Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> 2003 Posts >> Botox
        
(Message started by: TerryS on Dec 16^th, 2003, 5:44pm)

Title: Botox
Post by TerryS on Dec 16^th, 2003, 5:44pm

This Friday I start Botox injuction. Has anyone had a chance to try them? From what I know they only work for a while.

God bless,
TerryS

Title: Re: Botox
Post by Brian_Y on Dec 16^th, 2003, 7:19pm

I am seeing my neuro next Tuesday for discussions on this topic. I am, quite frankly, incredulous.

We shall see. Let me know how it fares....

Title: Re: Botox
Post by 9erfan on Dec 16^th, 2003, 7:27pm

Tried it and it gave me a headache for about 7 days (a different kind from my clusters). Didn't help my clusters either, but did make me look 10 years younger (no joke)!

Title: Re: Botox
Post by Karla on Dec 16^th, 2003, 7:39pm

I do botox for my migraines but it does nothing for my clusters.

Title: Re: Botox
Post by don on Dec 16^th, 2003, 10:18pm

You will still have CH but with nice luscious lips.

Title: Re: Botox
Post by Jayne on Dec 16^th, 2003, 10:38pm

I did two rounds of botox injections earlier this year on the left side of my head, forehead, scalp. a total cost of $1632..... result.....looking less pissed off on my left side.

Title: Re: Botox
Post by don on Dec 16^th, 2003, 10:52pm

Quote:

looking less pissed off on my left side.

ROFLMMFAO

But making up for it on the right?

Title: Re: Botox
Post by forgetfulnot on Dec 16^th, 2003, 11:35pm

This potent neurotoxin is produced by Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that causes food poisoning (botulism). There are seven known types of C. botulinum toxin, but only types A (Botox®) and B (Myobloc®) are used as medical treatments.

Botulinum toxin has proven to be useful in the treatment of many forms of dystonia, including the following:

blepharospasm—forceful involuntary closure of the eyelids
strabismus—misalignment of the eyes
hemifacial spasm—sudden contraction of the muscles on one side of the face
spasmodic torticollis, or cervical dystonia—muscle spasm in the neck that causes the head to turn to one side, and sometimes forward or backward
oromandibular dystonia—continuous spasms of the face, jaw, neck, tongue, larynx, and in severe cases, the respiratory system
urinary retention—severe inability to urinate that requires catheterization
spasmodic dysphonia—spasm of the vocal cords that causes sudden disruption of speech
stuttering—repetitions of parts of words and whole words, long pauses, elongated sounds
voice tremor—quavering vocalization
Neurons generate new nerve endings that reactivate the dystonia, so improvement is not long lasting, and treatment is usually repeated every 3 to 4 months. Physical or occupational therapy usually is undertaken to stretch and restore normal muscle function. Some patients develop antibodies to the toxin over time, rendering the treatment ineffective.

Side Effects

This is a safe and effective treatment when given in very small amounts by a qualified neurologist. Some patients experience temporary weakness in the group of muscles being treated. For example, ptosis (drooping eyelid) can develop after treating blepharospasm. Flu-like symptoms develop in some, but rarely.

I like my poision better ;)

Lee.............

Title: Re: Botox
Post by don on Dec 16^th, 2003, 11:43pm

Quote:

Botulinum toxin has proven to be useful in the treatment of many forms of dystonia, including the following:

Don't see CH in that list. HMMMMMM?

Quote:

From what I know they only work for a while.

Not true. A good Doc will get many many payments on the Mercedes out of you and a Mercedes can last for many years.

Title: covered.Re: Botox
Post by hdbngr on Dec 17^th, 2003, 10:41am

You can get these done through a local plastic surgeon, too. Believe it or not, they are usually LESS expensive than the neuro.

The serum is covered as a medication by some health plans (about $350), as long as you have a letter from your primary Doctor. The injections cost about $150 - and this portion was out of pocket. Had several in the forehead, back of the head, and the neck. If it works, they have to be redone every three months.

It helped with neck pain, and gave me a nice, smooth forehead, but didn't impact the clusters. No side effects though, felt about like a bee sting. Worth the try, and the reduced lines were nice...

Title: Re: Botox
Post by Tgorder on Dec 17^th, 2003, 4:10pm

Save your money. The Dr told me it would not likely work because clusters are so different than migraines. Botox does not deaden the nerves that cause the pain they deaden the muscles that tense up. CH are not muscle related.

Since I had tried everything else and was desperate I had them done anyway. Now I think of all the imitrex I could have bought with my $500.

Save your money. Don't do it.

Title: Re: Botox
Post by Renee on Dec 17^th, 2003, 5:25pm

ditto on all the above. botox is good on migraines but not CH.

try a nerve block if you are looking for some type of injection in the area of pain. that helped me for almost 3 months. my injection was given in the notch of the supra-orbital nerve in occipital bone, just above eyeball toward the center. very painful shot with no lidocaine and my eye swelled shut at first and then my forehead had no sense of my feeling it for several weeks but the piercing knife just above my eyeball went away for 3 months.