I saw my Migraine specialist on April 18, 2011, and received my first round of Botox injections for Migraine prevention. Before he gave me the injections, we talked for a little bit. My first question was, “What is the best case scenario as far as results from the Botox injections?” He said that I could see improvement in seven to 10 days. He went on to say that 25% of Migraine patients see very good to excellent results after the first set of injections; 60% see very good to excellent results after the second set of injections; and 80% see very good to excellent results after the third set of injections. I just love the term “very good to excellent results.” Don’t all of us want to have these kind of results? Sure we do!

My Migraine specialist (whom I will refer to as Dr. B for simplicity sake) said that I will receive a second round of injections whether or not I see any improvement after the first set of injections. If I see no improvement after the second round, he will not do a third round of Botox. On the bright side, if I do see improvement with the Botox, we will start taking away preventive medications (with his direction of course.) I am currently taking four different preventives. That is the scenario I am hoping for… to improve with the Botox and start taking AWAY medications. That would be wonderful! I will go back in 10-12 weeks for my second round of injections.

So have I seen any improvement? I have. I think my husband put it best when someone asked him how I was doing since the Botox injections. He told them that I had several “high trigger” days where the Migraine has not “taken me down.” And that is true. I haven’t had a pain-free day yet, but I have not had as many debilitating Migraines. Another thing that I have noticed is what I call a frozen forehead. I literally cannot make my forehead have any wrinkles. I can’t even make the space between my eyes wrinkle up when I try. It’s quite bizarre. I don’t think it’s that noticeable to others, but it certainly is to me. My forehead looks really smooth and wrinkle-free, but it’s because I can’t move it. It’s frozen! But if that’s the price I pay for less pain I will certainly take it. I will know more as time passes, but for now, I am happy with the results. I can only hope that I will continue to improve. I have also been able to exercise more regularly and I am very happy about that.

Thank you for reading. Remember to take good care of yourself. Seek out the medical attention that you deserve and reach out for support when you need it. Living with Migraine disease is difficult. Sometimes you are the only one that has any idea how much pain you are in. Take care of you! You deserve it.

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Last Updated May 7, 2011.