Botox results

I decided to give Botox a second try. The first time I did it was before it was FDA approved and the doctor didn't do full 23 shot regime.

So this time I went to a nuerologist who is trained in the procedure and very experienced with it. Results:
1 week later worst migraine I've had in years.
Second week. 1 regular migraine
Third week - migraines all week long

This is crazy. It's been no help at all really. I'd go through the pain of the shots again if it was helping, but it's really just as bad as befor if not worse. I'm going back to trying the Cefaly some more. That seemed to be at least partial help.

I am so sorry MG. This all sounds terribly disappointing. There seems to be such mixed results with Botox.
I must say I am quite confused, more confused then ever by your (poor) results.

I am booked for my first course of B next month, up to now I was quite open minded and prepared to give it a try, because in fighting M I have always tried to be positive and give various methods and chance. Some worked better then others, but I am glad I tried things suggested by various Drs, because I know that we all respond in different ways to the same treatments.

MY head has not been too bad this year until I had a problem tooth, about two month ago and this cause all sorts of problems, and now I am left with more persistent, if not high level M practically every day.

I would like to break this cycle, and thought B might do it. Now I will have to think a little more what to do.
MY Dr is a highly specialised M neurologist, and he has lots of B experience, but even then it all seems a bit of a lottery. Nobody knows how each of us might respond, even with the best Doctor imaginable.

I am so sorry that you did not draw more lucky "ticket" in this case. It seems so unfair.

On the lighter tone, did you have any "cosmetic" s/e with B, have you noticed any changes in your appearance as a result? I was often wondering about that.

Are you going to try B again for your M?

MG, sorry Botox didn't work well for you.  I'm getting psyched up for my 3rd round at the end of this month, even though the 2nd round didn't do much besides paralyze my eyebrow muscles on the right side.  My neuro told me up front that it's 50/50 chance of Botox working, and I did have some success with the 1st round, therefore, we're keeping on that track hoping to build on the mild success.

I did notice on the statement that the neuro had used more Botox (200 units) the second time than the first (156 units).

Overall, I haven't seen the advertised results of 9 extra migraine free days a month.  I haven't even reached the threshhold for the placebo, which is 7 more migraine days per month.

At any rate, I'm going to try it one more time and discuss with the neuro how long we keep doing this.  He has already told me that my only other option is a pain clinic, so I hope the Botox kicks in this round.

Wishing everyone a mig-free day.

Michele

Mini, I don't mean to be a bummer. It certainly may work for you. It worked for my brother, and many others. I'm just disappointed it didn't work for me. I had really been holding onto that as my last real hope. Bottom line, you just won't know till you try it.

Cosmetically I was very disappointed also. I figured it would be no change (as I don't have a wrinkled forehead), or maybe it would be a plus. Instead I looked much worse! It produced a kind of ridge across my eyebrows. I looked mean! My staff thought I was angry at them. And one eyebrow was higher than the other. Thank goodness I have bangs that kind of covered it. But yuck! It lasted about two weeks gradually declining in the second week.

it seems that many doctors have the same mistaken idea about botox:  that it works for everyone with migraines.  sooooo not true.  my ophthalmologist seemed mystified when she asked me about it, and i told her NO, it didn't work for me 5 different times.

my understanding is that it's more likely to work if a person has auras.  i have never had an aura, but do have a "prodome"; early warning of extreme and uncontrollable sleepiness.

in my botox adventures over many years, i have also had the sad effect of having the wrinkles in my forehead go somewhere (down) and i have looked lopsided and weird.  for the entire 3 months.  heck, i wouldn't have cared a bit, had it been successful.  dianne (age 74)

I'm so sorry it didn't work, Migrainegirl. But I'm wondering if Cefaly can work until after the Botox wears off? Cefaly stimulates the nerves to in turn relax the arteries, but Botox paralyzes the nerves, doesn't it? (I don't presume to know exactly how Botox works.) I was just wondering if you'd have to wait a few weeks for the Botox to wear off before Cefaly would work?

Lorente, good question. I stopped doing the Cefaly after I got the Botox shots for that reason.  But the weird freezing of my forehead and raised eyebrow went away after 2 weeks. It seems to be normal again.  

I have been able to do the Cefaly now no problem.  It feels the same as before. And it seems to be helping interrupt some of these bad migraines I've been getting. Perhaps that means the Botox only lasted 2 weeks?

I also did Botox before FDA approval and after. I didn't have any success with it and the second time with the higher dose I had a bad allergic reaction.

My doctor wants me to try the Botox again in another 6 weeks. He prescribed a heavy prednisone dosage over the next 2 weeks but I have been afraid to try it. Side effects anyone?

I'm still undecided on the Botox also. He said 65% respond the first time and 85% respond the second time. Remainder not at all. I'm seriously thinking of canceling round 2. I don't want to go through pain of shots and then the possible worsening of migraines again.