Cervicogenic headaches, migraine & botox

[VivienneWestwoodsKnickers]

I have massive cervicogenic headaches several times a month, lasting days. I also have bog standard migraines.

Has anyone had botox for migraine or cervicogenic headaches?

Did it work for you? Where did they inject? How many jabs? NHS or private? If private, what did it cost? And of course, how bad was the pain? And did it work?

I've tried all sorts. Physio repeatedly, negative neck MRI scan, lots of acupuncture (started off with amazing results, then down to nothing), chiropractor diagnosed with scoliosis of upper spine (but treatment made it worse), osteopath (ongoing, mostly just love the neck massages), pilates (moved counties, no access to a studio any more), full DSE assessment at work with new chair, try to sit properly as I have poor posture.

Am considering paying for botox jabs.

All suggestions and advice gratefully received!

I was having therapeutic botox for something else, and when I was chatting to other people there, several had it for migraine and had massive success where all else failed. NHS clinic, and I'd imagine it would be vvv expensive privately as I was having just one muscle done, and it took 10x the amount of cosmetic botox

I have botox for migraine-a lot of which seems to come from neck. The protocol my hospital follows is 31 injections around head and neck every 12 weeks. It has really really helped -although I still take a preventative and have headaches most days-it has reduced severity-i had tried 6 preventatives with little effect. It hurts a bit. Annoyingly I now have to be reviewed and rereffered by neurologist before I can have it again as after 6 rounds they take you off it.

Interesting, thank you all. tangle it does like yours are exponentially worse then mine! I'm back on pizotifen this week, so I'm hoping this will help again.

31 jabs sounds hellish.....

It's honestly not that bad. The ones in the forehead hurt but I can hardly feel the ones round the back of my neck and shoulders and the needle is tiny. It's worth keeping a diary (which you might do anyway) in case you want to push for a referral.

I do indeed keep a diary - mostly to prove to the GP that they are not and have never been hormonal. Good idea, and one for others to consider.

How much would you say it's been effective

Not had Botox but I have taken Topiramate for cervicogenic headaches (mine originate in the neck and affect my arms) and also bog standard migraines.

Worked a treat. Has your neurologist mentioned it to you?

Sadly despite 23 years of migraine, I've never seen a neurologist. Is this normal? My migraine. My migraines have massively changed in presentation in that time including stroke symptoms and being taken offence the Pill.

Excuse typos. Stupid phone.

I've had 5 lots of Botox for migraines. It did help a lot but then my consultant retired and the one who took over didn't want me to attend there and a pain clinic, for my other conditions in another hospital.

My pain consultant suggested trigger point injections but wanted me to try acupuncture first. Luckily we've got a lady who does this in our village. I've been seeing her for about 16 months now. At first I went weekly, for 6 weeks, and I noticed a huge reduction in my migraines. Now I have maintenance appointments every 6-8 weeks. I've gone from having on average 18 migraines a month to 3 or 4. That's a better result than I had with the Botox.

I take preventatives, too. Atm I take Topiramate and Atenolol. I'm, also, on Amitriptyline, for my other conditions, but they use that as a preventative. I can't take any opiates at all. They trigger migraines for me and apparently that's common.

Topiramate for me was awful, caused intra occular pressure and ended up in A&E with suspected brain haemorrhage

I have Botox for migraines and I do think it helps but I still suffer terrible shoulder and neck pain resulting in headaches

Gosh, in that case, I would forget the Botox for now and get a neurologist referral. NHS referrals can take a while, but you will get to see one eventually. A private appointment is about £250 nowadays-once they've seen you, you can go on their NHS lists afterwards.

But 23 years? I'm shocked for you. You may want a new GP too.

Good luck, whatever you choose, I just hope you get some relief.

Not one GP has ever suggested a referral (moved counties 4 times). Should I think about this more?

Well I think so. I was referred really quickly-Within 6 months of first going to my GP. I'm agog that in 23 years it's never been suggested or offered.

I haven't had Botox for migraines, but my neurologist recommended taking magnesium and coenzyme q10 daily (in addition to triptans as and when needed, so long as not more than 15 out of 30 days). Taking the supplements has turned the symptoms down to the point where I can decide to take the prescription pills. Before I was too nauseous/disassociated/in pain to make that decision.

You have to research which type of magnesium is best.

I would say it's reduced migraines by about 50%, I also have vestibular migraine and it has help with that too. I also see a physio who pokes around my neck which really helps although I still have a constant head and neckache it's manageable. The physio does some kind of release thing as I get huge knots. I was on topirimate for 6 months but it didn't help v much. Gabapentin has been the most useful along with naproxen but they have only really helped since I have been having botox. You need to referred to a neurologist and I think you have to have trialled 4 preventatives before they will consider you for botox.

Am seeing the GP today, wish me luck!