OnabotulinumtoxinA for Migraine Prevention User Reviews (Page 4)

• Cor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2019

"I tried Botox to rid myself of the 9 remaining migraines I'd get each month after Aimovig reduced my original 15/month. I'd tried several TCAs but couldn't tolerate the side effects; Topamax caused vomiting. Unfortunately, it's been almost 3 months since my first and only round of Botox injections, and my migraines have worsened in intensity and number. The first month I had 30 migraines--not even a 10-day course of prednisone decreased them. The second month I had 16, thanks to Aimovig and 100 mg Nefazodone (which I started because I couldn't use a daily triptan), but in this 3rd month, which isn't over yet, I've had 12 migraines in 13 days, and Aimovig hasn't made a dent this time. Obviously, I worry that my migraines and frequency are now worse because of the Botox, but I'm trying to be optimistic that this horrible change isn't permanent. I can't recommend Botox."

• Nev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2019

"I have new daily persistent headaches and have tried every med imaginable. 15 months ago, I gave Botox a try. Severe migraines for a week following, with the most debilitating neck/shoulder pain/weakness of my life. I really struggled, it was tremendous. Headaches did not improve, and I continue to experience neck pain. Just leaning over to tie my kids' shoes... I can only tolerate bending over for a minute now. This has become a neck chronic problem. My neurologist doesn’t take this side effect seriously either."

• Pea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 18, 2020

"Used Botox successfully for several years now for migraines. It cut the number of migraines I have each month in half, and the ones I do have tend to be less painful and don't last as long. It was really after the second set of Botox shots that I saw real pain reduction. The worst side effect I have is that the shots themselves give me a horrible headache. It's not a migraine, but it really hurts. For the headache caused by the Botox shots, I have tried a Toradol shot (didn't work) and steroids. Those help, but they do have side effects, so I try to only use them for one day. I also ice the sore areas and take Tylenol. One time my eyebrow looked a little arched (for about two months), so I told the PA and she altered the placement the next time. That worked. I also bring an ice pack to the appointment and put it on my forehead after the shots to cut down on bruising. Shots are very much worth it for the migraine reduction they provide."

• No...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 3, 2021

"Bad experience from botulinum toxin. Diffuse muscle weakness and cervical/shoulder pain. No effect on migraine intensity. Please, do not forget: Botox is the most powerful neurotoxin ever discovered. It has a modest effect in migraine relief. When you read Preempt study I and II, you’ll discover that Botox adds just 1.9 fewer days of migraine relief when compared to placebo. Too many side effects, too few beneficial effects. Botulinum toxin causes denervation of the muscles, and this may be irreversible. If you feel muscle weakness after Botox injection, ask your physician for an electroneuromyographic study. This will show the real effect of Botox in our body. Try to search the web using words like botulinum toxin - muscle weakness, botulinum toxin - muscle atrophy. You’ll find many cases of severe related side effects. It’s disgusting to see cases like those described here, so sorry to read about this."

• Dox...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 3, 2023

"I have 12-15 migraines per month, which have not improved with preventatives like amitriptyline or the CGRP inhibitors. After my first two rounds of Botox, 3 months apart, I had little relief from the migraines but no side effects. After the third round of Botox, I woke up a few hours after the treatment with severe, violent vertigo. Once upright, I was okay as long as I didn't move my head. At all. Had to miss a couple of days of work, and it eventually subsided to a tolerable degree (though today, 5 weeks later, I STILL have vertigo/room spinning when I lie down to sleep. Cannot do yoga, cannot swim, cannot go to the dentist, cannot get my haircut). The doctor does not think this was due to Botox. I think it was -- never had this before. Also, my neck is very weak and painful - that too never was an issue for me. And I still get all the migraines on top of that. I will not do Botox again."

• Bor...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 22, 2020

"I’ve been receiving Botox for migraines for almost 4 years now. My first neurologist was horrible, and it hurt so bad. My second neurologist was AMAZING at doing Botox, and though it still hurt, it was over quickly, and she was wonderful at distracting me. Before Botox, I was having 2-4 migraines a week, and oftentimes they’d put me in the ER. Twice I’ve had seizures from a migraine. I’d say the Botox has cut my migraines down by about 70%. It takes about a week or two to take effect and wears off usually around week 10. But those 8-9 weeks are totally worth it. It had been a huge change for my life."

• Mad...
• December 21, 2017

"I've had three rounds of Botox now for my migraines (around the scalp, forehead, and neck). The first two left me with little to no side effects. The third time has been horrible, I will NEVER do it again. I feel very confident in my neurologist, I don't believe she performed the injections differently - but upon leaving the appointment, I immediately broke down sobbing in my car because of the pain. I am now 17 days in, and I have had a headache every single day all day long. My eyes physically hurt to be open, and I am even more sensitive to light and sound than I ever have been with my common migraine. I've been given a prednisone burst, and it still hasn't helped. I'm worried that the next four months of my life are ruined."

• Ver...
• November 8, 2016

"Within six hours of receiving the injections, the side effects began to take control over my body. Every side effect mentioned, I had it, including the migraine headaches. The medications should wear off by the next three weeks. To date, I am still feeling the side effects. I would not recommend Botox for two reasons: 1. The medication does not freeze the nerve as stated. 2. It is extremely expensive. The pharmaceutical company should be sued!"

• So...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2015

"I have suffered from chronic migraines for years and have taken just about every preventative and rescue med on the market. I recently received the Botox injections and didn't realize there would be 31 of them. I have to tell you, the shots were absolutely not a big deal. It was over in about 5 mins or less. In all honesty, I don't know if I would have gone if I had known there would be 31, but again I am very glad that I did. It's only been 5 days, but I do not have any side effects listed by others, and while it would be great to get rid of the migraines altogether, if they would only lessen in frequency and intensity, I would be equally pleased."

• Mak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2015

"After suffering with daily migraines for almost every single day of every month for over two years, I was finally approved for Botox injections. I received 31 total injections, which did not hurt, with the exception of a pinching during a few of them. After 3 weeks, I was still suffering to the same degree, and now, 8 weeks later, there is zero improvement. I am glad it has helped many, but for me, there is no relief. I also had a cortisone injection in my C5 and C6 for degenerative disease and still no relief."

• Lis...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 7, 2016

"I have had chronic migraines for almost 20 years. Clusters that would go on for weeks at a time. I tried Botox, and I was very sore across my shoulders and neck for the first week and a half. My head felt so heavy. I didn't get a migraine for two weeks. I can't remember the last time I could say that. The decrease in severity is worth it. I have a skilled neurologist and am thrilled with him and Botox. P.S. didn't help with my wrinkles at all."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 16, 2019

"I've been getting Botox injections at my neurologist's office every 12 weeks for almost 2 years, and this has been a game changer for me. The constant pain isn't gone, but I was able to cut my daily medication dosage in half, and the more severe migraine episodes are far less frequent, so I rarely have to leave work early anymore. I have had chronic migraine for about nine years, and I wish I had tried Botox sooner - I was hesitant to try it because of the potential side effects that I had read about, but the only one I've experienced is increased neck pain for 2-3 weeks after receiving the injections (and this pain is still much better than the frequent severe migraine episodes that I was having before). If you're considering this, I would recommend giving it a try at a neurologist's office which has a long history of experience in giving Botox injections for chronic migraine."

• Nic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 24, 2017

"I could write a book on my experience with migraines and treatments I’ve tried (literally everything, no exaggeration). I’ve had migraines for 27 years, topping out about 4 years ago with 4-7 migraines a week - disabling pain. Two years ago, I started Botox injections, and it literally saved me. I’m now down to about 3-5 a month (so from 20/month to 1/week on average). I very rarely need to be out of work or miss events now. I know some have had bad side effects, but personally, mine are mild and, in comparison to the relief, totally worth it. I 100% agree you need a skilled Neuro who does these injections all the time. For me, because of Botox, I am finally feeling well and active in my life."

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2018

"My physician encouraged me to get BOTOX injections for migraines. Other medications have failed. I was left with 4 painful nodules at 4 injection sites and severe ptosis (drooping or falling of the upper eyelid), and it did not help my migraines. I would not recommend this at all."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2022

"After years of dealing with what I still believe to be severe tension headaches, but the doctors insist are migraines, I agreed to try Botox. The neurologist gave me 39 very painful injections. My “migraines” always come from my shoulder through my neck and behind my left eye. I wake up with the headaches. They don’t come on later in the day. I don’t have the major sound or light sensitivities. So, when I received these injections all over my face and the front of my scalp, plus a few at the base of my skull, I had little hope of success. I was right. Not only did I not have success, it made things worse by somehow causing headaches to shift to the right side of my head. The number of days with “migraines” increased. I know that the first round of Botox doesn’t always work, so I decided I would take a chance on a second. This was a huge mistake. I’ve run out of room right when I got to the worst experience of my life, sorry. Please weigh your options carefully."

• Lps...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2021

"2.5 years since my 151 injections of Botox for migraines. I have been extremely sick ever since. It destroys the vagus nerve. Always feel like I am having a heart attack and can't breathe. My new Dr. said it gave me GERD. I'm on meds for it, and I feel about 50% better. So sorry to hear about other stories of Botox. Knowledge is power, we need to stick together."

• rkb...
• May 15, 2023

"Botox was my last resort after everything else failed me. A week after my first treatment, I'm having nonstop headaches, shooting pains in my head, my neck and shoulders hurt more than ever, I have no energy, and I had nausea, dizziness, and stomach cramps. I wish I had never gotten this."

• moa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 7, 2018

"I had about five partial rounds of Botox. The first two helped me go from chronic to frequent episodic, then no benefit for three rounds all likely at 100. Took a break and HA worsened. Then I had a round from a well-known headache/pain clinic and found that I had not been getting standard protocol before. Got about half my normal headaches, so very happy. As that wore off, I went back to the clinic. A different doctor asked me where the headaches hurt and was trying to customize injections, and he also told me he was giving me extra--I assume that means 200 since before I had 150. Two days after that, I have had a migraine just about every day for the last ten days - I knew there were risks, but did not realize I could cause more migraines than I had before. Hope this is just the med waiting to kick in but very concerned."

• Nao...
• December 29, 2015

"I've been dealing with chronic migraine for about four years now. Just don't really know why I get them, honestly. But I do know that certain things trigger the migraines, like loud noises and severe temperature. Anyway, I did my first round of Botox injections about three weeks ago. My headaches are coming just about every day now. I'm thinking it's definitely the Botox that's kicked in because I work in a quiet area. The injections were fine. Just hoping round two works. But that is as far as I'll go. I quit meds about a year ago. They all failed to work after three to five months of use. I'm only 22. It is the most irritating, emotional, and aggravating thing I've ever had to deal with. Just wanted to know if anyone here does anything to help them?? Maybe exercise, meditation."

• mmm...
• June 17, 2017

"Life-changing! With Botox, my almost daily migraines are well-controlled for 2-1/2 months of the three-month treatment period. If I do get a migraine, most of the time ibuprofen is all I need. Before Botox, ibuprofen would do nothing."

• Re0...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2016

"I would suggest Botox treatment for migraine as the best choice. I had severe headaches, and the doctor, after diagnosing, said that it is because of migraine. Took too many capsules for instant relief. But I couldn't see any changes in my situation. Parents were very much worried regarding the high dose capsule intake. Cousin suggested me to go for a therapeutic Botox in Brampton. It brought wonderful changes to my life. Now I am totally free from my migraine problem."

• Muf...
• July 20, 2019

"I previously was having migraines 20 days per month. I was taking Imitrex and other medications, but none of those gave me the wonderful relief I get since I started Botox injections over a year ago. I started my first dose with a half dosage, but it didn't really help, so after 3 months, I did the full dose of 31 injections, and it surprisingly gave me relief up until time for my next appointment in 12 weeks. I still receive my 31 injections every 3 months, and my Botox appointment I won't ever cancel. The Botox injections work very well for me. I have not experienced any side effects. I am so happy to live without those awful, debilitating migraines I was suffering with. The medication I took before the Botox injections never gave me the lasting relief I experience now."

• Top...
• November 2, 2015

"I'm on my second Botox. After the first one, I had blurred vision and have to read with my reading glasses. Still have a migraine, but with Advil or Fioricet with a cup of coffee, migraine lasts between 1-5 hours. I was very happy not to have them for seventeen hours and be in a dark room. However, my second Botox didn't give me relief I was expecting. So now for the whole month, I have droopy eyes, constant neck and shoulder pain, and every day migraine. I am planning to go for my third shot because it helps with migraine, I can take other pain but not migraine pain."

• Mic...
• August 26, 2020

"I have chronic migraine with aura, and without treatment, I have 20+ migraines a month. I've tried a heap of other treatments, and nothing has ever helped as well as Botox. It usually reduces them by about half, and they are less painful. Medicare in my country will pay for it every 12 weeks, however, I find that the effect wears off at around 10 weeks. I get a lot of migraines during the gap. For a week or so after treatment, I still have bad migraines until it kicks in. I also get anxiety and body aches, heavy fatigue, kind of like I'm getting the flu. But after about 10 days, it starts to resolve reasonably quickly, and I have a much better quality of life. For me, it's worth it, even though there are a few bad weeks every 3 months. A few times, I've ended up with slightly uneven eyebrows, but nothing too obvious. I wouldn't want it done by a neurologist who wasn't skilled at it, though, as it won't work if it's not in the right spots and could be dangerous."

• JB ...
• October 4, 2015

"I have gotten Botox for migraines for three years now. The migraines went from every other day to one per month, the shots are not fun, but quick and worth it. I do have some drooping of both eyelids and occasional blurry vision that lasts about 30 min. I am on the lower dose-18 shots. I tried twice the dose one time, and my neck and back of head were tight and sore for a week. Went back to the lower dose."