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Botox is a way to treat Migraine

2021-08-04 11:50:16

Dr. Fariba Azadikhah
Reviewed by:
Dr. Fariba Azadikhah


It's many years that doctors are using botulinum toxin as botox for different medical usages. However it is used mostly for aesthetic procedures like creating smooth foreheads without any wrinkles, it has medical usages for chronic conditions.
One of these medical usages is for chronic migraines. New researches have shown that treating chronic migraine headaches with onabotulinumtoxin A is effective, safe, and well-tolerated in the patient. A response rate of 65% is expected after 3 courses of treatment with onabotulinumtoxin A (Botox) in patients with chronic migraines.

What is Botox?
Botox is a kind of toxin which comes from bacteria that causes botulism(botulinum toxin). It is used for decreasing muscles contractions for nearly three months.
Although the number of shots and the distance between injections depends on the patient's condition, you'll probably get several shots of Botox around your head and neck once every 12 weeks to dull or prevent migraine headaches. You may need 30 to 40 injections in all, and you'll get an equal number on each side of your head. If you have migraine pain in one particular spot, you may need more shots in that particular region.

What Type of Headache Responds Best to Botox?
First of all, you must know that chronic migraines are the type of headaches that last 15 or more days in a month. In these cases, one of the treatment choices is Botox injections. Botox injections are not recommended for patients who experience fewer than 15 headache days a month.


How Does Botox Work?
Botox is injected near pain fibers which cause headaches. Botox affects nerve endings and prevents releasing chemicals neurotransmitters involved in pain transmission. Botox prevents the activation of pain networks in the brain.
Because of it, experts say Botox injections can prevent chronic migraine headaches.
The first treatment lasts for at least 10-12 weeks, and patients reported that two procedures of Botox treatments reduced the number of migraine headaches by approximately 50%.

Who Uses Botox?
Botox injections are not allowed in all ages. According to FDA, Botox treatment is suitable for patients with chronic migraine headaches who are 18 or over. Botox injections are off-label, which means that however doctors prescribe them, insurances don't cover the costs mostly (some insurances cover the costs of medical usages).

Finding a Doctor Who Treats Migraine with Botox
Botox injections for chronic migraine headaches are completely different from cosmetic injections and you have to find a headache specialist or neurologist. It's better to find out a specialist who has experienced Botox injections many times. Ask your doctor about your treatment procedures like the areas of injections and number of injections.

What is Treatment Like?
Your first treatment session takes about twenty minutes. Your doctor uses very thin needles that feel like a pinprick. Small amounts of Botox will be injected into your muscles. Each time the doctor will inject a toxin into seven key areas of your head and neck.
Patients mostly experience a side effect from the Botox shots which is a sore neck, and doctors recommend using an ice pack to reduce the discomfort. You feel your desired goals after 6 months.
In the meantime, you can continue your regular medications for chronic migraines with no risk of drug interaction.
After injections you should try not to sleep on the treated areas this will help to minimize pressure on that areas and let the Botox settle into your muscles.

Common side effects of Botox for migraine include:
• redness, soreness, or swelling at the injection site
• bruising
• chills
• fatigue
• dry mouth
• neck stiffness
• allergic reactions
• rash
• itching
• headache
• neck or back pain
• muscle stiffness
• difficulty swallowing
• shortness of breath
The most common side effect is increased headache pain following days after injection. In this case, you have to contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Long Term Side Effects:
Facial pain and muscle weakness are some of the long-term side effects which might make eyelids droop and cause the vision to become double. These side effects disappear after continued use. Although FDA approved, Botox injections like all other cosmetic procedures do not come without side effects but most of the side effects disappear after some days. Injections of botulinum toxin type A in the forehead have never been reported to cause hair side effects.

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