was getting when it rained heavy which was nice till they cam back two days ago which is not bad for 4 months. My doc is going to ask the insurance company for more botox and this time he is going to change the locations as my migraines are centered on the left side right behind my eye and are triggered by heavy rain/snow and extreme temperature changes. I'm hoping they ok another round as this has been the most helpful of all the stuff i've tried.

Scotty