The FDA approved the use of Botox for migraine headaches just last October 15.
How will I know if I have chronic migraine?
You have chronic migraine if you experience headaches on most days of the month (at least 15 days each month).
The common symptom is intense pulsing or throbbing pain in an area of the head accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. (sidenote: The FDA recognizes that the condition is more common in women than in men.)
What will I experience during the treatment?
During treatment, the physician will inject Botox around the head and neck area. Injections will have to be repeated every 12 weeks for the continuous prevention of headaches.
Reminder: Make sure that your physician is familiar with using Botox for migraines, specifically. Remember that different muscles are treated for varying conditions and expertise in using the drug for 1 condition does not translate to expertise for the others.
Are there any side effects?
The most common complaints of patients who’ve had Botox injections for migraines are neck pain and headache. Note, though, that these are only temporary and they do go away.
What does this mean for me?
This may well be good news for you if you suffer from chronic migraines! You may be able to get your insurance to shoulder the cost of treatments like this. The Director of the FDA’s Division of Neurology Products considers chronic migraine as one of the most disabling forms of headache that greatly affects family, social and work life. Because of this, the FDA deemed it necessary to provide patients with options to address their condition – one of those being Botox.
Despite its only recent FDA approval, doctors have been using the drug off-label to treat this same condition. In case you’re worrying about safety, don’t! Numerous clinical studies have been conducted to test its efficacy and it won’t get the green light from the FDA if it wasn’t safe for use on humans. If you suffer from chronic migraines and would like to try Botox, be sure to consult your physician first.
via Medical Spa MD
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