Did you know that June is National Migraine Headache Awareness Month? As a migraine sufferer myself, I would like to point out that those of us with personal experience are AWARE every month! Growing up I remember getting very intense headaches/fevers. They were really stopping me from being a normal kid. I would have to lie in a dark room with an ice pack on my head and I would just cry from the pain. As I got older and migraine medicine became more common my doctor and I had a long discussion about my condition and I was referred to a neurologist. This was the beginning of my journey that would eventually lead me to the potential benefits of Botox for migraines.

Figuring things out: appointments, migraine diary, and identifying triggers

If you have been down this road, then you know that these appointments are not growing on trees! After a three-month wait, I was finally in. (Side note, this was pre-COVID, I’ve heard of people waiting 6 months or more now). My neurologist was the sweetest senior gentleman. He asked me to bring in my migraine diary, which was something I never heard of! I had to fill out which days I had a migraine and what my “triggers” were. While I certainly had migraine awareness, I had not yet developed my frequency and trigger awareness. The diary helped with that! I realized once I started tracking that my migraines were occurring almost every other day! Triggers ranged from the weather changing, to loud noises, to even lighting changes causing an attack.

Discovering Botox for Migraines: My Journey to Relief

My Neurologist at the time offered me different medications and for around three years I went through four different types of medicine. Then we tried Botox. The first time I laughed and made the joke I’m only 23 I don’t have any wrinkles, but my Doctor explained to me how Botox helps migraines and explained how it works.

Botox is a toxin that works by blocking the neurotransmitters that tell your muscles to contract. When used in small doses, it can paralyze the muscles which contribute to or worsen migraine headaches. Your trained provider injects Botox at various locations in the scalp – including the forehead, the sides, and the back of the head – as well as in the neck and the trapezius muscles (back of the neck and shoulders). My dose was five units and it was covered by my insurance. So it was off the races and I got all the shots and drove home. My migraines went from every other day to once a month at max.

Compared to my other medications I had tried, I didn’t notice any side effects. I didn’t have to remember to take a pill two times a day. I had to go in every 4-5 months for a quick check-up and get my shots. Life was made so much easier! I got my life back, I got time back with my daughter, and I didn’t have to worry about missing out anymore.

I’ve been on Botox for almost three years and because of this treatment, I got my life back. And appointments are easier than ever with the providers at Spruce Health Group, there is no need to wait for months and months to see a Neurologist. I am able to enjoy time with my daughter. I enjoy my hobbies again, and I’m much more effective in my work. I got my #HealthyLiving from Botox, and you can too!

Contact Spruce Health Group to request an appointment today.