Botox For Migraines-- Oh, What A Relief It Is!!

[stacdliw]

I know that many of us here suffer from migraines and I just wanted to share my experience with the Botox procedure. It has been a godsend! Prior to having Botox, I was having at least 4-6 migraines per week, most of those moderate to severe. Relpax was my best friend and my pharmacist was alaramed at the amount of Relpax I was taking per month. When my migraine specialist first applied to the insurance company for approval, I was denied-- I think because I didn't meet the strict guidelines for the number of 4+ hour migraines needed per month (see link below). My migraine specialist didn't give up-- I'm not exactly what he did, but I do know he spoke directly to one of the neurologists who is on the panel who makes the decisions for Botox/Migraine decisions and his appeal included that I suffer dysautonomia with symptoms which include migraines! The first time I ever had a doctor that actually understood dysautonomia and its symptoms and fought an insurance company and won!

I had the procedure done three months ago.The neurologist sticks 15 tiny needles in various places around your forehead, skull and the back of your neck (see link below). It doesn't really hurt at all and I can't say Isuffered any major side effectsl. My neurologist said that I should see a 40% improvement and that the severe headaches should become moderate headaches, the moderate headaches would become mild headaches and the mild headaches would become very mild or none at all. My neurologist told me to call back in six weeks to report how well the Botox helped my migraines. I had kept a thorough journal for six months prior to the Botox procedure and logged the date and severity of each migraine and I did the same after the Botox procedure.

I saw an almost immediate improvement right after the Botox procedure. Overall, I had a 42%reduction of all migraines. Most importantly, I had a 80% improvement in severe migraines, including those lasting 4+hours. In the past, I was averaging 2-3 severe migraines a week. Now, I have had only 3 severe migraines in 7 weeks! More importantly, most of my moderate migraines can now be treated with over the counter meds!! Such major improvement!!

I have to have the Botox treatment every 3 months and the neurologist says that with each treatment I'll see even more improvement. I'm sooo thrilled. I was bedridden at least 3-4x weekly with my migraines. So, any improvement I can get, I'll take.

Please click on the link below and see if your migraines qualify you for the Botox treatement. If you think it does, run, don't walk, to your nearest migraine specialist. I can't tell you how this has improved my life! I hope it can help you too!

http://www.botoxchronicmigraine.com/about-chronic-migraine/?cid=sem_CMB_goo_s_7899

[angelloz]

yea!!!! I am a long time migraineur and know what a relief you must be feeling. A word of caution to other dysautonomia folks. I tried botox too...I had a bad reaction including inability to swallow food and severe neck pain. Ended up in the ER and they told me not to get it again. After about 4 weeks the problems lessoned. I think it is worth a try and had heard great things about it....some may want to start with a lower dose. Enjoy those migraine free days

Angelloz

[diamondcut]

I have Botox too, its has helped with the pain side of things thats for sure, especially in my neck. I know if they dont inject it in the right areas, you can have problems blinking or eating etc. Luckily i am ok and its the one thing that has helped me.

The nerve block injection that is different to Botox, that is a steroid and i did not react well to that, but its something you should consider if Botox helps.

[LMG]

What is in the nerve block and is that an injection in the neck or head? My neurologist doesn't think botox is for me but has talked about lidocaine injected into trigger points.