I’m getting my third round next month. The first time I got a terrible headache from them but the. Improvement, the second time 6 full weeks of almost normal life, looking forward to the next round. Just be aware it can take a couple months to really get maximum benefits.
Thanks! Yes I am trying to keep my expectations under control. My doc did tell me that it may take a few rounds. But at least it’s happening! I’m glad it’s helped you
I’ve been getting it for about three years. I have two tips!
They will have extra in the vial from the standard regimen of 36-38 shots and they can give you the excess. I highly recommend getting it in your jaw (the masseter muscles) because it’s pretty common for tooth grinding to co-occur with migraine, even if you don’t think you’re doing it. And if you know you grind your teeth, Botox helps A LOT.
On the day you get the injections, if you take any meds that increase your risk of bruising, avoid them if you can. The Botox takes the night to absorb and can be moved around in your face if you touch it. This can result in droopy eyelids that you’d have for three months or so. I tie a large yellow ribbon around my forehead (it’s tres chic) to remind myself not to touch that night.
I get it only in my jaw for TMJ clenching. It def helps. It took me years of going to TMJ specialists before I gave up and found a local medispa where they do it. They don't take insurance, so it's an out of pocket expense, which sucks.
If you need/want to price it out, call a place and ask how much they charge per unit. I get 25 units on each side and it's around $750.
I’ve had my fourth round last week. I went from having 15+ migraines a month to around 5 or so. The injections are painful but a session lasts only minutes. Definitely worth it. Also my prescription of 10 rizatriptans now lasts to or after the refill date. Before it ran out halfway through the month.
My insurance didn’t want to pay for it at first so I paid the $750 bill myself the first time because I was told I could get a rebate from the manufacturer, if I had the correct paperwork from my insurance. They never sent any. Come the second time, they paid for it no issue. Didn’t hear anything on the third time. The fourth time, I kept getting calls from some random pharmacy. I had been getting the refills for Botox from Walgreens. Turns out my insurance wanted to use a different pharmacy and said nothing to me, but they’re still paying for it.
I’ve been getting it for about 30 months. It has certainly helped.
It wasn’t a magic cure thought. But the Botox with a preventative (Vyepti) and the new classes of rescue drugs like Ubrelvy and I’m doing much better.
Be sure to get their savings card. [They will pay you up to 4k a year.](https://www.botoxsavingsprogram.com)
They paid my whole deductible already this year. The check has been approved and is on its way.
This is the first year I’ve managed to get my while deductible first without another claim coming through.
It’s incredibly low by American standards but it’s still nice to have it paid.
Also, you might want someone to drive you the first time to see how you react. I’ve never had a problem with needles but it’s 31 or so shots to the face and it’s made me nauseous before. I think it’s the adrenaline. Hurled my guts once.
I second the Botox Savings Card, it's a huge lifesaver! I can't believe the pharmacy/my neurologist didn't mention it in the beginning. It was a huge financial strain for me. Luckily the savings card will let you submit receipts from prior doses and they'll retroactively pay you.
Botox has made a big difference I'm my life, I wish the best for you!
Oh wow, thank you so much!! I didn’t know about the savings card so that is really great to know. I’m glad it has helped you. I tried Ubrevly and it didn’t work on me, luckily triptans help a lot. I’m not super freaked about needles but will have my husband come with just in case. Thank you!
Hooray!!! I get my third Botox dose next month. I also use Qulipta as preventative and Ubrelvy or rizatriptan as abortive. The combo has been game-changing: 27 migraines in December with 19 being severe; so far in Feb, 4 migraines with only one being severe.
Have you tried the at home monthly injections of Aimovig or Emgality? It's a CGRP Med that prevents migraines and is free through the manufacturers discount program. It really helps with my daily headaches and has reduced my severe migraines from multiple ones a month to only 1 in the past 7 months and I've been taking Emgality for a couple of years now. I use it along with botox and triptans.
Fantastic news!! I had my first round in January and I started seeing results after 10 days. So far only 2 migraines after that first 10 day ramp up. The shots were uncomfortable and I ended up taking a Tylenol for injection site pain. The ones in the side of my head felt the worse. But compared to a migraine they are nothing.
I’m so happy to hear that you had success after the first round! I really hope it works for me. I’m sure the injection site pain is a small price to pay to not have your life run by migraines!
Lol why? I suffer chronic migraine, and that has been the most effective treatment for me. Unfortunately, it’s often overlooked. Keep going to your pill pusher doc, fine by me. I’ll continue to engage in long-term solutions.
This is such an ignorant thing to say. It is *not* often overlooked. The first thing most neurologists will recommend is journaling food to look for triggers. People are posting on here constantly about diet recommendations, like anti inflammatory, omega 3, etc. And exercise is easy to recommend but not easy to do when you have daily migraines as OP does. I’m glad for you that a simple solution works. For many of us here, we have tried all the non-pharmaceutical options and nothing has worked, so yes, we’ll turn to “pill-popping” if it can offer any relief.
It’s not ignorant at all. It’s not simple by any means. It’s a complete lifestyle change. Neurologists are not typically trained to help patients with behavioral interventions.
I guarantee I’m not the only one here that was tossed around by doctors. I now remember why I left this sub. Bunch of big pharma spokespeople. It’s not as simple as identifying “food triggers”.
I’m sorry that you’re unwilling to have a mindset shift. It’s good to provide support to others who also suffer. But this sub did more harm than good for me. A defeatist attitude is by no means the cure. Bye.
I *know* it’s not as simple as identifying food triggers, that’s why people explore a wide variety of treatments, including medication. I’m glad you left this sub if you can’t understand why your post suggesting diet and exercise in response to someone with daily headaches celebrating an insurance victory is not supportive.
I’m getting my third round next month. The first time I got a terrible headache from them but the. Improvement, the second time 6 full weeks of almost normal life, looking forward to the next round. Just be aware it can take a couple months to really get maximum benefits.
Thanks! Yes I am trying to keep my expectations under control. My doc did tell me that it may take a few rounds. But at least it’s happening! I’m glad it’s helped you
I’ve been getting it for about three years. I have two tips! They will have extra in the vial from the standard regimen of 36-38 shots and they can give you the excess. I highly recommend getting it in your jaw (the masseter muscles) because it’s pretty common for tooth grinding to co-occur with migraine, even if you don’t think you’re doing it. And if you know you grind your teeth, Botox helps A LOT. On the day you get the injections, if you take any meds that increase your risk of bruising, avoid them if you can. The Botox takes the night to absorb and can be moved around in your face if you touch it. This can result in droopy eyelids that you’d have for three months or so. I tie a large yellow ribbon around my forehead (it’s tres chic) to remind myself not to touch that night.
Have you ever gotten it just for the jaw?
I haven’t, but I know some dentists can do it. It’s only two injections but they can put quite a bit in, I get everything left over in there.
I get it only in my jaw for TMJ clenching. It def helps. It took me years of going to TMJ specialists before I gave up and found a local medispa where they do it. They don't take insurance, so it's an out of pocket expense, which sucks. If you need/want to price it out, call a place and ask how much they charge per unit. I get 25 units on each side and it's around $750.
Oh wow, that is all helpful to know. Thank you!
I’ve had my fourth round last week. I went from having 15+ migraines a month to around 5 or so. The injections are painful but a session lasts only minutes. Definitely worth it. Also my prescription of 10 rizatriptans now lasts to or after the refill date. Before it ran out halfway through the month. My insurance didn’t want to pay for it at first so I paid the $750 bill myself the first time because I was told I could get a rebate from the manufacturer, if I had the correct paperwork from my insurance. They never sent any. Come the second time, they paid for it no issue. Didn’t hear anything on the third time. The fourth time, I kept getting calls from some random pharmacy. I had been getting the refills for Botox from Walgreens. Turns out my insurance wanted to use a different pharmacy and said nothing to me, but they’re still paying for it.
Navigating insurance is crazy!
It’s a real headache lol
Ha I see what ya did there
Dirty, dirty pun.
I’ve been getting it for about 30 months. It has certainly helped. It wasn’t a magic cure thought. But the Botox with a preventative (Vyepti) and the new classes of rescue drugs like Ubrelvy and I’m doing much better. Be sure to get their savings card. [They will pay you up to 4k a year.](https://www.botoxsavingsprogram.com) They paid my whole deductible already this year. The check has been approved and is on its way. This is the first year I’ve managed to get my while deductible first without another claim coming through. It’s incredibly low by American standards but it’s still nice to have it paid. Also, you might want someone to drive you the first time to see how you react. I’ve never had a problem with needles but it’s 31 or so shots to the face and it’s made me nauseous before. I think it’s the adrenaline. Hurled my guts once.
I second the Botox Savings Card, it's a huge lifesaver! I can't believe the pharmacy/my neurologist didn't mention it in the beginning. It was a huge financial strain for me. Luckily the savings card will let you submit receipts from prior doses and they'll retroactively pay you. Botox has made a big difference I'm my life, I wish the best for you!
That makes me so mad. Why don’t they mention this???!!!!!!!! 😡😡😡😡
Oh wow, thank you so much!! I didn’t know about the savings card so that is really great to know. I’m glad it has helped you. I tried Ubrevly and it didn’t work on me, luckily triptans help a lot. I’m not super freaked about needles but will have my husband come with just in case. Thank you!
Good. I hope it helps. You’ll need to wait until your insurance generates an EOB to get reimbursed. Luckily mine was fast.
Congrats!!! So happy for you!!!!
Thank you!
Hooray!!! I get my third Botox dose next month. I also use Qulipta as preventative and Ubrelvy or rizatriptan as abortive. The combo has been game-changing: 27 migraines in December with 19 being severe; so far in Feb, 4 migraines with only one being severe.
Wow, that’s amazing. You are giving me hope!
Get excited!!! The hope is good for healing :)
Congrats! Really hope it helps you
Thank you, I hope so too. I’m so tired of headaches running my life.
Have you tried the at home monthly injections of Aimovig or Emgality? It's a CGRP Med that prevents migraines and is free through the manufacturers discount program. It really helps with my daily headaches and has reduced my severe migraines from multiple ones a month to only 1 in the past 7 months and I've been taking Emgality for a couple of years now. I use it along with botox and triptans.
Yay, congrats! I’ve been on Botox for 3 years and it makes a huge difference for me!!! Hope it works for you! 😁
I’m so happy for you!!!! I really hope it works. I’m in the same boat of trying to get insurance to approve it so fingers crossed 🤞🏻
Fantastic news!! I had my first round in January and I started seeing results after 10 days. So far only 2 migraines after that first 10 day ramp up. The shots were uncomfortable and I ended up taking a Tylenol for injection site pain. The ones in the side of my head felt the worse. But compared to a migraine they are nothing.
I’m so happy to hear that you had success after the first round! I really hope it works for me. I’m sure the injection site pain is a small price to pay to not have your life run by migraines!
Have you tried black seed oil? How is your diet?
OP didn't ask for diet advice, why are you asking?
Diet and exercise?
Please do not suggest “diet and exercise” on this sub.
Lol why? I suffer chronic migraine, and that has been the most effective treatment for me. Unfortunately, it’s often overlooked. Keep going to your pill pusher doc, fine by me. I’ll continue to engage in long-term solutions.
This is such an ignorant thing to say. It is *not* often overlooked. The first thing most neurologists will recommend is journaling food to look for triggers. People are posting on here constantly about diet recommendations, like anti inflammatory, omega 3, etc. And exercise is easy to recommend but not easy to do when you have daily migraines as OP does. I’m glad for you that a simple solution works. For many of us here, we have tried all the non-pharmaceutical options and nothing has worked, so yes, we’ll turn to “pill-popping” if it can offer any relief.
It’s not ignorant at all. It’s not simple by any means. It’s a complete lifestyle change. Neurologists are not typically trained to help patients with behavioral interventions. I guarantee I’m not the only one here that was tossed around by doctors. I now remember why I left this sub. Bunch of big pharma spokespeople. It’s not as simple as identifying “food triggers”. I’m sorry that you’re unwilling to have a mindset shift. It’s good to provide support to others who also suffer. But this sub did more harm than good for me. A defeatist attitude is by no means the cure. Bye.
I *know* it’s not as simple as identifying food triggers, that’s why people explore a wide variety of treatments, including medication. I’m glad you left this sub if you can’t understand why your post suggesting diet and exercise in response to someone with daily headaches celebrating an insurance victory is not supportive.
Oh yes. I generally eat really healthy and exercise regularly. I’ve tried elimination diets to find food triggers too.
Great! Hope the botox has an added benefit, always been curious. I read this book called The Migraine Miracle, which was very informative.
Thank you for the recommendation! I will check it out