Does anyone else...

Natascha

Natascha

Well-known member
Have experiences with Botox for migraines?

I have chronic migraines and have tried and had various medications to prevent them...but unfortunately,
these stop working after a short period. So, the neurologist wants to try Botox.
The medication I take when I get an attack works great, but I keep getting them too often...
I have between 15 and 20 migraine days a month... o_O
 
Not personally- but one of our dentists that I work with does give botox for migraines ALL THE TIME! From what I've heard patients report it does really help. Sometimes they don't completely go away- but it makes them more manageable. And supposedly per Dr. Roper if you continue to do the botox every 4-6 months, it can eventually make them go away permanently. Good luck & hope it works for you!
 
Yes I used to get Botox for mine and it did help, I only quit because I used to workout so much that I metabolized it too fast and was paying too much.
 
I, too, have chronic treatment-resistant migraines, and my experience with medications is similar to yours. They work for a while until my body gets used to them and then they stop working altogether.

I get quarterly Botox injections, and they do help. I still have migraines 3-4 days a week, but I was getting them 5-6 days a week before ... so that's improvement. It wasn't a magical cure-all for me. But you do have to commit to getting them done quarterly for 12-18 months before you'll know for sure how much they can help you. It can take multiple rounds before you notice a significant difference.

Also, be aware that you might get mildly sick after the injections, depending on the quantity. They do 2 vials for me, and when I started, I would run a low-grade fever and have flu-like symptoms for 24-36 hours afterward. I have a CNS sensitivity disorder and a weak immune system, so they said it was unsurprising. It's nothing debilitating, but I generally don't schedule anything for the day after my injections knowing I may feel crummy and want to sleep all day.

Good luck to you as you pursue treatment!
 
AmieN1 said:
Not personally- but one of our dentists that I work with does give botox for migraines ALL THE TIME! From what I've heard patients report it does really help. Sometimes they don't completely go away- but it makes them more manageable. And supposedly per Dr. Roper if you continue to do the botox every 4-6 months, it can eventually make them go away permanently. Good luck & hope it works for you!
Click to expand...
Yes it definitely made mine more manageable , less vomiting and instead of lasting days it would fade to the background and I could function
 
Thank you ladies!!

I'm terrified for needles, but that's just a small thing compared to what I can gain by these shots.
 
My daughter gets Botox shots for her migraines (quarterly I think, not sure). The medications that work for her aren't safe for pregnancy and nursing so she is thankful the Botox works. Her insurance doesn't cover all of the cost, so they pay a chunk out of pocket but it is worth it for her to be able to function.
 
I've never used Botox, but I did start using Nurtec about 3 1/2 years ago for breakthrough migraines and it's amazing. In the 25ish years I've suffered, other than a shot at the hospital, I've never found a medication that knocks them out.

I also take a daily preventative I've been on for almost 10 years that I think has helped.

Good Luck!! I hope you find some relief.
 
NOTE TO ALL - if you or someone you love is receiving BOTOX for migraines, be sure to check out AbbVie's BOTOX Savings Program. If you meet their requirements - which involve coverage with commercial insurance and are not income-related - they will help cover out-of-pocket costs that aren't covered by your insurance.

Basically, they waive the cost of everything above and beyond what your insurance will pay, and they'll even help cover the fees from your doctor for the injections themselves.

Botox Savings Program | BOTOX® for Chronic Migraine

See how you may be able to save on Chronic Migraine treatment costs with the BOTOX® Savings Program. See full Safety and Product Info, including Boxed Warning.
www.botoxchronicmigraine.com www.botoxchronicmigraine.com

It's worth looking into. If I hadn't met my out-of-pocket max already for this year, I'd have signed up again for 2026.
 
A good friend of mine gets botox for her migraines and she says it is the only thing that has ever helped her.
 
nesser1981 said:
I've never used Botox, but I did start using Nurtec about 3 1/2 years ago for breakthrough migraines and it's amazing. In the 25ish years I've suffered, other than a shot at the hospital, I've never found a medication that knocks them out.

I also take a daily preventative I've been on for almost 10 years that I think has helped.

Good Luck!! I hope you find some relief.
Click to expand...
I took a daily preventative, but after a while I got resistant to it...we tried several Happy to hear that
it works for you! 😁

angiekey said:
NOTE TO ALL - if you or someone you love is receiving BOTOX for migraines, be sure to check out AbbVie's BOTOX Savings Program. If you meet their requirements - which involve coverage with commercial insurance and are not income-related - they will help cover out-of-pocket costs that aren't covered by your insurance.

Basically, they waive the cost of everything above and beyond what your insurance will pay, and they'll even help cover the fees from your doctor for the injections themselves.

Botox Savings Program | BOTOX® for Chronic Migraine

See how you may be able to save on Chronic Migraine treatment costs with the BOTOX® Savings Program. See full Safety and Product Info, including Boxed Warning.
www.botoxchronicmigraine.com www.botoxchronicmigraine.com

It's worth looking into. If I hadn't met my out-of-pocket max already for this year, I'd have signed up again for 2026.
Click to expand...

Our insurance system is way more different then your's...or at least in the US. Almost everything in covered here, but thanks for the heads up, hope someone can use your tip!!
 
I’ve heard of Botox helping for migraines but it scares the crap out of me. I guess I’m nervous about any products that are not natural and use caution.
 
Leablahblah said:
I’ve heard of Botox helping for migraines but it scares the crap out of me. I guess I’m nervous about any products that are not natural and use caution.
Click to expand...
My mom has essential tremor in her neck and Botox has been recommended for her but she refuses to do it as it scares her as well. Thankfully her meds work well enough that she can function.
 
Leablahblah said:
I’ve heard of Botox helping for migraines but it scares the crap out of me. I guess I’m nervous about any products that are not natural and use caution.
Click to expand...
Well, it depends on what you mean by "natural" - Botox is Botulinum Toxin - a protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. So it's a naturally-occuring protein.

</tongue-in-cheek response>
 
angiekey said:
Well, it depends on what you mean by "natural" - Botox is Botulinum Toxin - a protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. So it's a naturally-occuring protein.

</tongue-in-cheek response>
Click to expand...
Injecting man-made products in my face sounds anything but natural… to each his own.
 
Leablahblah said:
Injecting man-made products in my face sounds anything but natural… to each his own.
Click to expand...
It's not only in the head, also in the neck and shoulders and if it helps me manage my migraines...
other medicines are also man-made, but they don't do it for me and I rather have botox then
15 till 25 days per month with a migraines, spending in bed...no light or sounds, time away from
my loved ones...etc etc etc
 
Natascha said:
It's not only in the head, also in the neck and shoulders and if it helps me manage my migraines...
other medicines are also man-made, but they don't do it for me and I rather have botox then
15 till 25 days per month with a migraines, spending in bed...no light or sounds, time away from
my loved ones...etc etc etc
Click to expand...
Oh I know how debilitating it is. I have them too. I hope it works for you if you try it. Let us know!
 
I have not. For now, I am having great luck with a huge daily dose of B2 vitamin and monthly acupuncture treatments. Pretty thankful for it because migraines are awful, and all the meds for them have awful side effects. I hope the Botox works for you, though. 15-20 a month is way too much.
 
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Leablahblah said:
Injecting man-made products in my face sounds anything but natural… to each his own.
Click to expand...
Lea, I was being facetious with my response, so I'm sorry if it came across as anything other than humorous. Botox isn't man-made, it's nature-made, but the fact that we're willing to inject one of the most toxic substances in the world into our bodies is a little crazy ... but it's also crazy the number of uses they've found for it outside of cosmetic use. People who sweat profusely can use it to freeze their sweat glands temporarily. It's used as an anti-spasmodic for people with debilitating muscular conditions. And for some people with migraines, it can be life-changing.

But how insane were those first scientists who said, "Y'know, let's try injecting this and see what happens..." LOL!

I have a huge amount of respect for people who try to go as natural as possible both with their personal care products and with their healthcare choices. My daughter-in-law very much takes that approach with my grandgirls.

@Natascha - Fair warning, the injections into the forehead and scalp are very painful. Thankfully, they're over with quickly. I've found the ones in my neck, shoulders, and jaw aren't bad at all, but there's something about the spots that are closer to the bone that hurt like a mother. If you have access to any pain medication, even if it's just paracetamol/tylenol, take it about an hour before your injections. And remember to breathe...
 
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