Posted 12/25/2014 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
@emmaleechase--
I know here, in the US, it's not 15 "migraines" a month, it's 15 "days" with a migraine or more a month that matter for being eligible for the treatment. Ask your doctor for clarification of the guidelines.
"BOTOX® (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription medicine that is injected to prevent headaches in adults with chronic migraine who have 15 or more days each month with headache lasting 4 or more hours each day in people 18 years or older." **Copied directly from the Botox for migraines company website.
@Prayin2bpainfree--
I have been getting the botox injections for about 2 years now, every 90 days. Don't go a day early or insurance will not cover. Must be minimum of 90 days.
They have been a miracle for me. Went from migraines about 28-29 days a month to usually 1-2 migraines a month, much less severe and lasting shorter time frames (although sometimes I still have a nasty flare up, bur definitely can see reasons for those (such as stress, dehydration, etc.)). I don't remember what the first few were like, but I have been told that generally it takes about 2 cycles of treatment, so 6 months or so before you really are getting good results.
Worth it? YES. For me, it has been a life saver. I have noticed that for me, it typically lasts about 2 1/2 months, so pretty good!! And even the migraines I get in the 2 weeks prior to a treatment are totally manageable, barely can even count them as migraines! Easily knocked out, and never get very intense anyway. I know it varies from person to person, but if insurance will cover it and/or you can afford it, I'd say there's no reason not to do it.
Only "side effect" I have is can't raise my eyebrows…so far, no one has told me I look weird or unnatural because of that. I don't really consider it a side effect, but thought I should at least let you know to expect that. I don't recall ever considering raising my eyebrows a very necessary or important part of my life, so….who cares??
Injections themselves are 31 teeny tiny pokes of a teeny tiny needle on your forehead, temples, scalp, and down your neck into the upper part of the shoulders. Takes only a couple of minutes to do the entire thing. Stings a bit for a minute or two, nothing bad at all. The first couple times they may have you wait a few minutes after the injections to be sure you don't have any problems, and then you just go about your day. No recovery time or crap like that. I can generally tell it's working w/in a few days.
Just be sure you go to a doc who does this often/this is their specialty. I also have my eyelids injected due to spasms, it's weird. I have never talked to anyone else who has that done, but to give you an idea of how small the needle is, it is tiny enough that it can be put into the eyelid and inject the botox without going all the way through to my eye!
Overall, not a big deal and well worth trying. Good luck!!