If you suffer from chronic migraines, you know intimately that they can disrupt your life, throwing your routine into a tailspin for days at a time. Who could go to work, manage a household or even drive with severe nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to lights, sounds and smells? No one.
Migraine sufferers are often willing to try just about anything to relieve the debilitating pain which can last for up to 15 days each month, essentially, destroying quality of life for half of each year.
Doctors can prescribe pain medications to treat symptoms, but unfortunately not everyone responds well to these treatments.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox-A or Botox) as a migraine treatment in 2010, and it’s now a widely accepted form of relief for many migraine sufferers.
Patients who are interested in Botox treatments for migraines are typically seen every three months for about a 15-month period. During a session, the doctor injects multiple doses in specific locations on the patient’s face, neck, head and upper back. Symptom reduction generally happens between 10 and 14 days later, although not always with the first treatment.
Botox may or may not be the right treatment for you, but it often a good option for patients who don’t fare well with other types of migraine medication. One of the reasons Botox is gaining in popularity for this affliction is because patients rarely experience side effects. When side effects to crop up, they are often minor such as neck pain, stiffness at the injection site, and temporary muscle weakness.
Many insurance providers will cover the expense of a Botox injection when it’s used to treat chronic migraines.
If this is something you believe cold help you manage migraines, contact us for more information. We always offer a free consultation and are happy to answer any questions you may have
