Hi all,
Has anyone here tried botox treatment for treating migraine? My sister is suffering from a severe migraine pain and she is not able to concentrate on anything. We had tried several medications for this, nothing worked. Now, she is applying peppermint oil on her forehead for a temporary relief. It is affecting her studies and other activities. Recently I read an article which is about migraine pain and botox treatment ( http://www.med-aesthetics.com/blog/botox-treatemnt/treating-migraines-hyperhidrosis-and-pain-with-botox/ ). It says that, by botox treatment, we can completely treat migraine pain. Is it true? We need a permanent solution for her problem. I don't want to see her in pain all the time. Can anyone suggest a better solution for this?

A friend of mine with bad migraines tried it, and got some relief, but not total. It has to be re-done a few times a year, as I recall, so it's not permanent. Like so many other migraine treatments, results vary.

Everyone in my family has migraines. I have been able to reduce mine by avoiding triggers. I take Excedrin at the first twinge, and have my triptan as a backup. My daughter has basilar migraines and takes a seizure medicine to reduce them, and she has injectible triptans for when prevention doesn't work. My sister was on beta blockers for years to reduce her migraines, she'll have one for weeks.

All I can say is anything is worth a try, don't give up. Most people can't get rid of migraines completely, but there's lots of options for reducing them and hopefully keeping them from messing up our lives.

I have suffered from severe migraines headaches in the past. I think it is very important to recognize the trigger. For me it was florescent lighting. If you avoid the trigger, you avoid the headaches. It was a little difficult to avoid this lighting when you worked in an office area that had nothing but florescent lighting. But whenever I saw the first signs of an attack, I moved outside for a few minutes and that helped.

@@pprl8765 Is it possible that it is hormonal? My niece had horrible migraines that improved on birth control pills.

@@pprl8765

I have suffered from severe migraine my entire adult life many times ending up in the ER for help. If you have ever been to the ER during a migraine it is absolutely not the right place to be.

About 7 years ago someone at work suggested going to a neurologist that specialized in migraine. I happened to find one that also suffered from them herself.

Migraine is hereditary. Now my son and 12 year old Granddaughter both suffer terribly. Migraine with little to no treatment actually causes damage to your jaw joints. I know because I have severe arthritis of the jaw from clenching due to pain.

Anyway my neurologist started me on a couple of basic preventatives that they give anyone who suffers to help prevent. I was on propanalol and topamax for prevention. She also sent me to occupational therapy which taught me how to leverage meditation for those really bad ones.

These were all good things but migraines when they come need something to relieve them.

She put me on a rescue drug called Dihydroergotomine. You give yourself a quick injection as you feel the migraine coming on. If you get aura, that's the perfect time. I swear, this injection takes hold in less than 30 minutes. You have your whole day back feeling as if the migraine never even happened. This is not a narcotic it's used to open the blood vessels in your brain which is what is causing the migraine. She also gave me a second rescue medication given by injection called ketorlac. It is what they give you in the ER. This is just in case the DHE doesn't work. I can tell you that I have only had to use the ketorlac 3 times in the last 7 years. I have not been to an ER in that 7 years once for migraine. I can treat it at home and I am up and running 30 minutes later.

Prior to this I tried everything. Botox, imitrex, something that started with an M (sorry cannot remember the name) as well as many others. None of that stuff worked for me and I swear I have told several people that I know who suffer with them to ask their doctor to be put on a preventative and give them Dihydroergotomine as a rescue drug. 2 of the people I work with that tried it have the same results. It is worth learning to give yourself an injection. I promise!!!!

Oh and understanding the triggers and staying away is critical. The first thing my doc did was have me stop drinking caffeine, stay completely away from an artificial sweeteners, red wine. Also she had me stop taking any over the counter stuff because all of besides alieve cause rebound migraines. Excedrine is one of the worst rebound medications. Same is true of any narcotic that has Tylenol in it. When I take pain killers, I get migraines that stay for days and days until I stop the pain killers.

@Djmohr

Thanks for the info about what you take. I am going to have my daughter ask about the DHE. She had a status basilar migraine that put her in the hospital for a week taking ergotamine infusions. But her neuro at the time said that he didn't have an ergot to prescribe for her at home. Her triptan injections are starting to be spotty in relieving her migraines. She's on a high enough dose of topamax to have slight aphasia, so that can't go any higher. They haven't tried any beta blockers on her yet.

I always think it's interesting to see how different docs' treatments vary. Her neuro advised us to take OTC's as needed, sometimes the Excedrin with a coffee or cola will break a migraine fine if taken early enough. He also said that on any day that we have a headache migraine or not, when we go to bed that night take 800mg ibuprofen along with a good dose of benadryl to stop the inflammation cascade that can then trigger a migraine or keep one going. And "good dose of benadryl" varies... I'm incredibly tolerant to it and can take 75-100mg without a problem, my daughter can only take 25-50mg. That neuro said migraineurs need to drink caffeine, but after he left the practice her new neuro griped her out for having a latte.

This is going to sound really strange, but it used to do wonders for my old girlfriend when she had a migraine...sex

http://www.livescience.com/27642-sex-relieves-migraine-pain.html

NOTE: I am not volunteering to help.

I think there is something to this though because every study I've seen is women are incapable of not thinking except during an orgasm. But look at what happens to the brain during sex here: http://youtu.be/hpc2NjUAtOY, and you get oxitocin.

This is going to sound really strange, but it used to do wonders for my old girlfriend when she had a migraine...sex

http://www.livescience.com/27642-sex-relieves-migraine-pain.html

NOTE: I am not volunteering to help.

I think there is something to this though because every study I've seen is women are incapable of not thinking except during an orgasm. But look at what happens to the brain during sex here: , and you get oxitocin.

LOL. All I can say is that I'm happy she found something that helps. And that she must not have the same effects from her migraines as I do... between the light sensitivity and any movement causing stabbing pain, and the nausea... I can't see sex as being even remotely an option for me when I'm migraining.

Edited June 30, 201610 yr by theantichick

<quote>This is going to sound really strange, but it used to do wonders for my old girlfriend when she had a migraine...sex

http://www.livescience.com/27642-sex-relieves-migraine-pain.html

NOTE: I am not volunteering to help.

I think there is something to this though because every study I've seen is women are incapable of not thinking except during an orgasm. But look at what happens to the brain during sex here: , and you get oxitocin.</quote>

LOL. All I can say is that I'm happy she found something that helps. And that she must not have the same effects from her migraines as I do... between the light sensitivity and any movement causing stabbing pain, and the nausea... I can't see sex as being even remotely an option for me when I'm migraining.

It was therapeutic sex, not romantic. For her I volunteered after we both saw the studies. It did help a great deal for her despite the fact she was not in the mood, but she mustered the strength to start, and in the end ta da, it helped. I have seen simuler case studies for males too. Despite the fact, they sure as heck were not in the mood, but it seems to work. No one is sure if it is the oxitocin or the nerves behind the optic nerve losen up, but for some it seems to help.

Hi all,

Has anyone here tried botox treatment for treating migraine? My sister is suffering from a severe migraine pain and she is not able to concentrate on anything. We had tried several medications for this, nothing worked. Now, she is applying peppermint oil on her forehead for a temporary relief. It is affecting her studies and other activities. Recently I read an article which is about migraine pain and botox treatment ( http://www.med-aesthetics.com/blog/botox-treatemnt/treating-migraines-hyperhidrosis-and-pain-with-botox/ ). It says that, by botox treatment, we can completely treat migraine pain. Is it true? We need a permanent solution for her problem. I don't want to see her in pain all the time. Can anyone suggest a better solution for this?

My wife is on Botox treatment, you have to rule out a lot of other meds first. You also have to have like 15 within a month (cronic). They are several shots at one time and its about every 6 weeks. It helps but it does not cure. After about 4 weeks they start coming back on a regualr bases but have to wait until 6 weeks is up before you get your shots again. They are expensive so you need good insurence.

I too want to research the DHE med to see if she is a candidate for that med. Thanks for the tip.

@@pprl8765

I have suffered from severe migraine my entire adult life many times ending up in the ER for help. If you have ever been to the ER during a migraine it is absolutely not the right place to be.

About 7 years ago someone at work suggested going to a neurologist that specialized in migraine. I happened to find one that also suffered from them herself.

Migraine is hereditary. Now my son and 12 year old Granddaughter both suffer terribly. Migraine with little to no treatment actually causes damage to your jaw joints. I know because I have severe arthritis of the jaw from clenching due to pain.

Anyway my neurologist started me on a couple of basic preventatives that they give anyone who suffers to help prevent. I was on propanalol and topamax for prevention. She also sent me to occupational therapy which taught me how to leverage meditation for those really bad ones.

These were all good things but migraines when they come need something to relieve them.

She put me on a rescue drug called Dihydroergotomine. You give yourself a quick injection as you feel the migraine coming on. If you get aura, that's the perfect time. I swear, this injection takes hold in less than 30 minutes. You have your whole day back feeling as if the migraine never even happened. This is not a narcotic it's used to open the blood vessels in your brain which is what is causing the migraine. She also gave me a second rescue medication given by injection called ketorlac. It is what they give you in the ER. This is just in case the DHE doesn't work. I can tell you that I have only had to use the ketorlac 3 times in the last 7 years. I have not been to an ER in that 7 years once for migraine. I can treat it at home and I am up and running 30 minutes later.

Prior to this I tried everything. Botox, imitrex, something that started with an M (sorry cannot remember the name) as well as many others. None of that stuff worked for me and I swear I have told several people that I know who suffer with them to ask their doctor to be put on a preventative and give them Dihydroergotomine as a rescue drug. 2 of the people I work with that tried it have the same results. It is worth learning to give yourself an injection. I promise!!!!

Oh and understanding the triggers and staying away is critical. The first thing my doc did was have me stop drinking caffeine, stay completely away from an artificial sweeteners, red wine. Also she had me stop taking any over the counter stuff because all of besides alieve cause rebound migraines. Excedrine is one of the worst rebound medications. Same is true of any narcotic that has Tylenol in it. When I take pain killers, I get migraines that stay for days and days until I stop the pain killers.

Djmohr, Ketorlac is a NSAID is your surgon OK with its use? Maybe because it is an injectable it is easyer on us than NSAID in pill form? Any input on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for your post.

@@OKCPirate

LOL! When I was at my worst with migraine, I had one 27 out of 31 days. I tried sex over and over and although it was fun, it never has helped me.

It's a good way for my hubby to never get it. LOL!

My migraines are the best they ever have been after losing all this weight too. Some months I will get between 3 and 5 and other months I will have none. I will take those 3-5 knowing I can get rid of them quickly these days. I might also mention that after I lost the first 80lbs I could no longer tolerate the beta blockers as I have very low blood pressure after having high blood pressure for so long.

Another benefit of bypass and the diet I follow. I no longer need a preventative, just my DHE to knock it out when it is upon me.

I had a brutal one last night and they come on so fast. I know why I got it, I am weaning off of heavy narcotics for all my back surgeries this past year. They had me on so many mind altering drugs to control pain and none of them worked so we started weaning in March and I am finally down to the smallest dose of fentanyl. 2 more weeks and I will be off all that crap that made my headaches worse.

I have not had sex in a while though! Damn hubby isn't putting out. TMI, I know but I would be willing to give it a try again! I keep dreaming about it. LOL

I had chronic migraines and was ready to start the botox treatments when my neurologist suggested a preventative called protriptyline. I went from migraines 4 days a week to migraines once or twice a month. Everybody is different and responds differently to medication but that is what works for me! I also take an abortive when I feel a migraine starting called rizatriptan. The sooner I take it the better!

Good luck. Migraines are hard.

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I have chronic migraines and have used Imitrex, migrinal, etc as well as had Botox. Botox was amazing! I also avoid my triggers....

The best thing to do is do not go to just any neurologist. Go to headache.com and find someone Board Certified in headache medicine. They will help you find the correct treatment for you. Migraines deserve a sub specialist

Good luck, migraines can be hell.....

@@dtiller1147

My surgeon has ok'd the ketorlac but honestly I have had no need to used it since my surgery almost 2 years ago. The Dihydroergotomine takes care of my migraine on the first dose and if by some chance it doesn't I choose to go to sleep. After a 2nd dose which I have literally done twice in seven years, it always goes away.

Even though they told me ketorlac is ok in the injection form, I choose not to use any NSAIDs for anything. I have even added it to my allergy list.

@@Nurse_Lenora

Your advice to find a neurologist that is board certified in headache medicine is SPOT ON! People do not realize that there really is a significant difference in that specialty.

I have and it worked temporarily. It would only last 2-3 months for me.

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