Twenty-six percent of women experience migraine headaches. Several migraine sufferers have turned to BOTOX® injections for relief.
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An intense, throbbing headache that persists for hours or days; a stiff neck and feelings of nausea; increased sensitivity to light, sounds and smells – these are some symptoms of a migraine headache, a severe headache from which more than 28 million Americans suffer each day. And when no medicine relieves the pain, patients are turning to an innovative technique that is most widely known to treat wrinkles: BOTOX®.

Botulinum toxin type A, BOTOX®, has been clinically used for more than 10 years for a variety of purposes. However, it is still considered an experimental treatment for migraines by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Several theories suggest how BOTOX® injections work, one being that BOTOX® blocks some nerve endings from releasing acetylcholine – the chemical in the brain that can cause spasms. BOTOX® may also block other neurotransmitters that can lead to migraines. As a result, the muscle spasms stop or are greatly reduced, providing relief from symptoms.

Victoria Carter, M.D., assistant professor of neurology, recommends BOTOX® injections as migraine relief to many patients. During her busy months, she may see up to 15 patients a day.

“I recommend BOTOX® to the patients who have failed numerous other preventative treatments,” Dr. Carter said. “About 80 to 95 percent of these patients benefit in one or more aspects of headache prevention. Numerous studies support the efficacy, safety and tolerability of BOTOX® for chronic migraines.”

Virginia Fulkerson, nephrology division administrator, began experiencing migraines when she was a teenager and said the headaches have progressively worsened.

“After trying a variety of medications and still visiting the emergency room several times each year, I was looking for a better option,” she said. “I was very hesitant at first to use BOTOX®.”

But when other treatments continued to fail, she agreed to try BOTOX® as a last resort.

“This has been one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made,” Fulkerson said. “It makes my life so much easier because my migraines are manageable. Without BOTOX®, I’d be making more frequent trips to the emergency room and would not be able to do my job.”

Fulkerson said her husband, Clyde Fulkerson, local area network specialist in the educational media resources department, also suffers from severe migraines and has turned to BOTOX® injections for treatment, as well.

“Two years ago we couldn’t do anything. After starting the injections in 2003, we were able to take our first vacation in 10 years,” she said.

One downfall about BOTOX® injections is that they can be expensive and often are not covered by insurance companies.

“If cost and insurance coverage wasn’t a factor, then I would recommend it earlier than waiting to see if all other treatments fail,” Dr. Carter said.

Like any pain reliever, BOTOX® does have potential side effects, including feeling flushed, hot and slightly nauseas for a few minutes after the injection. The site of injection can also turn red and swell. BOTOX® can sometimes temporarily paralyze muscles that cause migraines which, in rare cases, may result in a droopy eyelid.

“I have actually never seen these side effects with any patients, but it is possible they could affect some people,” Dr. Carter said.

BOTOX® doesn’t cure migraines but will often make them less frequent, less intense and shorten the length of them. Many patients still take some form of medication, while others are able to stop. Most patients are much less likely to suffer from the severe headaches after treatment with BOTOX®.

Contact: Jacquelyn Spruce
Phone: (210) 567-0414
E-mail: sprucej@uthscsa.edu