Botox for Migraines in Newton & Brighton, MA

The aftercare instructions for Botox migraine treatment are similar to those advised for cosmetic injections. You should avoid strenuous activity and excessive heat for 24 to 48 hours. 

You also must not lie down for four hours after your appointment. This can be challenging in some cases because there is a slight chance that Botox injections for migraines might incite headache pain. If this occurs, take your normal medication and rest while sitting up. You want to avoid pressing on any part of the head in which injections were administered. Doing so could cause discomfort and also move the Botox away from the intended treatment area.

Botox injections can be uncomfortable when used for migraines. The dentist may begin your treatment by applying a numbing medication to the injection area. However, this might be difficult on the scalp. If you are concerned about your injections being painful, talk to your provider about ways that your comfort will be managed. Typically, injections feel like a slight pinch that lasts just a moment.

Botox injections can cause temporary redness, swelling, and discomfort at injection sites. Areas of your head and neck may be tender to the touch. When used to treat migraines, Botox might stimulate head pain or stiffness and soreness of the neck. You may experience drooping of an eyelid, though this is a less common side effect. Your eyes may also water or feel unusually dry, and you may feel as though your vision is blurry. 

Finally, you may feel somewhat fatigued, similar to having the flu, for a day or two after your treatment. If you are seeing us for your first Botox migraine treatment, it may be beneficial to schedule your appointment when you can take one to two days off work and other obligations.

Serious complications from Botox injections are very rare. Side effects such as difficulty swallowing or respiratory distress may occur if you have an allergic reaction to the drug. Your provider will discuss the risks associated with Botox injections and what to do if you experience signs of allergic reaction.

While it is possible that results will vary from one person to another, the effects of Botox for migraines are expected to last three to four months. Treatment guidelines recommend four sessions per year to maintain ongoing effects.

The treatment for migraines is pretty standard, set to approximately 30 injections spaced evenly around the head and neck. The frequency of treatment, as well, is standardized to every three to four months. Some people notice a decrease in their headaches starting two to four weeks after their first round of Botox injections. However, this is not consistent across all cases. 

You may experience a reduction in headaches after your first Botox session, but there is also a chance that your results won't develop until your second appointment, scheduled three months after your first. Not getting results after your initial visit does not mean that Botox won't work for you. It is beneficial to receive at least two rounds of injections before evaluating your outcome.

It's difficult to predict the extent to which chronic headaches may improve after receiving Botox injections. After your treatment, you may find that your headaches are less intense, less frequent, or both. You may still need to use medication sometimes, but at a lower dose. 

Although it's becoming more commonplace to use Botox to treat chronic headaches, more time is needed to better anticipate how this FDA-approved drug may affect different people. According to some studies, patients experience at least a 50 percent improvement in the severity of headache pain after targeted Botox injections. Patients gained at least two more pain-free days a month after undergoing this treatment.

As effective as Botox is at reducing the intensity of muscle contractions, that doesn't mean that all headaches will respond to this treatment. Most commonly, Botox injections are considered for the treatment of chronic tension headaches and migraines. 

Headaches that are attributed to sinus problems may not be eased with a few injections. Signs that headaches are caused by a potential sinus problem include pain behind the ears, between the eyes, behind the cheekbones, or on top of the head. Signs that your headaches might respond to Botox injections include having vice-like pain, a sensation of squeezing around the head, and pain that originates or extends down the back of the neck. Botox may also work well for headaches that are localized or originate across the forehead.

It isn't quite enough to experience frequent headaches to be a candidate for Botox headache treatment. Your doctor or Dr. Bidabadi may recommend trying Botox injections if you meet the following criteria:

• You experience headache pain 15 or more days out of the month.
• Your headaches have been ongoing for more than six months.
• You have tried other headache treatments, including prescription medications, with no significant improvement.

Chronic headaches can be caused by a number of factors. Your doctor will want to explore the potential cause of your chronic headaches before suggesting Botox injections as a suitable treatment option.

The FDA has approved Botox as a headache treatment. The therapeutic dosage is significantly higher than cosmetic Botox injections, which increases the cost of care. Because it's FDA-approved, Botox headache treatment is currently covered by Medicare and Medicaid. This means that other private insurance providers may also extend benefits for this treatment. 

Before seeking Botox headache treatment, talk to your medical insurance company about their policies. In most cases, it's necessary to provide extensive documentation proving you've sought other treatments and medications and that those therapies have failed to achieve results.