How to Treat Migraines With Botox
Migraines are debilitating headaches that occur on a regular basis. Characterized by pounding or pulsating pain on one side of the head, migraines can also be accompanied by nausea, light sensitivity and other symptoms. Many people suffer from migraines and constantly seek preventative measures and treatment. For some, relief never comes. Recently, Botox was identified as a promising treatment for migraines. Discovered by accident when migraine sufferers found relief following Botox cosmetic procedures, it's now commonly being used off-label to treat migraines. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Locate a doctor who has experience using Botox to treat migraines. Not all cosmetic surgeons who use Botox are experienced in adapting the procedure to treat migraines. Ask potential doctors how many procedures they have performed for migraines and what their success rate is.
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Describe the symptoms of your migraines to your doctor. Migraine sufferers experience pain in a variety of locations in the head, and where your pain is concentrated can affect where the Botox injections are administered. Common sites for Botox injections to treat migraines include the forehead, the back of the head, the base of the skull, the brow and sides of the head behind the temples and above the ears.
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Get Botox injections every 3 months or as determined by your doctor. Treating migraines is not a one-time fix, as Botox only stays in your system temporarily. For results to remain, you have to keep up regular Botox treatments.
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Talk to your doctor about using Botox treatments with other migraine treatments. In order to get maximum results, you may have to combine Botox with other migraine therapy such as anti-depressants, anti-inflammatory drugs and blood pressure medications. Treating your migraines on a number of fronts may provide the relief you crave.
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Be prepared to pay out of pocket for Botox treatments. Because treatment for migraines is an off-label use for Botox, some insurance companies will not cover the costs. Botox treatments are not cheap, so find out beforehand whether you can expect any support from your insurance company.
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Tips & Warnings
Botox has also been shown to work on tension headaches caused by muscle contractions. The Botox relaxes the muscles that trigger the tension headaches.
As most long-term migraine sufferers know, no treatment works for all migraineurs. Just as some oral medications may not work, Botox may not provide relief for some sufferers.
Some side effects are associated with Botox, including nausea, pain at the injection site and headache. These side effects are temporary and are usually not severe enough to deter migraine sufferers from seeking Botox treatment.
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Comments
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doctorgeoff
Jul 02, 2009
Botox for migraines is more commonly given by a neurologist or a rehab doctor (physiatrist) than by dermatology or plastic surgery. The first two types of doctors are much more likely to understand appropriate treatment of the condition -
cadence
Oct 14, 2008
That's really interesting - thanks for posting.
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cadence
Oct 14, 2008
That's really interesting - thanks for posting.
