Introduction
Those who suffer from migraines understand the debilitating pain they can cause. But for those who suffer from chronic migraine, the recurring pain can be frustrating and overwhelming.
That’s why many looking for relief have turned to Botox for chronic migraine. Despite its reputation as a treatment for cosmetic purposes, Botox has been given FDA approval for the treatment of chronic migraine.
In 1989, the treatment gained FDA approval for treating misaligned eyes and uncontrollable blinking.
Not long after, the drug gained popularity as a cosmetic treatment. However, patients reported fewer headaches after receiving their Botox injections.
This prompted further study, and in 2010, the FDA approved the Botox migraine treatment.
In this article, readers will learn how Botox works, a recommended treatment schedule, expectations, and access considerations.
What is a chronic migraine?
To meet the definition of chronic migraine, a patient must be experiencing headaches on 15 or more days per month for over three months, with at least 8 of those days featuring migraine-specific symptoms.
On the contrary, episodic migraines are intense headaches that occur less than 15 days out of the month, often with pain-free intervals between episodes.
Doctors usually recommend that patients meet the following qualifications for a Botox prescription:
- Headaches for at least 15 days out of the month
- Headaches last 4+ hours
- At least 8 of those days involve migraines
Patients must also have failed to respond to several other conventional medications approved for migraine prevention prior to trying Botox.
The Impact of Chronic Migraine
Sadly, some people who suffer from chronic migraine struggle to operate day-to-day. Some patients find their migraines extremely painful, making it difficult or near impossible to effectively complete their work. Some patients even find they have to limit their work hours or avoid work altogether when dealing with migraines.
Battling chronic migraine can deeply affect quality of life, making each day tough for those who suffer from migraines.
Why are Preventive Treatments Often Recommended?
When effective, preventative treatments reduce the number of headache days, leading to improved quality of life and even a reduction in medication overuse headaches.
Preventive treatments aim for at least a 50% reduction in headache days, with the goal of not only reducing the number of headache days but also helping reduce the frequency and the intensity of migraines, as well as enhancing acute treatment effectiveness.
What Is Botox and How Is It Used in Migraine Care?
Botox, or onabotulinumtoxinA, is a bacterium discovered in the late 1800s as the cause of severe food poisoning. Scientists studied the properties of the bacterium, looking to develop measures to help prevent or limit the muscle paralysis caused by the bacterium.
Originally discovered as a toxic bacterium in the late 1800s, Clostridium botulinum was studied by scientists for its ability to paralyze muscles in humans. In the 1970s, an ophthalmologist in San Francisco used it to treat strabismus, a condition in which certain eye muscles are overactive or overpowering other eye muscles, causing misalignment.
Then, in 1989, the FDA approved the treatment for both strabismus and blepharospasm, a condition where uncontrollable blinking occurs.
Soon after, the rights to the drug were acquired by a pharmaceutical company and renamed Botox.
Later on, in 2010, the FDA approved the treatment for chronic migraine, allowing it as a final step in battling the frequency and severity of chronic migraine.
The Difference Between Botox for Chronic Migraine and Botox for Cosmetic Use
While the active ingredient, botulinum toxin type A, is the same for both migraine treatment and cosmetic applications, the methods are different.
For migraine applications, the treatment is injected into 31 or more sites across the head and neck, with larger doses typically required.
Meanwhile, cosmetic applications often require fewer injection sites as well as lower dosages.
Why It’s Considered a Preventive Treatment
Botox for chronic migraine is considered a preventative, not acute, treatment due to its ability to block the chemical signals that trigger pain receptors. This reduces the frequency of attacks over time, but does not stop one in progress.
How Botox Works to Prevent Chronic Migraine
Current theories on how migraines occur attribute migraine pain to chemical compounds and hormones. Waves of activity in excitable brain cells may trigger chemicals such as serotonin to narrow blood vessels. When hormone levels such as serotonin or estrogen change, it can cause migraine headaches for some.
How does Botox work for migraines? During a migraine, certain nerves become highly active and transmit intense pain signals to the brain. Botox travels along these connected nerves toward the brainstem, blocking the release of chemicals that trigger pain.
Botox can also help calm overactive nerves, further helping stop the release of pain signals. When it does, it can help reduce the frequency or severity of migraines.
This migraine prevention treatment helps release muscle tension, lower nerve sensitivity, and can even build up effectiveness over time.
Botox Treatment Schedule for Chronic Migraine
Those looking for a Botox migraine treatment schedule may be wondering how often they must get Botox treatment for their migraines.
While patients must always consult with their doctors before implementing treatment protocols, the recommended dosing of Botox for chronic migraine is often injections in the head, neck, and shoulders every 12 weeks (or as recommended)
Doctors recommend staying consistent with treatments, as skipping or delaying sessions can lead to a return of migraine frequency and severity.
Overall, most doctors prescribe a total of 31 injections in 7 different sites. Those injections are done in the following areas:
- Back of your head
- Forehead
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Temples
Most treatments last 15 to 20 minutes, with patients free to drive themselves home afterwards.
What Patients Can Expect During and After Treatment
Most people describe a Botox injection as feeling a little pinch. The needles used are small, lowering the level of discomfort, though some people may be more sensitive to each injection than others.
After getting a Botox treatment, patients can expect to head home or to work afterwards without issue, though doctors recommend patients do not lie down for up to 4 hours after receiving their Botox injections.
Some side effects may occur. However, they often resolve in days to weeks. Some of the side effects include:
- Neck/pain stiffness
- Mild bruising, redness, or swelling at the injection sites
- Muscle weakness at or near the injection sites
- A temporary increase in headaches shortly after treatment
- Drooping eyelids or eyebrows
Rare, but serious risks may include:
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Vision changes (blurred or double vision)
- Severe muscle weakness or loss of bladder control
If side effects persist or are severe, then immediately consult a healthcare professional.
Botox Chronic Migraine Treatment Expectations
Patients who receive Botox to treat their chronic migraine condition should expect the treatment to reduce their frequency and severity of migraines as they consistently receive their Botox injections.
To achieve maximum effectiveness, it may take several sessions for the Botox treatments to build up. While some relief can be felt within 1-2 weeks of the first session, it can often take two to three treatment cycles to experience a powerful reduction in migraine frequency.
Effectiveness of Botox for Chronic Migraine
Does Botox help chronic migraine? Does Botox for chronic migraine produce significant results?
On average, patients see a reduction of 10 or so monthly headaches. But the percentage of patients who felt relief is what is most amazing.
Some studies show that
However, each patient is different, and the number of headaches, as well as severity, may change from person to person.
Cost, Insurance, and Access Challenges
Even though Botox for chronic migraine treatment could mean a dramatic increase in quality of life, some patients may be wondering about the cost of Botox for chronic migraine.
Others, who have insurance, may question whether their insurance covers Botox.
Some estimates suggest that Botox could cost anywhere from $300 to $600 per treatment when paying out-of-pocket. However, since Botox is FDA-approved as a treatment for chronic migraine, many insurance plans cover it or help reduce the cost.
Meanwhile, there are also discount programs, savings cards, and even patient assistance programs available to help patients who need financial help.
And these options are important.
After all, those dealing with frequent migraine headaches are already dealing with the stress and burden of trying to balance their life while handling intense pain and sensory sensitivity. Adding in financial burdens for treatment every 12 weeks can mean even more stress, worry, and struggle for a patient.
Those who don’t have the money to pay for consistent treatment may fall behind in getting consistent treatment. When treatment becomes inconsistent, the effectiveness of the Botox goes down.
Support Options for Managing Long-Term Migraine Treatment
That’s why migraine treatment assistance is so important.
Patients must maintain regular and consistent treatment to ensure the best opportunity for effective Botox treatment of chronic migraine.
One option that many patients across America use is the prescription assistance program.
Offered by the manufacturers to those who qualify, these programs provide brand-name medications at affordable rates. Not only that, but they’ll often ship your medication directly to your door or doctor’s office, depending on the type of medication being provided.
Sometimes, patients need help navigating the complex world of prescription assistance programs. That’s why organizations like Prescription Hope exist. By advocating on behalf of patients, Prescription Hope offers full service when it comes to prescription assistance program applications, updates, renewals, ordering, and account management.
Not only are programs like Prescription Hope affordable, but they also remove the stress and worry that come with struggling to afford your chronic migraine treatment.
Conclusion
Those dealing with chronic migraine are often looking for useful treatment and care. While options include various types of medications, Botox remains the final and possibly most powerful migraine prevention option.
However, patients must remember: just like any other treatment, results may vary from patient to patient, and Botox is not considered a cure for chronic migraine. Instead, it is referred to as chronic migraine management.
Be sure to discuss all of your chronic migraine preventative options with your healthcare provider, and ask questions about what might be available to you or make sense financially.
And if a prescription assistance program sounds like it may be a good way to stay on track with your Botox treatment, then check out options such as Prescription Hope to see how much you may be able to save.
