Migraines...botox and being off work..

[ben1988]

I have been suffering with almost daily migraine..having tried several meds which I couldn't tolerate..I have just had my first course of botox on the NHS.

Working 4 days a week..I have just about managed to get through the days..but my life is being affected so much.I'm so worried as I have had a week this week off work with headaches..months and months of pretending I'm managing these headaches at work has taken its toll..i m due to go to work tomorrow but I feel so ill..I am a front of house receptionist dealing with every patient and phone call myself.the phones ringing and trying to smile . I need to be signed off but I'm so worried my boss will get fed up with my sickness record. Also I will have to go onto statutory sick pay and I can't afford to. I'm at breaking point with all of this.

[babs1234]

Constant migraines are a disability but try telling that to DWP. I was on sick pay for months but then had to go in for an assessment. Because I could dress myself and go to the loo myself at night, I didn't fit the 'criteria'. I was expected to care for vulnerable adults 24/7 or get another job. What job when you have a banging headache most of every day?

[Jayniegirl198]

I am sorry you are so ill with migraine at present. Stick with the Botox treatment it worked for me and after being a chronic migraine sufferer for 25 years I now have a normal life.

I believe migraine comes under the disability discrimination act it would be worth checking this out to see what protection this gives you with your employer.

Best wishes

[ben1988 in reply to Jayniegirl198]

Thankyou...its good to hea4 a positive story about the botox.

I had last week off work and I think I will be taking this week as well as I'm feeling so ill.sensitivity to smell has increased dramatically.. And there is no way I can be around the product smells in a dental practice! Does the botox start to work after several months?

[Claudeminh]

Hi I have had two rounds of botox and its working! Its working its working oh my god. Im so happy I cannot tell you. Keep going with it as it has a 70% success rate and is more powerful every time. Not much for me till the second lot and I have a pretty good innings for 6 weeks! OH MY GOD six weeks!!! LAst year I had 152 days of straight migraines and now.....sanity. So keep going.

[ben1988]

Wow that's great to hear you are feeling better and suffering less migraines.

I will stick with it and hopefully see some improvements on round 2 of the botox.

Back at work this week but mornings only so taking it slow as working on computers aswell dosnt help.

[Nickers1]

Definitely stick with the botox! Hopefully there is light at the end of your tunnel. I had chronic daily migraines for 2 years, tried every tablet known to man and eventually, after being dragged to A&E by my then fiance, I was referred to a neurologist (Dr Al Din) at my local hospital who said I was perfect for botox. I've never looked back. I still get plenty of headaches per month but the severity is far more manageable.

If it's been offered to you then you're one of the lucky ones.

Good luck, I hope you get your situation sorted!

x Nic

[ben1988 in reply to Nickers1]

Thank-you... It's so good to hear a positive out come. How many rounds of botox do they give..as due for round two in December.

Back at work..managing..just.

Roll on better management of these migraines.

[Nickers1]

I've been having the botox now for about 2 years, after having 2 years of constant, daily migraines.

I have to fill in the diary and as long as my headache days fit their criteria I've been told I'll continue to have treatment every 13 weeks. I suppose until something better, or cheaper!! comes along.

Hope it continues to work for you!

I can't speak highly enough about it. Really has changed everything.

x Nic

[ben1988]

Wow...that's great news..I wonder what the criteria is? I'm grateful to be having this treatment to be honest.

[sentinel in reply to ben1988]

You have to have migraines for more than 15 days a month continuously and have tried more than 3 preventative treatments

[MaryF]

Does anybody in your family have autoimmune diseases including thyroid, or any history of miscarriages, early strokes or heart attacks? MaryF

[sentinel]

I have botox and the first 2/3 weeks arent great. I have what I call botox flu. General illness and sickness. But I was told to expect this.

After that I have less migraines and headaches and the ones I have are lesser pain and easier to rid.

It's been a life saver! This time last year I had to have 3 months off work and numerous other periods lost due to my migraines. I suffer with hemiplegic migraines, cluster headaches and neuralgia.

I'm now on my 3rd round of botox and with each round it gets easier ... the first had a slight effect but each one seems to have more of an effect xxx

[sentinel]

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