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Migraine Headache
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Posted 7/21/2005 7:52 AM (GMT -8)

I am getting Botox injections this afternoon for the first time. My insurance approved it for my muscle spasms in my neck and shoulders but not for my daily headaches (8 years!). However, the tight muscles are related to the headaches and directly affect them. The doctor said that if there is any left over, he may just give me a shot in the forehead or wherever. I'm wondering who has had Botox injections and what their thoughts on it were. Any side effects? Did it help? Thanks for any information!!! confused

Posted 7/30/2005 2:06 PM (GMT -8)

:-)  Hello,

Well, I'm guessing you had the Botox by now. I have Botox for my headaches and the jury is still out on if it works or not. I get 19 injections in my forehead and it often hurts because it triggers a headache if I don't already have one. I'm having difficulty with medications triggering headaches, but I think that it would work if it weren't for that.

:-)  

Posted 8/1/2005 4:48 AM (GMT -8)
Thanks for your reply. I had the injections on July 21st. I had a series of them in my neck and shoulders- and where the head meets the neck. My muslces felt a little strange for a few days- like a pulled muscle or something. I definitely don't have the neck pain and upper back pain that I had every day. Of course I understand that it takes a while to kick in and it peaks at 3 weeks, so I'm still hoping it helps the headaches. They think that the tight muscles move up my neck and into the head and that's what may cause the daily headaches- we'll see. Thanks again for the post. Oh- how often do you get the injections? tongue
Posted 8/1/2005 12:18 PM (GMT -8)
Hello, I get the injections every three months and do notice that at about 3 to 4 weeks they are in full throttle. It's weird because I will get a headache and will feel it in some areas and not others. That's usually how I know its working, when I can't feel certain muscles when I have a tension headache.
Posted 8/2/2005 10:29 PM (GMT -8)
Do they cut out a significant amount of migraine pain once they are on "full throttle"?
Posted 8/3/2005 4:11 PM (GMT -8)

Hello,

I think the injections block out a lot of the pain. During the first session when I was on neurontin I went from a headache every day to 3 or 4 out of 7 days, which was phenomenal for me as I've had daily migraines for at least the last year and 5 out of 7 days for the last five years.

The neurologist, however, felt he could improve on this and switched me from neurontin to topamax and I have been suffering ever since. Now, having said that, these headaches are different. They're in no way related to muscles and pretty much nothing works to relieve them. They seem to be either withdrawl from or a side effect to one of the anti-epileptic medications.

So I think the short answer is yes the Botox works, especially if your muscles are at all involved in triggering the migraines. I tend to worry a lot and grind my teeth at night. The Botox paralyzes the muscles in my forehead and so they don't tighten when my jaw does. I'm scheduled to have my third set this time and am hopeful that I will see more improvement as the reactions to the medications calm down.

:-)
Posted 8/3/2005 5:33 PM (GMT -8)
I am not sure but don't think mine are caused by muscles. However I do get a bad one if I sleep long enough to go into a deep sleep. The neuro acked like he was not surprised
Posted 8/3/2005 5:37 PM (GMT -8)
Does the neurologist recommend Botox for you? It wasn't until after the Botox that I realized any muscles were involved. The belief is that the muscles tighten and trigger a migraine. So they may not be tight during the migraine just before.
Posted 9/8/2005 3:07 PM (GMT -8)
I'm replying to this post now because my Neuro informed me that he wants to try me on Botox if my ins will cover it. Not sure if I am all for it though. Would like some more thoughts and experiences on it if i can get them
any more help will be appreciated
Posted 9/9/2005 7:38 PM (GMT -8)

Hi Stacy,

I've had Botox three times now. I think it works. It did the first time, not the second and seems to be working the third. It's extremely painful, especially if you have a headache when you go and takes about three weeks to work. If tension is involved in your headaches it works really well.

If you don't have insurance it's really expensive. If you do I recommend it. yeah

Posted 9/10/2005 3:37 PM (GMT -8)
confused do have ins but they have to see if I can get approval first. Then I'll go for a consultation. How may injections do you get? I've read that it could be as many as 20 in the forehead. And I do get tension in my neck and shoulders so i was gonna talk to him about also getting them for that as well? confused
Posted 9/12/2005 9:37 PM (GMT -8)

Hi Stacy,

I get 19 injections in my forehead. I have a fear of needles so when I go I have usually worked up quite a headache which makes it quite painful.

My neurologist says he does do injections in your neck but only in extreme cases. He says that Botox weakens the muscles and injecting it into your neck can weaken those muscles and make it difficult to lift your head.

Good luck!

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