Botox for Migraines
How many days a month do you lose to headaches? If it is 15 or more, small injections of Botox® by Allergan may give some of them back.
- First change
- Sometimes two to four weeks
- Full response
- Two or three cycles to judge
- Lasts
- About 12 weeks
- Downtime
- Minimal
- Consultation
- Complimentary
- Available at
- Legian · Ubud · Canggu
The aim is fewer headache days
Placed in specific muscles around the head and neck, Botox® temporarily interrupts the release of chemicals involved in pain signalling, so fewer signals may reach the nerves behind an attack. It cannot stop one in progress.
Your doctor first counts your headache and migraine days from your headache diary or a migraine questionnaire. If the recognised protocol suits you, that means 155 units across 31 injection sites.
Where it can be used
- Forehead
- Between the eyebrows
- Temples
- Back of the head
- Upper neck
- Neck and upper shoulders
Your visit
The injections are quick, but the assessment before them takes time. With a fine needle and usually no anaesthetic, your doctor works from your forehead to your upper shoulders, a brief pinprick at a time. Keep your head upright for several hours afterwards.
- Tell your doctor what you take, including blood thinners and aspirin.
- Mention any botulinum toxin or filler treatment in the last four months.
- Avoid alcohol the day before, as it can increase bruising.
- Arrive with clean skin and little makeup on the treatment area.
- Do not rub, press or massage the treated area for the rest of the day.
- No strenuous exercise, saunas, steam rooms or intense heat for 24 to 48 hours.
- Delay facials and facial massage until your doctor says.
- Contact us if anything unexpected develops afterwards.
- Keep a headache diary of days, symptoms, duration, triggers and medication, before and after.
- Bring medical reports, and mention muscle relaxants, injected antibiotics, supplements and past migraine treatments.
Is it right for you?
- Have headaches on 15 or more days a month
- Have migraine on at least eight of those days
- Get headaches lasting four hours or longer
- Are an adult diagnosed with chronic migraine
- Have tried other treatments without enough control
Tell your doctor about any neuromuscular condition, allergy or trouble swallowing or breathing before you book.
Results
Some people notice an improvement within two to four weeks, and others need two or three cycles before it shows in the diary. If it helps, it is repeated every 12 weeks. It is not a cure.
Tenderness, redness, swelling or bruising, a stiff neck, a headache or some muscle weakness can follow, and pass. Results vary, and your doctor says what to expect for your headaches.
Cocoon is a licensed medical clinic with eight doctors, including a dermatologist, and you meet yours before anything is booked.
Questions people ask
It is not meant for every headache, and has not been shown to work for episodic migraine, with 14 or fewer headache days a month.
Keep taking it, including your acute medication for attacks, unless the doctor who prescribed it says otherwise. Botox® may be part of a wider plan.
Some injection sites overlap with cosmetic Botox® areas, so your lines and movement may change, though the migraine protocol sets the placing.
Call us promptly about significant weakness, increasing pain, signs of infection or another unexpected reaction. Please have a doctor assess any headache that is new, suddenly severe or unlike your usual migraine.
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