Botox - anyone tired this? - Pain Management Message Board

mngirl · 08-17-2005, 09:26 PM

We are trying to get some Botox shot approved to relax the muscles in my right shoulder and neck so they are not so tight and causing the MAJOR knots and headaches from the tight muscles pressing against my occiptal nerve.

Anyone ever tried this? My dr thinks that I am going to have to go to the pain clinic up in the Twin Cities (MN) and have them also recommend trying the treatment. We were told no once before due to the cost ($1000 per treatment). But my dr is going to inform them that I currently have 2 Lidocaine infusion treatments to reduce the pain in my elbow and they cost $700 per treatment! So it will be interesting to see what they say.

I was just wondering if anyone ever tried it and what were the results? I also currently go in and have trigger point injections into the knots, and that gives me about 3 days of relief, but talk about pain getting them. And I have not allowed him to shoot into the one in my neck, it is just too tight, it is my neck and I can't imagine a needle goingint into that knot. But I guess if the Botox gets approved I will have to endure it. I am just afraid that I am going to lose some ability to move my head/shoulder if he shoots it up.

Anyway...thanks for your info!
~Lisa

trowftd3 · 08-20-2005, 01:46 PM

I don't have first hand experience but a sister-in-law does get botox injections for migraines. Sorry, I don't know specifics but I know they do help her with her pain. Make sure you ask the doc about your concerns and make sure you get answers!
Good luck and let us know how it goes. I hope it's not too painful. ~Mush

katkat · 08-30-2005, 10:21 PM

Insurances will deny any treatment they can. They'll call it experiemental etc. I know that my own insurance would not pay for them. It makes sense that if Botox would paralyze the muscle that the pain would have to go away........at least temporarily. If I knew for sure I'd tell them to inject my feet and live pain free for 6 months. **** I'd love that. I'd gladly pay the $$$ to get off the morphine and be pain free. Let us know if you do it and it works.
Kat

Bilbo · 08-31-2005, 10:31 PM

Botox is the last procedure in a 4 procedure plan that we are doing with my neck and shoulder. Your situation sounds very similar to mine except I dont have the arm issues. Have you tried Radio Frequency Lesioning? Since you have pain in the arm and neck and shoulder one would think that its origin was in the neck. Just a thought.

I am going in for a redo set of RFL's in a few weeks and if they dont work then we plan to discuss Botox. It is a very controversial procedure and many Dr's would look at you funny if you brought up the notion. That being said, one of the Dr's I see has seen success with Botox. It is expensive and, yes, insurance will fight you on it. I would deffinetly get prior authorization for it before going ahead.

Good luck and please, if you do go through with it, let us know how it goes.