Migraine surgery

[LesleyBuck67]

Hi, this is my first post. I am considering migraine surgery and have a consultation in London on 5th May with Dr Mühlberger and wondered if anyone has had this surgery and if so was it successful?

[Gwenfro]

So sorry I have not heard of this. I was not aware that an operation was possible. All the best with your consultation. Migranes are the worst pain ever nd very debilitating I am sitting at home this very moment wondering is my head ache a normal head ache or is it on the way to a full blown migrane. I have difficulty pin pointing triggers and therefore leave it too late before using my medication. Between a rock and a hard place.

[LesleyBuck67 in reply to Gwenfro]

Hi, I have only just heard of the surgery as well and it’s quite controversial and not available on the nhs but I’m desperate so decided I have nothing to lose by having a consultation. There are some reviews but they are a few years old so wondered if anyone had it more recently. Good luck with your migraines, I know what a long road it can be!

[Dottie2803]

What does the surgery involve? Good luck and I hope you get a positive outcome.

[LesleyBuck67 in reply to Dottie2803]

The surgery involves removing 2 muscles from your forehead which in theory should reduce/stop the migraines. Dr Muehlberger says there is no guarantee that it will work so it’s a case of balancing the options.

[Migrainemum]

Hi Lesley - I had this surgery in Berlin with Dr Muhlberger around 4 years ago. He operated on 3 sites - occipital, temples and above my eyebrows (through the eyelids. My scalp was initially quite numb but when the numbness wore off after a few weeks, it was clear that I was as bad as ever. It was a total waste of money and I wouldn’t recommend it. At the time, I was desperate for relief and would try anything. I’ve since discussed it with my Neurologists and they have said that it isn’t something they would recommend as there is no real evidence that it works. I still have daily migraines. There was someone on the Chronic Migraine Facebook page who said that it had helped her mum - you might want to search for the post to get an alternative view. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[LesleyBuck67 in reply to Migrainemum]

Hi thank you so much for your message. It is so hard to know what to do. I have been having Botox on nhs for 3 years and although this helped initially it now seems likes my migraines have greatly increased and the Botox and triptans aren’t helping. I’m also now on topiramate but finding the side effects difficult to deal with so was hoping I had found the answer, should have known by now that it’s not that easy.

[Migrainemum in reply to LesleyBuck67]

Hi Lesley - I totally understand. It may well work for you - I just felt I had to share my experience as I know how devastated I was when it didn’t work. It’s so frustrating when you feel you’ve tried everything. Maybe the new drugs will help. I’m not convinced they will be approved for use by the NHS though as I’ve heard they cost £1000 per month 😱

[LesleyBuck67 in reply to Migrainemum]

Thank you for your advice and I do appreciate your honest opinion.