Are you suffering from chronic migraines and looking for a way to reduce the frequency and severity of your attacks? Botox injections may be the answer. Botox is a type of neurotoxin that blocks the release of chemicals involved in pain transmission, preventing the activation of pain networks in the brain. It is FDA-approved for chronic migraine and is covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. When it comes to getting Botox injections for migraines, it's important to find a doctor who is trained to give these injections.
You should ask potential doctors where they learned to administer Botox and how many times they have given it. The specialist will evaluate your history and symptoms to make sure that Botox is an appropriate treatment option for you. Botox injections are typically given in the forehead, temples, and back of the head and neck. In some cases, the specialist may inject areas called “trigger points” where the headache originates.
It takes time for Botox to take effect, so it may take up to the second or third treatment to maximize its effects. One treatment typically lasts 10 to 12 weeks, and patients have reported that two treatments with Botox reduced the number of headache days by approximately 50%. Before your insurance company approves Botox as a treatment for chronic migraine, you generally must have tried and failed to respond to two other preventive treatments. Some people notice an improvement in their quality of life with Botox even if they do not have a big reduction in headache days.
Although there is no confirmed case in which Botox spreads to other parts of the body, it is possible and could be fatal. Therefore, it's important to only receive this type of Botox treatment from a doctor who is trained to give these injections for chronic migraines instead of wrinkles or other cosmetic uses.
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