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Botox against migraines

09/07/2022

Botox against migraines
About 3 months ago, Kieka came to SkinSensible for a botox treatment for migraines. Now she came back for a repeat treatment and describes below how important botox is for her fight against chronic headaches.

Kieka's story
Almost immediately after the treatment, I feel relief, this is due to the mere prodding in the muscles where there is often tension before and during my migraines.

Over the course of the week, the effect increases and I can already note 50% fewer moments in my "headache diary". The next 2.5 months are wonderful with an average of 1 day a week of headaches and 1 migraine attack that I had to take medication for. In comparison, without botox, this averages 4-5 times a week and definitely a migraine attack every week.

After 2.5 months, the headaches are already steadily increasing again and by the end of the 3-plus months, I am already at 3-4 headaches in the week with, unfortunately, another spicy migraine attack.

High time for relief, so I quickly make an appointment to treat my forehead, temples and frown again. This time, Dr Gamze Piskin does notice that my skin is much smoother compared to last time, which is a nice touch! Unfortunately, the headache eventually returns when the botox wears off, but who knows, maybe this is a harbinger for the next period and I will make it to the 4 months this time.

It works differently for everyone, migraine, tension headache, chronic headache it really can work for all types of headache diagnoses. And is definitely worth trying!

How does botulinum toxin work?
Botulinum toxin (best known as 'Botox') is a protein produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum. The primaite effect of botulinum toxin is a temporary blockage of the nerve-muscle connection, which lasts for about three to four months. Botox is especially popular for anti-wrinkle treatments, but has important medical applications against migraines, teeth grinding and excessive sweating. On theoretical grounds, it is assumed that botulinum toxin could break the sensitisation (vicious cycle) believed to be present in chronic migraineurs.

What do studies say?
There are different types of botulinum toxins and botulinum toxin-A (Botox®) is the form that has been scientifically studied in rats for the treatment of chronic migraine. Studies in humans show that after administering a pain stimulus, an injection of botulinum toxin reduces this pain for a longer period of time. These findings confirm the hypothesis that botulinum toxin can also reduce sensitisation. The result is a reduction in headaches in chronic migraine.

Several scientific studies with botulinum toxin treatments followed and also in forms of headache other than chronic migraine, such as tension headache or attack migraine. It turned out that treatment with botulinum toxin in an adequate dosage has a positive prophylactic effect only in chronic migraine.

An example of a scientific study is the PREEMPT study. The effect of botulinum toxin treatment was compared with a placebo in a so-called 'double-blind randomised placebo controlled' study. That showed that treatment with botulinum toxin can give a significant (more than 50%) reduction in headache days and that a conclusion about a positive effect can be drawn only after three botox treatments. Side effects are mostly mild and temporary.

Questions?
Do you have questions about botox treatment for migraines, teeth grinding or excessive .sweating? If so, please contact SkinSensible.

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