BOTOX for Migraines: Could It Help You?

BOTOX is a highly popular injectable that diminishes or erases fine lines and wrinkles. But this injectable has medical uses too. If you have chronic migraines, BOTOX injections could help reduce both the severity and the frequency of migraine headaches. Check out this BOTOX explainer to find out where BOTOX is injected for migraines and other essential information.

I Have Chronic Migraines. How Can BOTOX Help?

BOTOX injections for migraine treatment can reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. It can also mean that if you do have a migraine, the headache pain is less severe. Some people who have BOTOX for migraines even find that their headaches go away altogether.

If you suffer from chronic migraines, BOTOX can:

• Reduce the frequency of migraine attacks, meaning fewer headache days each month
• Reduce the severity of migraine pain, making migraines less debilitating
• Reduce other migraine symptoms such as nausea and light sensitivity
• Improve your overall quality of life

How Does BOTOX Work to Treat Migraines?

BOTOX is an injectable form of botulinum toxin A, a bacteria-derived molecule that acts on nerves and paralyzes them. When a nerve is affected by the toxin, the muscle it controls is paralyzed too. This has made BOTOX highly popular as a means of diminishing fine lines and wrinkles. It also makes BOTOX an effective migraine treatment.

To treat chronic migraines, BOTOX is injected into muscles around the head, face, and neck. Nearby nerve cells take up the toxin, and when those nerves are affected by BOTOX, they stop transmitting migraine pain signals to the brain. Medical science hasn’t yet determined exactly how this works, but it does work!

Who Is Eligible to Have BOTOX for Migraine Treatment?

BOTOX is FDA-approved as a preventative treatment for adults with chronic migraines. This means that to be eligible, you must be over 18 and have migraines on 15 or more days every month.

Is it Safe to Have BOTOX During Pregnancy?

BOTOX treatment is safe for most adults, but the safety of the toxin in pregnancy is unknown. Therefore, BOTOX isn’t recommended if you are pregnant or may become pregnant in the three months after having treatment.

How Should I Prepare for BOTOX Treatment?

Most people don’t need to do anything special to prepare to get BOTOX injections. But it’s still important to tell your BOTOX practitioner about your health status. This includes any medical conditions you have and medications you take.

If you’re on blood thinning medications, talk to your doctor for advice about how to proceed before having BOTOX treatment. Depending on your situation, they may recommend you stop taking the blood thinners for a day or two before a treatment session.

What to Expect When You Have BOTOX for Migraines Treatment

Just like for cosmetic treatments, BOTOX for migraines involves a short and minimally invasive treatment session. Each session consists of at least 31 individual injections of BOTOX in locations on the neck, head, and face. If you have known migraine trigger points, your treatment may include a small number of extra injections at those sites, for a total of up to 39 injections.

Most people feel only a slight stinging sensation with each injection. Some practitioners apply a topical numbing medication to treatment areas, to minimize these sensations.

A single treatment session takes around 15 minutes. There’s no downtime after treatment, and it’s safe to drive and take part in most activities. It’s recommended to avoid strenuous exercise and sun exposure. This limits the potential for skin irritation and helps prevent the toxin from spreading outside the treatment areas.

Where Is BOTOX Injected for Migraines?

BOTOX treatment for migraines involves a series of 31 to 39 injections in the following locations:

• Forehead
• Sides of the head, above the ears
• Tops of shoulders

How Long Before I See Results?

It can take up to four weeks for BOTOX injections to take effect. Some people may notice a difference after a week or two, while for others it may take three or four weeks.

While most people see some improvement after their first session, some need to have two or three sessions before they start to feel results. Because of this, the American Headache Society recommends that patients have at least two or three sessions, even if they don’t see results the first time.

How Long Do the Results of Treatment Last?

The results of BOTOX for migraines typically last 10 to 12 weeks. The American Headache Society recommends treatments every 12 weeks to maintain results.

There’s no benefit to having treatment more frequently than 12 weeks. And in fact, it’s not recommended to have treatments more frequently than this. This is because there’s a risk that having treatments too often can result in tolerance, making BOTOX treatment less effective.

How Do I Know If BOTOX Will Work for My Migraines?

Most people who have BOTOX for migraines do get some relief from this treatment, but it’s not possible to predict in advance how well it will work for you.

Overall, most people who have BOTOX treatments have fewer headache days and an improved quality of life. In addition, many people find that their results are cumulative over the first year of treatment, meaning their response to the treatment improves with each session.

Chart Your Progress with a Migraine Journal

It can be helpful to start a migraine journal before having BOTOX treatments. Use the journal prior to starting, and record notes on the frequency and severity of your migraines, along with any other symptoms such as nausea or light sensitivity. Once you start BOTOX, you’ll have an accurate record of how your symptoms change over time, in response to treatment.

What Are the Side Effects of BOTOX for Migraines?

Most people tolerate this migraine treatment easily, with few side effects. The most common side effects of BOTOX for migraines include:

• Neck pain (9%)
• Headaches (5%)
• Ptosis (drooping eyelids) (4%)
• Muscle pains (3%)
• Facial muscle spasms or paralysis (2%)

All of the above side effects are temporary and wear off within a few days or a week after treatment.

A long-term side effect of BOTOX for migraines is that because the treatment protocol includes forehead injections, your forehead muscles are paralyzed. This means that when you have this migraine treatment, you may be unable to wrinkle your forehead. This side effect tends to linger until the anti-headache effect wears off, meaning it’s a more-or-less permanent side effect for as long as you have treatments.

Other Risks and Complications of BOTOX

BOTOX has some potentially dangerous side effects and complications. These are rare. They include:

• Difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, or difficulty breathing
• Vision problems
• Muscle weakness
• Bladder incontinence

If you have any of the above symptoms after BOTOX treatment, call your doctor for advice.

Allergic Reaction to BOTOX

BOTOX allergy is rare, but the risk does exist that an allergic reaction can be triggered in response to this treatment. Allergy symptoms can include:

• Hives, swelling, or itching at injection sites
• Dizziness, wheezing, or difficulty breathing

If you have any allergy symptoms after BOTOX treatment, seek emergency medical care.

What Is the Cost of BOTOX for Migraines Treatment?

The cost of BOTOX at Savannah Plastic Surgery at the time of writing is $11 per unit. For migraine treatment, the standard protocol involves 31 to 39 injections in each treatment session. This means that each migraine treatment session you have includes a BOTOX cost of approximately $341 to $429.

Does Insurance Cover the Cost of BOTOX for Migraines?

Most insurance companies offer at least partial coverage for the cost of BOTOX treatment for preventing headaches in adults. But it’s important to check specific eligibility criteria with your insurance company and make sure you meet any requirements.

Some eligibility criteria may include:

• Persistent migraine headaches, with a minimum number of headache days per month
• Official diagnosis of chronic migraines or chronic headaches from your primary care doctor
• Trying out other treatment options such as medication and lifestyle changes

The exact criteria vary, so it’s best to ask your insurance provider to confirm your eligibility in writing before treatment.

Interested In BOTOX for Migraines? Contact Savannah Plastic Surgery to Learn More

Living with migraines can be incredibly difficult. BOTOX is a safe and effective treatment for chronic headaches. If it works for you, it could give you a new lease on life, as you enjoy better symptom control and fewer headache days every month. To learn more about BOTOX treatment for preventing headaches, contact Savannah Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation.