botox

[louise38]

im waiting for my treatment of botox for my migraines has anyone had this treatment as im scared ive tryed every treatment going upto now my treatment is nxt wk

[Letitia]

Hi ,

I have had migraine for over thirty years and tried botox earlier this year. It did help quite a bit and I am planning on having it again. It felt to me like there was a band around my head and to be honest it felt relaxing as I feel permanently as if my head is going into a migraine. It doesn't work for everyone but I think if it doesn't work at least you have tried it.

Cheers

Letty

[Hidden]

It depends on who will give you the treatment and where in the head the injections are given. I had Botox injections given by a German plastic surgeon but they were of no help at all. He injects just above the eyebrows. I think the injections sometimes recommended by the NMC doctors are given all around the head. I've not tried that treatment yet.

[teadrinker]

Don't be scared! I've had botox for 2 and a half years, and was initially very sceptical, but it's working well. I really have it for chronic pain in my face, arm & shoulder, but it has a positive knoc-on effect on the migraine headaches. I still get migraines but the headaches aren't as severe or as long. It took a few treatment to find the best spots that worked for me.

I have the injections in my shoulder, neck & forehead and around the side of my head above my ear, as those are tender spots which trigger pain. It's not as bad as it sounds. I keep my eyes closed and concentrate on breathing slowly.

Sometimes, if I'm in a pain flare up when I have the injections, the pain can get a lot worse before things improve. It can take up to 2 weeks to have an effect. Twice I have had a sore throat & felt a bit fluey afterwards (a side effect of botox) and I usually feel quite tired for a few days after (I suppose botox is poison, so...) As it starts to work my eyelids feel heavy first thing in the morning, but I don't mind that too much becuase it means it's working.

It has improved my quality of life no end and I need far less medication. Go for it! Fingers crossed it will help you.

[louise38]

tks letty i hope your well and i got refussed funding for my treatment get to see a private doctor on the 11th jan he said im a prime candadate for the treatment as i have strokes with my chronic migraines im of cause fighting for it and ive got the backing from the hospital neurologist any way hope you have a brilliant christmas

[louise38]

tks everyone for your help im abit more at ease from wat you have all said im keeping my fingers crossed everything works out for you all have a happy and pain free christmas

[woodlog]

After sixty years of almost daily migraine I finally had Botox treatment this summer. It's the only treatment that has ever worked without horrendous side-effects. If you suffer daily agony and can afford it, it's worth paying for but don't use a cosmetic clinic! NICE has approved treatment on the NHS if you get 15 days' headache a month and have tried everything else and are NOT taking too many Triptans. If you are a chronic migraine sufferer you are almost certainly taking too many painkillers.

[Charlotte_NMC Partner National Migraine Centre]

Yes Botox can be really effective for some sufferers, but it needs to be administered at the right dose and in the correct way (in line with NICE guidance). That means around 32 injections! As others have said, not cheap if you are paying for yourself, but unlike medication, side-effects are minimal and the effects can be seen immediately for some people and last up to three months. The NICE website guidance.nice.org.uk/TA260 has more on the criteria you need to meet in order to get funding from the NHS, but anyone can come to NMC and discuss self-funding the treatment. We will always look into lower-cost simpler strategies and lifestyle management first however.