Botox update

By Debbie Murphy Sunday, September 04, 2011

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Hello everyone! Sorry it's taken so long for an update on the Botox. It's been quite an adventure--not in a good way!!

Our vaca. was planned for 8/20 to go to the Jersey shore. About 3 days before, I got sick with something nasty--food poisoning, a bug, whatever. Didn't go to the dr. Barely made the 3 hr. trip to the shore, and was still sick for two more beautiful beach days!! :( Plus, whenever I'm sick, I either get a h/a, or migraine. 3rd day felt better. Then we had to evacuate on Thursday because of Hurr. Irene!! All the rushing,etc., hit me the next day with a migraine, but I took the Relpax and it was gone by the end of the day!!! Never has that happened before so quickly! THEN, about 2 days later, I got this WICKED cold that sat itself in my head and lasted about a week. This time the Relpax didn't work because I needed something to clear my sinuses. So as soon as I did that, my migraine went away. (I took Advil Cold and Sinus).

So, my cold is pretty much gone, and I really think the Botox is working. Sept. 6th will be 5 weeks. It was hard to tell with all the other stuff going on! I can't tell you how excited I am! Plus, my Neurologist started me on a new antidepressant and I can tell it's really helping. This is the first time in years that I've actually had some sort of positive outlook. I've actually made plans to do things--in advance! That's how much better I feel. I NEVER made plans before. If anyone is on the fence about the Botox, PLEASE give it a try!!

Deb :)

Comments (10) | Add comment

Nancy Harris Bonk, Health Guide

9/ 4/11 10:10pm

Hi Deb,

Thanks for the update. I'm certainly keeping my fingers crossed for you on the Botox front.

I'm going to pass along some sinus and Migraine information for you to look at when you get a chance if you haven't already seen it:

Sinuses Giving You a Headache? It's Probably Migraine.

Let us know how you continue to do, ok?

Debbie Murphy

9/ 8/11 2:21pm

Thanks Nancy!

So far so good! I would recommend it to anyone that is thinking of trying the Botox. I was very pessimistic, only because nothing has given me relief in 20 years, and I was proven wrong! It's no cure, but my ususal 3-4 day migraines, I can get rid of in a day when I take my Relpax. They just seem to go away quicker, and my BIG problem area which is my neck, isn't as painful. It would get so tight I thought I could just snap it like a twig--and the pain would shoot right up to my head. I definitely feel relief there.

Thanks for the sinus info. I will check it out. It seems like whenever I get sick, no matter what it is, I get a migraine along with it!! Very annoying!!

I have about a month until I see my Botox Dr. again. Until then, if anything interresting happens, I will give a shout.

PS-luckily, it didn't "freeze" my forehead like I've heard it can do!! I can still raise my eyebrows and do my mad face! :)

Deb :)

Tara

9/ 8/11 12:32pm

What is the new antidepressant your Dr. Prescribed? I am on 40 mg of celexa & do not think it is working anymore. I have tried pristiq & cymbalta but could not tolerate the side effects. Glad to hear your Botox is working!

Debbie Murphy

9/ 8/11 2:09pm

Hi Tara,

My Dr. just put me on Remeron (mirtazapine), 15 mg. to start, about the same time I had the Botox injections. I BEGGED her to put me back on an antidepressant--we were sort of starting fresh with the meds 'cause nothing was working (as usual). I think this one is actually working and I'm thrilled. Before I was on it, I was just so sad all the time, cried all the time, I just wanted to not be here, but my kids are always what bring me back. Now after taking the Remeron(I also take 100 mg Topamax), I feel lifted out of my slump. I'm sure combined with the Botox and finally having SOME RELIEF, that also has lifted spirits! (I also take Nadolol and Lorazapam for a cardiac prob.)

I also tried the Cymbalta (expensive!!), and had no results.

I hoped this helped, and I also hope you find something that helps you feel better soon.

Deb :)

Tara

9/ 8/11 8:57pm

Thanks for the info Debbie! Good luck with your treatment. I have had migraines for 27 years & they just get worse the older I get. I think it is the hormones! I have tried biogenetical hormone therapy, botox ( when I can afford it) my insurance does not cover & many preventatives with not much relief. I even tried acupuncture! I am going to try yoga next. If I had all the money I have spent on migraine treatment thru the years, I would be wealthy!

Debbie Murphy

9/ 8/11 10:39pm

Hi Tara,

I agree with you about the hormones. Mine are also getting worse as I get older. Have you tried applying for disability? Or is that not an option. Because Medicare pretty much covers my Botox. I don't know for how long tho.....

We'd all be millionaires if we had a cure for this! I can't tell you how much $$$$$ I've wasted just on meds that didn't work--20+ years worth! Just the meds I take in one year is a lot of money, and that's just the co-pay's!!

I was going to try acupuncture if the Botox didn't work---I've heard good things.

Good luck and I hope you're feeling better soon.

Deb :)

silvermoon

9/ 8/11 8:56pm

I just got my 3rd round of Botox and I completely agree with you!! Although my migraines have not been reduced significantly, the intensity and duration have GREATLY diminished! Like you, I also feel like I have a life again!! For the first time this summer, I found myself making and KEEPING social plans. I don't even remember the last time I was able to do that. My treatments have been wearing off at about the 2 1/2 month mark and it takes a week/two weeks before the next set of injections start working, so I start feeling the neck/shoulder/head/facial pain again...but this last time, it wasn't as intense as usual. My migraines seem to return to their usual pattern, but I look forward to the treatment, because at this point I feel positive that there will be improvement again for awhile! It's really the first time I have felt so hopeful!!!! I wish you the same success I have had....even this much (which I have measured at about 50%, pain reduction-meds take away migraines, life can go on) is just AWESOME!!!!

Debbie Murphy

9/ 8/11 10:51pm

Sounds like our stories with Botox are quite similar! I think I'm starting to feel it wear off a little bit now. I go in a few weeks, and hopefully my Dr. can tweek my dosage up a little.

It is amazing tho. It's like night and day. My family is definitely happier. :) It's been like walking on egg shells around here for a long time.

I hope you keep having great days!

Deb :)

andreia

9/18/11 12:04am

Hi Deb, I hope the Botox work for you, I don't know for how long you're doing the treatment but,that really works.

I'm on the Botox for almost 3 years and that changed my life from miserable to regular, now I'm able to work and have a social life, of course the preventive treatment have a lot to do with that too.

In my case, I tried all the triptans and I can't take none, they give me rebound headaches and I have to take steroids, the only med that help me right now is migranal but I hate this medication, causes a lot of nausea and vomiting, you really need another medication for vomiting, so here we go , when you see, look like a bag of skitlles, so many pills.

But the important thing is , I used to have 23 migraines a month, now I have 4, 5, took me a while but my doc. said he wants to see me with no migraines at all.

God luck, God Bless us all because this is a test of patiences and faith.........

bwalker

9/18/11 7:46pm

I have a headache everyday, they are non-stop. They cause nausea, pressure, pain, quite debilitating. It affect my daily life, walking my dog or even cooking dinner is difficult. I have a migraine about every week. They cause extreme pain, extremely photophobic, bothered by noises, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, painful just to get out of bed.Eight months ago in VAI had several botox injections at one sitting (across forehead, temples into hairline, many around head, down into my neck & shoulders. Within a few hours my headache was gone. I did not have a headache or a migraine for about 6 months. EXTREMELY WORTH every stick!!! After about 5-6 months I began to get mild headaches on/off. Now 9 months later ALL symptoms are back. Unfortunately I am no longer in VA and having trouble finding a neurologist that will perform the injections. I am in New Orleans, Louisiana. I had all records sent to my neurologist here in LA which states the only solution is botox for my migraines/headaches. But instead he started over with trying me on the medications (including pain meds) and an occipital nerve block (again and extremely painful) which in my records shows DOES NOT work. So now, several hundreds of dollars later of expensive med's, ECG's, EKG's, MRI's, OC Nerve Block he is considering performing botox. Why not sooner? I should have already changed to another doctor, but I have all the money and time invested at this office. I am also trying to locate a neurologist that performs these injections regularly. A cosmetic surgeon &/or botox certified doctor CANNOT perform these injects in the needed/correct places. So, my answer is YES, BOTOX has worked for me.

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