Hi,

I wondered if anyone has had sucess with botox for migraine releif. I was thinking about trying some for those above the eyes. I have heard they help some people like eveything else it seems you have to try eveything in the quest to reduce pain.

Mel

If I were you I would not do so. Remember that a Botox injection is a lethal injection. It contains the botulinum toxin that causes paraylisis and even in such small doses you are never sure what it can do to your body in the long term.

I had botox injections (about 10) in Nov. They inject you on forhead, back of head, side of head, top of head, etc for the effected side. I have a friend who had this done and got migraines that effected both sides of the head and he had about 20 injections. It doesn't hurt the needles are small and don't go in deep. I was really freaked about it when I didn't need to be. However, it has done nothing to help my migraines or cluster headaches that I get. I know several people that have had sucess with it and would recomend you trying it at least a couple of times to see if it helps or not. They do it every 3-5 months.

Hi Sarah,

I do have some concerns about the long term effects of botox as it is still so new. I am desperate to try anything for my migrane/cluster/cervical headache. I thought I 'd try botox before having a c2 nerve block which I am more nervous about despite studies verifying that it can be safe in the right hands, yet who knows?. Have you tried it? do you think it's more the drug itself (toxin and all) or the docter administering it. I hear all sorts of shanks seem to claim to be qualified in this area of cosmetic surgery type stuff.
Thanks Karla, for the reply re trying. I have some hope when I here it helps others. Will let you know if I do it.
Mel

Botox is the best treatment I have ever had for headaches. I have done it 3 times and it has worked great. You have to take several shots but it is well worth it.

do you mean several treatments or lots of shots? I have had it once but only a small dose in frown lines above eyes. It has helped my migranes yet I was thinking a higher dose may be better still. The doc I saw suggested a low dose to see if it helped. I had it 2 weeks ago. Is it too soon to have more? Just wondered if so?
Mel

The doctor that I use has been to a lot of seminars on botox and also trains other doctors on where to use it for the best results. I get a series of shots from my eyebrows to hairline. The next shots are in front and behind the ears. I have neck pains with mine so I also get shots in the back of neck. He has shown me charts of the muscles that affect migranes and explained how the shots work. He first used a needle that diabetics use. He has since found a smaller one and uses it. He also changes needles after a few shots because he said they get dull and hurt more. Some sting and some I can not feel but it is worth it to go about 3 months without a headaches. Before I was taking lots of medicine. My doctor says he is having about 90% suceess with Migranes. He is the 2nd most user of botox in Alabama behind UAB. He uses it a lot on athletics with muscle injuries and on palsy and other uses. I f you find a Doctor that knows where to put Botox it should help. I just had my 3rd series and I know of no side affects. If you want to know more let me know. Good Luck RSH

Hi RSH,
Thanks, I needed to hear from someone who has had these shots sucessfully. The doc I saw had been recommended to me by a friend and he was not very aware of the studies that show botox helping with migranes and so he suggested a low dose to try. I had shots above my eyes and they seem to help a bit but I feel I need more and a higher dose. I need to find someone in Australia who does the shots in the places you mentioned. I will keep looking. How long do your shots last? Take care.
Mel

Hi Mel
The shots I get have been lasting about 3 months for me. He says that it takes about 24 hrs to take effect after they are given. I get 10 shots from my eyebrows to my forhead. It is in 2 rows at a slight angle. Then i get 2 shots in front of each ear. Then 3 shots down each side in back of neck. You will know when the botox starts wearing off because you will start getting your headaches again. I wait until I start getting them and then schedule a new appointment. I get a slightly larger doses because I also have neck pains. I have gotten the same amount of botox each time. Its been almost a week since my last botox and I haven t had a single headache. Without it I was taking maxalt or something almost every day. Good Luck to You

Mel
The doctor I use teaches at seminars and some medical schools on where to give botox shots for the best results. He uses it for athletes with muscle injuries. He uses it for patients with palsy and a lot of other uses. He is the 2nd biggest user in my State behind the State Medical University. I feel lucky to have been using him for a while and confident with his treatment. I have tried almost all the medicines used for migraines. He is a neurologist.

Hi RSH,
Thanks for the detail about your shots it really helps me to understand. I am going to have more soon so will let you know how it goes. I am not sure whether I can have the neck ones as I just had facet block shots in c3/4 which seemed to stop the neck pain and I hope they will also reduce headaches. Stay headache free and take care.
Mel

Mel Good Luck Hope they will be a help to you. Let me know if you have any more question that I might be able to answer.

Maybe now that you have relief from the Botox, you can do lots of the stretches and rehab of the neck stuff and not feel so much pain. If you do experience this, please post, as I too have the neck pain, which causes my eye stabbing migraines. I had a wicked one last night and all day today, from crying yesterday, getting tense in there and then having PT. Sigh.
I hesitate to try Botox, even though the dose is small and it's been used since the 40's? or something like that, because I have Fibro and all kinds of weird ailments that never get explained. I'm afraid *I'd* be the exception to the safety rule with Botox. Or, that it would hurt me down the line . . .or, that it would make my neck go way limp like some of the horror stories