Botox relieves hemiplegic migraine.
Surprisingly, Botox appears to relieve hemiplegic migraines, according to a report by two neurologists from the Mayo Clinic.
They describe 5 female patients who suffered from very frequent and severe migraine headaches with four of them having chronic migraines, that is had headaches on 15 or more days each month. The headaches were preceded and/or accompanied by weakness of one side of their body. The weakness lasted only 20 minutes in one patients, but for hours and days in others. All five patients were first treated with prophylactic medications, which either did not help or caused unacceptable side effects. Botox injections were given every 3 months into the usual sites around the scalp, neck and shoulders. A total dose of 150 units was injected. Three of the patients had three sets of injections by the time of this report and they continued to respond well.
Migraine with typical visual auras has been reported to respond well to Botox injections, which is also somewhat surprising since Botox appears to work on the sensory nerves. This effect on sensory nerve endings leads to the relief of pain. It is likely that reducing painful episodes in turn leads to a calming effect on the brain in general and the brain stops generating migraines as well as symptoms associated with migraines.
I have also seen many patients with visual, sensory and motor aura respond well to Botox injections, often when prophylactic drugs had been ineffective.
Art credit: JulieMauskop.com
I have been suffering chronic headaches for years, all my treatments were aimed at my neck as they thought this was where the pain from was originating, l tried all things eventually gave up and just took anti inflammatory’s, panadol etc just to knock the edge of.
A serious head ache had me in an ambulance which took me to hospital where a series of tests, scans, ECG’s were run, various drugs were administered, originally a stroke was considered, tropical disease etc, all to no avail.
I was then diagnosed by a Neurologist as suffering from Migraine with Aura along with Hemiplegic Migraine. After 18 months of trials jumping from one drug to another exhausting all possibilities Botox was suggested as a last resort. Chronic Migraine required this treatment.
I have since had two treatments 12 weeks apart and I’m coming up to my third, the change has been life altering, brilliant. I’m not cured, they are still with me everyday but no where near as severe. Evenings I’m taking Entrip and Melatonin, Days are Procalm for my balance and Prednisolone for a few days if l have a bad attack. Best thing is l have my life back and l have my Neurologist to thank so much. Regards Steve from Australia.
Please share with us how well Botox works for you. It does take a few weeks after the treatment to see some results. If the first treatment is only mildly effective, it is worth repeating it since the next treatment could be more effective. Do not wait more than 3 months between treatments or you may lose the additive effect of subsequent treatments.
I have been suffering with these Hemiphlegic Migrained since 1988. Now in May, 2014, I am finally getting help. I am going to have the Botox injection June 18, 2014. I have all of the symtoms of this type of headache. I look forward to my injection and the results. I cannot take this pain and all of the symtoms any longer. This information about the Botox that you have put out has really helped me feel better. Thank you very much. Any advice you have will help me.