Botox injection tomorrow!
 

I am having my first Botox injections tomorrow for migraines and was wondering if anyone could tell me what to expect? Any no-no's afterwards?
Of course, really, who am I kidding, I will most likely will be back to the house afterwards!

I'm sorry I don't have any experience with Botox to share, but I do hope that you'll post your experience here after its done. I'm curious to know where they do the injections(spine, skull, etc...) and if it helps?

Good luck and I hope you get some help from them. ee

Botox
 

Some years ago, I had Botox injection on the side of my neck and back of shoulder and back of head. I was having muscle inflamation left side of neck and shoulder. This condition would frequently lead to migraines.

The injections, as I recall, not the most pleasant, but not as bad as anticipated either. Unfortunately, they really did not make any difference so it was decided not to do a second that had been scheuled for a few months later.

Not sure this wil be helpful since yours may be near temple. Either way; best to let your body/self relax and if possible close eyes or don't look at needle. Much easier to handle that way.

Gerry

I had a doctor try to push botox injections on me for migraine nearly a decade ago (before they were approved for migraine). My insurance would not cover them, but from everything I read, and what I got the doctor to reluctantly admit, they are temporary at best. As I recall, each round may last for up to 3 months (or as long as cosmetic botox injections last) and each time they're given, the efficacy and duration diminishes, so that they are only effective 3 or 4 times at best. Then you're back to where you were before you got them (albeit considerably poorer :mad:).

I don't recall if the temples were mentioned or not. Mine were proposed at various sites on my neck, back, and shoulders.

If there were any negative aspects (allergies, side effects, etc.) I was told I'd be stuck with them for the duration of the injections and nothing else could be done to undo or correct the situation.

The risk/benefit equation didn't sound very good to me.

http://health.usnews.com/health-news...ne-study-finds

http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18563_162-555209.html

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/0...ine-sufferers/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhe...13-sideEffects

Doc

I am back....
 

I am back from the Botox injections...they hurt like a (insert expletive here)! He injected me about 25 times, using about 3 times normal cosmetic amount. Of course it hurt me more because of crps and the allodynia that accompanies it. He was very thorough...forehead, temples, back of head, neck...
Doctor also said that it could take a few weeks to see any improvement so I will keep you posted :)
I will admit that I probably would not have gone through with it if my insurance didn't cover it but since it did and I have already hit my deductible, I figured I would give it a try....
Lisa

Lisa,
 

Injected 25 times. Wow. Actually, I went to a doctor that specializeed in Torticollis, a form of Dystonia. If I recall, I think I may have had a total of 8 or 10 injections. It is suppose to take a week or two before they start working and then, as Doc mentioned, they are only good for about 3 months. By the time it begins to work, it is almost time to get another. Didn't get enough relief so never had a second round. I do hope you get at least a decent amount of relief time.

Some years ago, I had gone to a Neurologist for the migraines. He prescribed preventative meds, Inderal and Elavil to take daily in an effort to prevent them. I had also done bio-feedback. He had also prescribed Midrin to be taking when migraine would be coming on and during the migraine. He prescribe a large quantity with 12 refills. Had no idea about rebound headaches at that time and he never warned me this could happen Since he had prescribed a large quantity with 12 refills to last a year; didn't realize I was having rebound headaches. Awful.

Whem Imitrex came on the market, it was the answer to my prayers. They really help. But, as previously mentioned; must be careful not to overdo because of rebound headaches. I learned the hard way.

Keep us informed.


(Gerry)

I hope you get some good results from the injections. I had Botox for my migraines back on March 1. The dr told me my head would hurt worse for a week or two, but it didn't, I just had my normal headaches. It stopped my ice-pick headaches right away. You are right, it definitely hurts!! I got 20-25 injections also (I have RSD too) in my forehead, temples, side, back and top of my head and my neck.

I am so bummed that I can't get Botox anymore...I broke outing rash from it :( I benefited from it so much, but the allergic reaction is too risky!!

Good luck!
Nanc

He didn't help, or tell you how to deal with rebounds?

Doc

No he did not. My Opthamologist recomended this Neurologist. I went to him for a few years. He would see me once a year (did the biofeedback he suggested). He gave me a quantity of 100 times 12. I had no idea about rebounds at the time. This was over 15 years ago. My son had looked on the internet and told me what he had read about Midrin and rebound headaches. (I had not used a computer at that time.)

I did not realize why my jaw would very often tighten badly as well. I was very upset with this doctor and stopped going to him. Went on withdrawal of all headache meds, including Bufferin and the Midrin. I had terrible headaches for months; but refused to use anything. Eventually, Imitrex came on the market. I had learned the hard way; but they are, as far as I am concerned, a miracle.

Gerry

That's kinda the way I feel about Maxalt. Imitrex didn't do much for me. (I know for some folks it's just the other way around.) The first neuro I went to for migraines said I had rebounds from the Maxalt, and then said (same visit) I had a "status migraine" :Hum: His solution was to take a low dose of Imitrex for a week (too low to work). It was a week of agony.... AG-GON-NEE! :Bawling: When the 10 days were up, I took some Maxalt, knocked out the headache, and never went back.

I wish Maxalt was generic like Imitrex, though - these are some cussed expensive headaches! :mad:

Doc

Doc, I avoid as many generics as possible. I get 50mg's Imitrex and cut them in half. I then take 25mg's at the onset. Once in a while I need a second half; but not often. I had agreed to take the generic so my doctor then could fax my insurance the need for the "brand" name only. The insurance now covers the Imitrex.

I had enough left of the Imitrex so when the generic was prescribed, i was able to continue with Imitrex and a sufficient time elapsed so the doctor could fax the need for "brand" only.

I went off the Midrin and Bufferin, aspirin; anything for headaches, etc. for a few months. The pain was awful; but I was so determined to get these headaches under control and out of anything that might remain "rebound".

Gerry

There are about 8 approved triptans to treat an acute migraine and, if one doesnt help you just try one of the others. Maxalt has a very rapid onset of action but has a high rebound rate so those who tend to have a long headaches or several days of triggers (like a period related migraine0, it may not be a good choice. With any acute treatment, the soon eryou use it the more effective it will be so never hold off taking if you think it is a migraine.

Botox can be an effective preventive choice but does need to be repeated every 3 months to remain effective (sometimes it begins to last for 4 or 5 months). Like all preventive therapies, you can do more than one at a time. Biofeedback was mentioned and is quite effective when prtacticed regularly. Stress managment/relaxation works. All the lifestyle changes- better sleep, daily exercise, regular healthy meals, reduce/eliminate caffeine can all be important. Recent guidelines showed many supplements very effective, including magnesium, riboflavin, feverfew, Coenzyme Q10, and butterbur. Be aggressicve with preventive efforts- it can be so worthwhile!

Best wishes on a good response to the Botox.

Can I ask what dr did your Botox and if you've kept up with it? I've had mixed results and am looking for a new dr in the area to try with hoping for better results. Thanks!

Hi Abrouda, welcome.

Would you mind (for the benefit of members/visitors seeking information) elucidating what you meant by "mixed results"?

Doc

That was 5-15-12. I wish that Lisa (Happygeek) had returned to follow-up; I think it would have been useful to others either way.

That was 5-18-12. Since that time (about a year ago, IIRC) Maxalt (rizatriptan) HAS gone generic. A quick search (subject to error) indicates the price per 10 mg pill is around $5 generic vs. $37 brand. Of course prices will vary depending on insurance, pharmacy, etc.

Doc