Anyone paid privately for Botox for migraines - I’m at the end of my tether.

[sweetkitty]

I’ve been suffering migraines since I was 6yo. This week I’ve had a thumping headache from Tuesday which ended up turning into a migraine last night (took sumatriptan as well) after over 13 hours sleep I still have a sore thumping head, neck and feel sick and just grotty

I am utterly fed up with loosing days to migraines. I’ve been to see a specialist who told me to cut down on the sumatriptan and to take amitriptyline as a preventer. The side effects were awful )I was practically comatose)

I’ve had pizotifen, topiramate and propranolol as preventers. Nothing seems to work.

I’m at my wits end with the constant sore heads, back of my head and neck. Most nights after work I just curl up in a ball and fall asleep too.

Was thinking about going private and trying Botox??

[ElderAve]

I haven't but a colleague was absolutely struck down with regular migraine until she started botox for cosmetic reasons. She's never looked back and hasn't suffered at all since

[sweetkitty]

Thanks I’m willing to give anything a go right now (I’ve had a diath piercing as well). Maybe it could get rid of my wrinkles too (as a side effect)

[Daisy95]

Hi @sweetkitty I have Botox for migraines on the nhs, it has changed my life! I went from 24 migraine days a month to 3!! Honestly wouldn’t look back. Also it may be worth going to a chiropractor too? I do this in between the Botox and definitely helps keep my migraine days low. I had to miss a few appointments and my migraine days increased so between the two treatments it’s definitely helped! 😊

[Embracelife]

Dd was told there is 9 month wait on nhs for botox so maybe go private if you can.
Dd is trialling erenumab. The new anti cgrp med

[afrikat]

I am a year and 4 months into a chronic migraine (I have zero migraine free days) and after trying amitriptyline, propranolol, gabapentin, topiramate and candesartan plus all the alternative therapies you can shake a stick at, I saw a consultant the other day for botox and hopefully getting an appointment soon.
I am not actually sure you can get it done privately- I am under private neurologist care and they told me I had to get my GP to refer me for botox on NHS
If you can find a way to do it privately and can afford it I'd go for it. I waited 3 months for the initial appointment and god knows when the first botox will be

[isittimetogotobed]

I had botox for cosmetic reasons but a side effect has been an almost total end to the headaches I regularly had.
It can make your face ache the first tome you have it though.

[Lougle]

I have botox for migraine. I have it in my head and shoulders (30 injections). My shoulders always really ache after. I would say it reduces the severity, but not the frequency, of my migraines.

[Mummyoftwo91]

I'm interested in this, currently seeing a private neurologist as couldn't wait for nhs, Is there a specific method to the Botox? Does it have to go in certain areas? So you can't just go to anyone for it?

[sweetkitty]

That’s interesting about only getting your doctor to refer you, a quick google brought up private clinics advertising to do it. I’m always a bit skeptical but at £250 I’m willing to give it a go. I think it’s sheer desperation of always having a headache.

I’ve been to a chiropractor, osteopath and a physiotherapist specialising in myofascial release.

I also have fibromyalgia although like I said I’ve been having migraines since I was 6 long before the fibro diagnosis.

[Embracelife]

Each treatment involves 31 injections (5 Botox-A units per injection, for a total of 155 units). Areas injected include the bridge of the nose, the forehead, the temples, the back of the head, the neck, and the upper back (just above the shoulder blades).

[Embracelife]

americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/botox-suppression-chronic-migraine-commonly-asked-questionsh/

[Embracelife]

www.migrainetrust.org/living-with-migraine/treatments/botox/

[Embracelife]

At present the use of Botox® is restricted to a few specialist headache centres, but as time goes on there should be increasing numbers of trained injectors available. In all cases, however, you should ensure that the person injecting has received appropriate training, both in the diagnosis and management of chronic migraine, and in the delivery of Botox® according to the proven PREEMPT schedule.

[Embracelife]

Dont just go to a high street cosmetic botox clinic !!

[afrikat]

You're right sweetkitty there do seem to be some private options, I think its just that they don't seem to be offered by private neurologists via insurance. If you decide to go for it I'd be interested to hear how it goes