Migraines and Botox......

[deltawab]

Okay so at the moment, i've been seeing a GP at the Migraine and Headache Clinic in Sheffield for the last 2 years.

He has to date put me on Topiramate (which helped somewhat) and tried me on at least 3 or 4 other 'high blood pressure/beta blocker' tablets which didn't work. I am on on some Estradiol patches, which seemed to help last month. He has now given me another prescription for some 'hypertension' tablets to try, Verapamil. I get around 20-30 headaches a month. Sometimes they are really really bad, that i have to take Naratriptan, Ibuprofen, Paracetamol and Codine to get it shifted, otherwise an Ibuprofen & paracetamol will be suffice.

The GP that i see at the Clinic mentioned about Botox last year and said they had funding for around 20 patients and that i would be a suitable candidate. I have asked him at every appt, even seen an empty Botox bottle on his desk & all he says is 'They are still deciding' and that's it.

I wondered if there is anyone that has actually had Botox as a form of treatment for Headaches/Migraines on the NHS?

I'm just getting a little frustrated at trying to find a cure or some sort of pain relief that doesn't result in rebound headaches themselves. :(

A little bump.....anyone? not just in Sheffield, but anywhere? i'm just curious to know if anyone has been treated with botox for migraines. It just feels like i'm getting no where fast at the moment and after about 15+years with this 'condition' i am ready to bang fists on tables and declare enough is enough! Ironically although the reason i cannot take the pill because of the migraines,i'm now wondering if, since 7 years ago since i was last tried it, maybe there is something new to the pill that may help, if my migraines are hormone related, as sometimes,i can pinpoint them to be the worst the week AFTER my period.

Hi, I've just joined and seen your message about botox. You may well have have botox treatment for your migraines now but in case you haven't here's my experience. Am now 50 yrs old and had migraines since a child. My doctor agrees that we have tried ALL medication for my migraines, been to see a neurologist, been admitted to hospital for tests (MRI etc) to no avail. Also, under my own steam (cost!) been to see a herbalist, had reflexology, even been to a faith healer! Still no luck. I currently use propranolol and amtripytline with imigran injections/tablets as and when necessary. However, my doctor is absolutely fantastic as his wife suffers from migraine also. He has also given me acupuncture too. About 2 yrs ago he obtained PCT permission to try me with botox. At that time, as it had not received NICE approval, he was only able to give me botox in my forehead and temples. Unfortunately, this did not work. However, recently as NICE approved botox for migraines he wanted to try it again as this time he would be able to give about 30 injections as recommended by NICE. Had this done mid July and for the last 4 weeks I have been so much better. A couple of migraines and hardly any headaches either. I feel so much better as I'm not taking so many painkillers and imigran. I have another session booked for mid October and am hoping that this continues. If it does, the next step is to reduce my daily preventative meds as I'm on max migraine-recommended dose for those at present. I would thoroughly recommend you have botox - you've got nothing to lose and everything to gain if it works. Good luck.