I had my previous Neurologist (I let him go) suggest Botox injections for my headaches (from seizures/TN). I pretty much said "No" but did research and the risks seem higher than rewards, for my personal taste at least.

He boasted how it was a huge hit here, however - I live in Orange County, he has "Botox Fridays" and on those days, the office is loaded with middle-aged women. Of course it was a huge hit, moreso that most insurances DO pay for this (mine does).

I still declined, but am curious to see if anyone actually did it for headaches and if it worked or not.

Hi!
My latest neuro was very pro botox as well. He really wanted me to try it and since I have tried almost everything else, I decided to do it. First of all, I thought that the treatment itself hurt, but then I am a pretty big baby at times. Then, for the first 3 to 4 weeks, my migraines were worse, and worst of all, they didn't seem to get better when I took my imitrex, which is the only thing that has ever worked for my migraines. After the first 3 weeks, my migraines did get better, so I decided to try the next six weeks of botox, after being promised that it would get better with each set of shots.

The second set was worse than the first, I was in pain from migraines almost the full six weeks and the effects of the imitrex were very diminished. I would never do it again. Of course, this is only my experience and I am sure others will have more positive stories. I do have a very sensitive head, it seems like wearing things on my head such as headbands or sunglassed can make my headaches worse, so that may have contributed to my experience.

Hope this helps.

Lisa

where do they do the injections?

does it depend on where the headaches oe migraines are located?

mine tend to get focused through my eyes..many times up my nose into my head and eyes. ( i have no sinus infections )

when i get a migraine i tend to scrunch my eyebrows together. that only makes it worse and causes that deep crease.

Mine wanted to put it in areas no needle belongs on my body. My forhead, temples, and my actual head (back).

The thought of a needle going in my temples is enough to make me almost want a headache over the botox. I read the ricks, and the success percentage is low - the side effects are pretty high (between 15-40%) - some being extreme (perm. eye damage being one).

Thanks, Lisa - I feel good about my decision to say no.

no way for the temples for me. maybe the forhead and the crease between my eyes..

maybe something to think about. but like you said..those risks....

not onthe topic of headaches for botox, but my mom's dr has talked to her about them for her leg pain. she had epidurals done. more pain having them and didn't relieve any.

As to where they put the needles, he put them in my temples, all over my forehead, down to my eyebrows, back into my hairline and down the back of my head to my neck. The problem is you have a lot of nerves in your face and I really felt it! Had to squeeze my husband's hand, hard! But, like I said, I am a big baby, and if it had worked, I would gladly go through it again. Also, another thing my neuro told me is that if it was effective, it would eventually stop working anyway.

Lisa

First of all - you should only be getting the injections at the MOST every 3 months.... no sooner... And the first session they are supposed to go weak with the mixture and see if that is enough for you - if not (after 3 months) they will go with a stronger mixture.

I am getting this for my neck, shoulders, upper arms, and upper - mid back this Thursday the 16th. I will let ya all know how it goes. I plan to use a lot of ice afterward - every hour for 15-20min the first night for sure.

talk with ya all later! (mine is not for headaches its for muscle spasms and tight muscles). And I heard the shots in the face etc. do hurt more than the ones in your neck and back etc.

Conster, how did the shots go?!

Hope you're feeling well.

*gentle hugs*

I had them done three times by two different doctors - one is a foremost headache specialist in the country(and he really didn't want to do it!) The better doctor used lots of little injections all over. Compared to my daily pain, they were barely a prick. A couple of acupuncture places, on the other hard, will bring tears streaming down your cheeks whether you want them of not......

I never felt any change. I felt no numbness. I had complete use of all muscles in my face. I had no problems, but no success either.

Suzanne

Hi all my name is victoria and I had botox on the 10th of Dec. My neuro and I came to the decision together. I have tried everything for my migraines and I am (was I hope) getting 14-20 a month they were BAD!!!

I had 2 vials of botox as I also had it injected into my trigger points in my back neck shoulder and head. I had all the classic botox migraine shots in the forehead, back of neck, side of head and brow area even in the jaw! I now have no movement in my brow. It's weird!! I lift my eyebrows and that's all that moves no more muscles above there moving..those would be main culprits of migraine(corragator SP?) muscles. That's why they inject there. So far I am having less muscle spasms in my back and neck where most of my pain originates. (I lifted a patient up from a toilet and wrecked my back neck and shoulder I am an RN or was have not worked since accident nov 2002)

I have great hope in this treatment and there are lots of studies to say that it is very effective if DONE PROPERLY by your physicain. Having said that not all doctors are the same and not all people have the same problems so what works for some may not work for others!

I hope some of my insights have helped you.

take care and good luck to those who try it....they say it takes a full 3 weeks before you can get the full effect of the botox.

love and hugs,
Victoria