Does Botox Treat Chronic Migraines?

If you’re looking for a way to get rid of migraine headaches, you may try anything and everything just to escape the suffering that migraines bring.  Admittedly, migraine episodes may be excruciatingly painful and uncomfortable, wreaking havoc on your wellbeing. Just like any other chronic pain condition, migraines need pain management. 

Chronic migraine is diagnosed when you suffer migraine symptoms on an average of 15 days per month. Migraine meds are available to treat symptoms associated with migraines or to stop attacks from happening.

Botox, an intravenous medicine manufactured from a refined protein named Clostridium botulinum, is one such prophylactic treatment. It stops particular chemical impulses from your neurons when administered into your body, causing temporary muscular paralysis.

Botox gained its popularity as an anti-wrinkle solution, but experts realized it might also be used to address medical issues. It’s often used to treat issues including chronic neuro-muscular issues like spasms of the neck, eye twitches, and an overactive bladder. Usage of botox for migraines is also becoming increasingly popular thanks to the massive effectiveness of the treatment. 

How does botox affect migraines? 

The common symptoms of chronic migraine attacks include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to outer stimuli to senses like smell, sound, and lights. Botox has been proven to help with all of these symptoms. 

Botox is administered into the muscles that cause headaches and migraines. It inhibits nerve terminals and prevents the production of pain-transmitting molecules.

It may require 10 days to two weeks on average for the patient to feel better after receiving Botox injections. In rare circumstances, the initial round of shots may not provide any comfort from your migraine symptoms. Subsequent additional treatments might be more beneficial.

The typical management of chronic migraine prophylaxis consists of 31 shots of 5 units each. The injection sites include the upper bridge above the nose, forehead, temples, neck, and upper back. 

Possible side effects of Botox 

Botox procedures have a low risk of complications and adverse effects. Neck discomfort and stiffness at the administered site are the most typical Botox adverse effects.

Some more common effects include a lot of other things. You could have a headache as a result. Temporary muscular weakness in the neck and shoulders is also possible. It may be difficult to keep your head up as a result of this. When such adverse effects do develop, they normally go away after some days.

However, in some very rare cases, it is possible for the botox toxin to spread beyond the site it was injected in. In such scenarios, the patients might go through some serious symptoms like muscle weakness, vision changes, difficulty swallowing, drooping eyelids, and sharply raised eyebrows. 

It is always important to ensure Botox is recommended and given by a competent healthcare expert to avoid major side effects and problems. Look for a certified doctor or neurologist who has treated persistent migraines with Botox.

What to expect and how often is it done? 

Botox injection procedures are practically painless in and of themselves. For each injection, however, you may feel a little sting or a faint burning sensation.

The duration of each session will be approximately between 10-15 minutes roughly. Your physician will administer botox repeatedly in small dosages into specified places along with your head and shoulders during the appointments.

Most patients are able to go about their daily lives as usual after the therapy.

Botox injections for migraines are usually administered once every three months by the doctor. The hazards of getting Botox injections more regularly have not been thoroughly explored, thus they are still unknown.

Some patients may recover dramatically after therapy and be able to stop using it without relapsing. Your physician will suggest a professional time scale for your Botox treatment based on your reaction.

Conclusion: 

Botox is among numerous therapy options accessible to those who suffer from severe migraines. Botox shots may not be recommended by your physician until other treatments available have failed. If your body doesn’t handle migraine drugs well, they could recommend Botox.

If previous preventative procedures haven’t worked to relieve your persistent migraine symptoms, it’s time to consult your physician or doctor about Botox. It’s a simple and safe procedure with a very low-risk factor that might lead to more symptom-free days.