Botox For Migraine Headache

Botox for migraine headache is one of the newer advances to come along within the last five years. Many people are familiar with Botox and usually the first question I get is..can you get rid of my wrinkles too??

Well..yes and no. Wrinkles in forhead, yes, around the eyes, you have to see the plastic surgeon for that one!

Botox for migraine headache is a form of botulism toxin that is extremely diluted. The injections are given in small amounts and placed just under the skin, near the nerves that cause pain.

It also causes paralysis of the muscles in the area and is sometimes used for neck spasms known as dystonias, torticollis or "wry neck".

I should note that if you are in the upstate New York area, we are also doing Botox for migraine at The Dent Headache Center.

botox for migraine headache

The picture above approximates where the injections are placed (in the green circles) and they are always placed on both sides of the head, no matter on which side your headaches are frequent.

After all, you would look pretty funny with lines on one side of your forehead and not the other, right?

Injections are not placed past the midline of the eyebrow as that would paralyze the eyebrow (for a few months) and you would not be able to raise them. (There goes that look of surprise!)

Side effects include irritation at the injection site which may last a few days, and a minute amount of blood at the injection site. If given in the neck, weakness of neck muscles may be noticed but it is usually not severe. The sucess rate with Botox for migraine has been reported to be as high as 75%, but clinically we see about a 50-60% success rate.

Injections are given every 2-4 months depending on the patient and how soon the first set begins to wear off.

Botox does not cure headaches or a migraine cure! Like many other medications for headache, Botox offers another medium for headache management. If sucessful, Botox allows may allow you to reduce, and perhaps eliminate, your other headache medications.

As of the fall of 2008, three studies have indicated that Botox for migraine headache can reduce the frequency and severity of chronic migraines. Allergan, the makers of Botox, is going to petition the FDA in the spring of 2009 to get the indication for use in headache.

The link below is to one of the headache centers specializing in Botox and research in Botox and headaches.

Dr. Troost and Botox for migraine headache