Botox for chronic migraines- who has? What to expect...

[herbmonster]

I went to the pain clinic today (chronic migraine sufferer, all preventative meds tried and not given any support) and been told I will get botox.

Have to admit I am rather scared at the prospect of the procedure and thinking what else could I possibly do?

The thought of all those needles makes me anxious. Is it 'painful? Will it be successful?

Any thoughts or sharing of experiences?

Many thanks

[Hidden]

Hello herbmonster,

I've been getting Botox injections every three months for over 1 year. It's very uncomfortable but only takes a few minutes. Sometimes the injection site hurts (burns) for a few hours after the treatment. My migraines are not as intense and I don't get them as often. For me, the discomfort is worth it but Botox is not 100% effective.

[Sukura]

I have had Botox for migraines for some years now. Its not so bad and yes some spots are

More painful for a few seconds, but as a whole I really wouldn't feel too anxious. I have found the drs skill determines the pain level too. My last neurologist I hardly felt it as much. It hasn't stopped my migraines but does control the intensity level and that makes all the difference. Your lucky to he offered this so go for it!!! Made a big difference to me and having a life.

[Sukura in reply to Sukura]

Never leaves any burning spots after. The second the needle is out I feel nothing more.

[StaPar]

I got them once and started having drop attacks. I’m not sure why I would pass out suddenly without warning but it lasted from two weeks after injection for almost three months. I wasn’t allowed to drive in that time. Then the botox wore off and it stopped as quickly as it had started.

[Amber-11 in reply to StaPar]

I am sorry you had drop attacks. I cannot decide about botox as I am a single parent and do not want a bad reaction which takes 3 months to wear off. Might you know of anyone else who has a bad reaction /similar reactions.

[StaPar]

There is a Facebook group about bad reactions to Botox. Mine was nothing like what they report on there. Many people have had great results though too. My migraines were slightly easier to handle for those three months it was just the frequent drop attacks that were my problem. Doctors believe my drop attacks were due to ligament damage in my neck from my concussion/whiplash (which led to my migraines). The botox paralyzed the muscles that were compensating for the ligament damage so my cervical vertebrae could slide more freely and pinch my brain stem/vertebral artery.

[Cat00]

Couldn't function without botox! I get so much worse without it. As others have said it doesn't fix you but if you are chronic it makes things much more manageable. The first time I had it I was in a lot of neck pain for 2 months and almost didn't let them give me the second dose. They spread the injection sites out more around my neck and I never had that problem again. It doesn't work for everyone but if it does work for you it's great. I personally don't find the injections themselves a problem bc I'm so happy to get it. But it ebs and flows some rounds work better than others.

[Nickers1]

I've been having botox through the NHS for the last 7 years and it's honestly changed my life. Prior starting, I had migraines every day for two years, tried cocktail after cocktail of drugs with little or no success. I was scared when the Dr suggested that botox was the next (and last) step. I was very anxious about my first appointment but I have never looked back. The needles are like Russian roulette, some of them don't hurt at all then others will feel like a needle going in your head but any pain only lasts for a second or two. My pain tends to be on the side of my head where I have the migraine on that particular day. My Dr can tell where my head hurts without me telling him.

Although the injections haven't removed migraine from my life, I have had a 45% reduction which is amazing in my book.

Now the only anxiety I have about my 13 weekly appointments is that they might, one day decide I can't have them any more!

Good luck and I hope they work as well for you as they do for me.

x Nic

[Gypsi]

Yes, they have made a big positive difference to my daughter's life. She suffers from the rare and very crippling hemiplegic type, n.b. originally misdiagnosed as FND.

[shello28]

Hi there,

Botox has been a game changer for me. I’ve been having every 12 weeks ish for about 3 years ( went 6 months the time before last and returned to chronic state again ) which proves that it works! Not completely gone but certainly less frequent and less severe. Some injections hurt a bit , especially if you have a migraine at the time and usually it’s the sites which are affected by the migraine . I wouldn’t want to be without it!

Good luck x

[Winnie77]

I was SOOO nervous the first time, and it took about 5 minutes, a little pinching here and there, no big deal. I've had them every three months, just had the fourth round, it helps.

I know when you look at anything online it's like OMG!

[herbmonster]

Thanks for all your replies. You have given me some reassurance by your experiences.

I do hope it will offer some relief as you can imagine my quality of life at the moment can be hard at times.

I also know I am very lucky to be offered it on the bus. The consultant says I will have 2 rounds of it.

[Migraine69]

I’ve been having migraines for about 6 years now and am working my way through the meds naproxen, Betahistine and zolmitriptain from the hospital to topiramax and now amyltriyline…… I was getting monthly migraines but they have increased to weekly 2-3 days at a time. I’ve been told it might be using zolmitriptain too much…… it’s ruining my life.

Did try Botox and actually I was happy with the short pain of the needles, it felt like instant relief. Haven’t had it for a while due to the cost…..