Botox

[Allen59]

Hi everyone and happy New year hopefully with less migraines for us all.

My question relates to BOTOX injections, I have been treated with them for two years now and in the beginning they worked fine lessening migraine attacks to half the amount I was used to. I'm not sure if I've built a tolerance but they don't seem to be working as well. I am using my triptan more frequently. Also my hair has become finer in texture and I've been experiencing more fallout than usual. Anyone else experience this before?

Any help would be appreciated.

[woodlog]

Hi Allen59,

Like you, I've been having Botox for some time: in my case for almost three years. I found they didn't stop migraine but probably lessened both the frequency and the intensity, mainly because I used almost no Imigran. I'm pretty certain that rebound headache is at least as significant as the migraine itself and that Imigran is particularly culpable: once you're dependent upon it, it's almost impossible not to take too much: anything more than a dose a week. By pure chance, I was put onto Amlodipine 5 mg by my GP. Almost overnight my life-long headaches stopped. I have tried every other prophylactic known to Queen Square. It's worth anyone with chronic migraine trying Amlodipine. I have since met several patients who have had miracle cures but the doctors rarely prescribe it. As far as I can tell, a year on, there are NO side effects!

[Josie53 in reply to woodlog]

Hi Woodlog,

I have been doing the Botox for about 14 months now and like you it has greatly lesssened the frequency/ intensity of my chronic daily migraines. I am curious as to whether you have been able to discontinue the injections since starting the Amlodipine or if you are taking that along with the Botox. Would love to be able to dispense with the Topramax I take for migraine prevention because of the side effects of mental fuzziness, etc. So glad you have found something that works so well for you. A great way to start the new year. Thanks!

[woodlog in reply to Josie53]

I was taking Topirimate for about two years and it helped control the migraine but at considerable cost. Mental fuzziness, as you say, memory loss and then a series of kidney stones so the hospital insisted I stop taking it. Once I started Amlodipine, the headaches more or less stopped, for the first time in sixty-five years. I've been almost headache free for a year. My consultant has kept the Botox injections going in case there's a relapse but probably they will be stopped this year.

[Josie53 in reply to woodlog]

Thanks, Woodlog. Have jotted down the name of the med and will discuss it with my neuro on our next appmt.

[Nickers1]

I've been having botox every 13/14 weeks for the last 5 years and it's been a god send. Prior to this treatment I was having chronic, daily migraines. Had that for two to three years, trying endless cocktails of drugs with no relief. The botox is obviously the last resort. Luckily it's working.

I've seen a 40% reduction in my migraines. Still get a lot of headaches / migraines but the severity and length of attack has mostly lessened and I actually have pain free days which is something I never had prior to the botox (at least for the 2/3 years prior).