Botox for Migraine Prevention User Reviews (Page 5)

• Mol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2017

"I was diagnosed with status migrainosis in November 2016. I tried an SNRI antidepressant and have had two rounds of Botox. I can say neither has been effective. The only effect from Botox I've noticed has been the tight band around my head in the first dose of shots and then increased soreness in my neck and shoulders in the second lot. And I had to skip out of work yesterday because my eyeball and side of my head hurt so freakin' much - two weeks out from the second round of Botox treatment. I do not recommend. My migraines are likely hormonal in nature, and I have epilepsy. While that is controlled, it leaves me with few options. Loathe to try anticonvulsants as it might muck up my brain in worse ways. Yes, there are worse states to be in."

• ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2021

"My daughter had daily migraines with no relief for 7 months. Finally had the chance to do Botox, all shots were administered, with pain at injection sites. So excited about the opportunity since insurance did not want to cover originally, but headache turned into a horrible 1 1/2 week long migraine, and it never got better, only worse: weak neck could not hold the head up, pain in the neck, given a muscle relaxant, which caused heavy dizziness, fainting. Dry mouth followed, terrible nausea, feeling close to vomiting, insomnia, anxiety, fear of what is going on. When we talked to the neurologist, we were told it is not from the Botox, that no one ever had those reactions. Check with the GP doctor! :) Her face is hot, she has to have a fan on at all times. Tinnitus sounds like a fire drill going on 24/7, chills all over the body, and tremors. At wit's end since no pain medication seems to help, a different kind of head pain since the Botox. Do NOT do Botox unless you have read all information, life & death!"

• Wil...
• December 2, 2016

"I just had my fourth Botox injection for migraine. So far, it's helping. The migraines haven't been eliminated, but they've been reduced in number and severity, and there are more days between clusters of headache days. I STRONGLY recommend going to a headache specialist or neurologist for an evaluation before trying this. Botox works best for migraines that involve involuntary tightening of the tiny muscles in the forehead, temples, and along the 'migraine band' on the sides of the head. If those aren't contributing to a person's migraines, then Botox is unlikely to work. Be forewarned that getting needles stuck in your tender scalp does hurt, some days more than others. My neurologist prescribed a topical anesthetic cream for next time."

• Tam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 24, 2023

"I get this every three months for migraine prevention. I have severe allergies, and I was afraid to try this for the longest time, but I finally gave in as I was blowing through so many of the available meds. I wish I had tried it when my doctor first offered it. This has changed my life as nothing has since becoming a parent. I used to get migraines so frequently and badly that I was suicidal. I didn't know what it was like to not have a headache. Enter Botox injections. The daily headaches are gone. The migraines are down to one a week from at least two or three, with the pain level being 4-5/10 instead of 7/8-10. Now I only go to urgent care maybe every two months for the pain cocktail injections instead of every week. I will admit, the injections are pretty painful. There's something like 32 at each visit, every three months. But if you get the freezing spray, it makes it more bearable. The increase in quality of daily life makes the 15 min/4x year of pain worth it."

• Mee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 19, 2017

"Received my first set of injections 3 months ago. The first week felt like a migraine was going to come, but never formulated. Botox reduced my migraines from 23 headache days per month to 6 headache days per month. I was able to decrease my oral preventative, Topamax and Depakote (which I have several side effects from). Approximately 2.5 months in, the Botox wore off and migraines returned. Anxious to receive the next round and find some relief. It's a wonderful alternative to oral medication. Aside from some very mild soreness for a week, I have no side effects, even in my neck. It's the greatest preventative I've ever been on. Just make sure a neurologist gives you the injections."

• Sas...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 17, 2018

"Had migraines for 20 years and used Botox for about 11 times now. At first, seemed to really help but wore off after 2 months. Now I am having ear problems, dizziness, and severe pain on the side of the head and neck. I think I am going to stop Botox treatment."

• Anonymous
• November 23, 2016

"I had my third set of Botox 3 weeks ago. It has done wonders for my severe neuralgia and paroxysmal hemicrania. I had some side effects from the first two sets (3 months apart), but they went away after about 10-12 days, and I have been 90% pain-free. I was getting up to 9-12 attacks a day lasting about an hour each, and lost my job as a result. This last set has produced terrible side effects: headaches on my forehead (banding), severe shoulder pain, very puffy right eye, chronic skin rash on my back, occipital area of my neck, and upper arms. Large red welts that burn and itch. It has now been prevailing for over a week. I also have inflamed intercostal muscles, especially around my sternum, and it is incredibly painful."

• rip...
• December 16, 2016

"Getting 100 units in 9 shots on my head wasn't a lot of fun. But I haven't had a headache since. It's only been 4 days, but my neck was sore today, and I should have had a doozy of a headache. My eyelids drooped a little after the shots, but my wife didn't notice. I've got a good feeling about this. If I get through this weekend without pain, I'll be sold."

• Not...
• January 30, 2020

"I can’t take it a second time. I tolerated the pain from the Botox shots well. I have a younger look about me, at least from the cheekbones up. I don’t look like I match now. The slight rise in my eyebrows makes everyone ask if I’m mad. That’s not cool that I look kinda mad. It’s been really worrying me, wondering what happened to me until I started reading some of the comments here. I’ve got worsening anxiety and paranoia, feel nauseated, want to cry, and I’m so not myself. I just want to go to sleep and wake up feeling normal again! I’ve only felt the feeling of ice going through my veins from a toxic level of an antidepressant about 20 years ago, in which case a trip to the ER had to take place, and that’s how I found out what that was, but it was also including vomiting and diarrhea. Now I just feel like ice is going through different veins on and off, and I pretty much stay fatigued and nauseous. My headache has come back."

• Abb...
• January 26, 2018

"I have had migraines for 25 years. With treatment, I still average 10 per month. I'm in year 2 of Botox injections. The first injection knocked me down with severe flu-like symptoms, vomiting, and severe pain at every injection site. Horrible. Each round of injections brings different symptoms, which makes me believe the Botox itself is inconsistent. Last 2 rounds, I now have non-healing deep lesions between my eyes, continued areas of peeling that feel like burns, and a lot of painful facial neuralgias. My lips and chin are often numb. Also having peripheral neuropathy, which my doctor cannot determine a cause. My treatments are on hold until I see a dermatologist and my neurologist."

• Cas...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 12, 2018

"Before Botox, I would get around 17-23 migraines a month. Not headaches, but true migraines where you vomit and can’t function. The Botox shots worked great for preventing migraines and reducing pain. I went from 17 to 2 migraines a month, it was incredible! At first, it was the best thing that ever happened to me, but unfortunately, the crippling cost and intense side effect pain made me stop. It began positive and slowly grew into a big negative. The side effects from Botox were manageable, but after two years, they grew to be unbearable. I started getting intense, massive knots in my neck, jaw, and shoulders that weekly massages and muscle relaxers couldn’t alleviate. It became a terrible chronic pain, and because of the $1,500 out-of-pocket cost for 200 units every three months (with health insurance covering the rest), it just wasn’t a long-term option. We reduced the units, but the damage was done. If you're seriously considering Botox, try it for a year and see!"

• Tic...
• December 16, 2016

"I had used Botox injections for migraines, and they work. Not only is the Botox a temporary paralysis in the muscles, but in the nerve endings as well, and thus reduced and/or lessened pain. Then there are the added perks of smoothing lines in the face (as the face is the only place on the body where the muscles are attached to our skin, thus the temporary paralysis causes the wrinkles to dissipate)."

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 7, 2019

"I've been having Botox treatment for my migraines every 12 weeks for nearly 2 years, and they have improved my symptoms massively. I have suffered from debilitating hemiplegic migraines for just over 20 years, and despite being on most of the preventative drugs out there, I was getting attacks on average once a week, usually so bad that I would need hospital intervention. Since starting the Botox, I'm not saying it's magic, I still have attacks, but the frequency and severity when one does hit is so much lower, and I usually only start to have attacks around the time my next cycle of Botox is due. It has changed my life."

• ajt...
• June 18, 2021

"I get very painful tingling all over my entire body, and it's terrifying. I also have pretty bad headaches and speak like a stroke victim. One round, and I stopped having the painful paresthesia, and my headaches are better. I can also speak more clearly. The second round was fine too, and it's already helping on the second day, while the first took about two weeks. I am having some mild side effects that may scare some patients off: the left side of my face feels a bit numb, my throat is occasionally tight (breathing and swallowing not affected), my forehead feels kind of frozen. Are these side effects worth it? Yes. I get these feelings off and on anyway without the Botox, except for the frozen forehead. Anyway, I hope I can keep this up for many years, and while I seriously suggest looking into the warnings involving the use of ANY drug, I also encourage you to try Botox if you can. It's fantastic. And unlike triptans, it doesn't run the risk of cardiac problems. Good luck!"

• Cob...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 15, 2019

"Had tremendous results with a mix of Botox and medicines to reduce severe headache occurrences from 15+ headaches per month down to 8 or fewer. Incredible improvement. One scary drawback - noticeable frontal hair loss!"

• Low...
• June 9, 2019

"I had headaches/migraines most days of the month and finally got sent to a neurologist who started me on Botox treatment. Oh my gosh, it has been life-changing, I’m so thankful for these treatments!! I haven’t had any adverse side effects other than a stiff neck for a couple of days."

• Pai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2019

"My migraine was constant, lasting weeks at a time. I have only had one treatment with Botox, and it cut the intensity of the migraine considerably. I now can feel highs and lows, the lows being partial relief. Unfortunately, it is like the migraine moved into my jaw, neck, shoulders, and then down my spine in a flare-up. Holding my arms up while driving causes spasms that will rival the worst charley horse! A month in, and the neck pain is getting very slowly better. I have tried numerous muscle relaxants and creams to help, but nothing ever kicks it. I will try a second injection. I plan to discuss omitting or limiting the injections in my neck and back of the skull with my doctor to see if we can lessen the neck pain and still get relief."

• Tru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 31, 2019

"I developed tinnitus back at the end of June 2018. Along with it, sharp sound sensitivity. A couple of weeks later, chronic daily migraine. Had Botox treatment at the end of Dec. My daily migraines changed from aching, stabbing type to an electrical burning, numbing, pulsing type. Had my next Botox treatment on March 22, and my symptoms are worse. I now wake up with a migraine, where previously I had a few hours before onset. I also have an increase in tinnitus level, body aches, tired dry eyes, and overall body weakness. So disappointed. Don't know if I want to try a 3rd time."

• The...
• August 13, 2017

"Very excellent experience with relief from migraine upon waking, lasting up to thirteen days at a time. I have had no migraines after the Botox started working three days after injections. I do have neck soreness, which is lessening as the days go by. I am on my first round and will try it again in three months."

• Bro...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 16, 2018

"I’ve been getting Botox for two years now. My migraines used to be 15-18 a month, and now they are between 6-8 a month. I feel human again and not like they rule my life. However, since I started Botox, my neck hurts 100% of the time. Sometimes, so bad I can’t turn it to the left. Honestly, sometimes I know driving isn’t very safe since I can’t turn my head. That being said, for now, I’m happy with the results. I can’t raise my eyebrows anymore either, so my kids like to tease me :)"

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 20, 2018

"I’ve had migraines for 35 years, and they were getting progressively worse over the years, to the point where meds would work okay for a few hours and then another migraine would begin. I had at least 1 migraine a day, every day of the month for years. Then I began Botox injections... amazing and downright life-changing. Highly recommend."

• Xan...
• January 3, 2019

"I get the Botox injections for my cluster headaches and have informed my doctor (neurology) that I am satisfied with the results. I'm not having to tote around needles or pills just in case I get a cluster headache. I would agree the Botox for cluster headaches for me is a 5-star rating."

• Ken...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2022

"Botox worked pretty well for frontal headache pain during migraines, it took about 2-3 weeks since the first injection to take effect. It did pretty much nothing for all other symptoms of migraines: light sensitivity, dizziness, vertigo. Still, I'll take it. Getting rid of the pain helped a lot. Due for a second round of injections in a few days. I've heard it starts to work better after the second round. Note: word of advice. A lot of insurance companies will not cover Botox for migraines. If this is the case, then I highly recommend submitting a special authorization form signed by your neurologist. I had to argue with a couple of people and wait for 2 weeks. But I got approved and only paid $80 out of pocket. Total cost with administration fee was $850."

• FLg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2018

"Migraines started when I was 11 years old. I'm almost 42 now. I have 22 migraine days, on average, a month. Nausea, vomiting, etc. Had my first round of Botox injections 3 weeks ago...only 1 migraine since. Still waiting to see how it affects me long-term, but so far I'm pleased."

• Jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 6, 2021

"Did this for about 9 months. I thought it helped at first, but the migraines kept coming. Not totally convinced it failed, it could have been the doctor not having enough experience in injecting/placing the Botox."