Chronic Migraines

For over seven years I have suffered with chronic migraines. I have posted many blog posts in the passed about different methods of treatment. I have tried massages, physical therapy, chiropractor, Asian herbal and acupuncture methods, western medicine, and my latest has been Botox injections. Two years ago this time I stated with my first round and I was beyond nervous. I had heard so many amazing stories but with every good story comes a negative experience of story. 

I battled for awhile with medications and had some horrible side effects. I was on Topamax and that was one of the worst experiences. I briefly tried it when my migraines first started and had lost a ton of weight but didn't like the memory issues so I had stopped it to try other treatments. Years later my doctor suggested I try it one more time to see and he would slowly up my dosage. I started out on a low dose but before long I was having side effects. Started with a metal taste in my mouth, loss of appetite which is why so many lose weight while on it. Soda tastes flat and food has no flavor. The scariest stuff is the memory loss and confusion. I would forget where I was going when driving and even forgetting to pay for stuff while shopping at the store. My family noticed the changes as well and my husband told me I had to go off the medication so I went to my neurologist in tears explaining what had been going on and he slowly weaned me off the medication. Within a few days of being off the meds my migraines came back viscous. I would be laid up in bed sometimes for a couple of days unable to deal with bright light, sounds and being so nauseous I would be sick. 

My husband was talking to one of his coworkers who also suffered from migraines who told him about the Botox. I had read about it but never even thought about it because it was such an expensive treatment and wasn't sure my insurance would cover it. I was going to the ER some months twice a week for an injection and that would be after two days of suffering when I couldn't take it anymore. At the same time all this was going on I was battling with extreme fatigue, bloating, loss of feeling in my right side, tingling in my arms and legs, and other scary symptoms which led to a series of doctors appointments, scans, lab work and other tests. 

I finally went to my neurologist and asked about the Botox he wrote me a referral and my process of getting my insurance to cover it began. It wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be because I had tried for so many years so many different types of treatments which were all documented plus my amazing doctor called the insurance company himself urging them to allow me to try the Botox because it was really my last hope. I got approved and had my first appointment. I was scared because I hate needles and shots, it is a series of 32-36 injections to the face, head, neck and shoulders. I remember the pain being so hard that I was crying my first appointment then when I came home I was sore for days. I get my injections usually on a Tuesday. They do them every 90 days and some times I am okay within two days then sometimes it's 3-4 days of being sore before I can go back to my regular routine.  It is worth it. I will say that not every time is the same results. I have times when I make it almost the entire 90 days with a handful of normal headsches and maybe 2-3 migraines which is a life changer for me I use to get 2-3 migraines a week before the Botox. Other times I will get more or it wears off earlier which is what I am dealing with this go around. I have been having migraines for about a month and still have a couple weeks till my next batch of shots. 

I have shots here at home, it is similar to the Epi pen in looks but has immitrex. I also have a prescription for the medication they give chemo patients for nausea on the days I have a migraine because I end up super sick to my stomache. I can't even put into words how hard this is to deal with especially being a mother and having a job. I had to leave a few jobs because I was missing work often and felt bad, then have missed out on some of my kids school activities and their sports games or events due to the migraines. I have dragged myself out many times in pain feeling awful because I didn't want to miss out on their stuff. 

The Botox was a game or life changer for me. It has made things a lot easier and honestly is worth the pain of the shots and soreness for a day or two to be migraine free for pretty much 60-90 days. I don't have to take medication that makes me lose my memory or my mind. Many people think it has some type of beauty benefits because they relate Botox to being a cosmetic procedure but this style of shots does not have any effects on my face at all. I only get 6 shots on my face and the amount of the injections are way less than the cosmetic procedure doses. 

If you read some of my prior posts about the treatment I can report after 2 years it has been amazing for me and has really helped relieve my migraines. The occasional migraine that creeps in or the months the dosage doesn't seem to work as well as the other times, I have my injections for at home. Those seem to help a lot also but I am usually laid up for 1-2 hours after receiving the injections. I can not give myself the injection yet I have my husband or my mom do it because I am terrified of needles and afraid I would move before the needle popped out. 

I hope this helps anyone who is suffering with chronic migraines that may be considering trying the Botox treatment. Is it very important to first try several different treatments. I know my insurance company required the migraines to have been treated over several years and that I had tried multiple medications, therapies and diet changes before they would cover it. Also my doctor called the insurance company when they started reviewing my case to let them know how bad I had struggled and all the treatments I had tried out. Next make sure you find a good neurologist. I have spoken to a few people who have had the Botox done by plastic surgeons and other types of doctors, their stories were not so great. I also had a doctor who was in their internship inject me once and was in horrible pain for weeks after. My doctor is amazing, he does the injections so fast that you would never know it was 34 shots and he knows exactly were to go with the needle. He specializes in injections and migraines so he does this all day everyday. I have sent several people to him and they all have had amazing results. If you live in my area feel free to message me and I can give you his information, he is my life saver I always tell him every time I see him how much this treatment has helped me. I feel like I can live again without worrying what triggers my migraines, what I am eating and when the next terrible migraine is coming. 

Thank you for passing by and if you are suffering from chronic migraines, pain, fatigue, MS or any type of auto immune disorders don't ever feel alone. I know  how hard it can be and if you ever want to vent I am always here to listen or lend some advice. Life is short and it's crazy the things that can happen or hit you out of nowhere, I never even had headsches really before I had my second child then after she was born I started having the worst migraines ever. I still think it was a hormonal thing but now I really still don't know. 

Happy almost Friday and I know I am ready for the WEEKEND. Have a lovely weekend all XOXO

Migraine treatment update.

In October of 2013 I posted a article on here about my long struggle with migraines. It had gotten so bad that I would get 2-4 migraines a week at times. I had tried so many medications that had awful side effects. Side effects were losing my hair, memory loss, speech issues, dry skin, skin rashes, dry mouth and more. I tried chiropractor, Chinese medicine, acupuncture, cupping, massages, every home remedy that I was told about from others or had read about online. Sadly nothing really helped me. 

After six years of battling and being in my worse spell of chronic migraines ever my neurologist finally suggested trying Botox injections for the treatment and prevention of migraines. I had several people tell me about this treatment but was told it was expensive and if you didn't go to a good doctor you could have all kinds of bad side effects. I googled it and was terrified. I hate needles and the idea of getting 34-36 injections in my face, head, neck and shoulders was terrifying. Like anything the horrible stories I read about was enough to make me think it wasn't worth it but then I would read just as many anazing stories that I decided if my insurance was going to cover the treatment I would give it a shot. This treatment can cost $800-2000 depending on the doctor, dosage and amount of injections. It can only be done once every ninety days. 

My neurologist sent for approval from my insurance company and after getting denied my doctor personally called my insurance company for me. He explained to them all the treatments I had tried and the list of horrible side effects explaining how I got no relief. After many conversations with the insurance company and answering many questions  it finally was approved. I wrote about my first appointment and one update after my second treatment. Everyone wanted to know if it took care of wrinkles since some of the injection areas are on my face, honestly I don't get the shots for cosmetic reasons. I don't feel at my age I need that yet but I have noticed that  between my eyebrows doesn't crinkle up like it use to even when I try my hardest to make it and my forehead does appear to be smoother on the top portion just below my hairline. I had some small lines from squinting that are no longer visible unless I squint hard. Keep in mind these injections are not the same dosage or amount that you receive when getting the cosmetic version of Botox done. The dose is weaker and each injection is a small amount.

I still get very nervous every ninety days when my appointment comes. I am terrified of needles and honestly since my skin is still tight on my face and then my neck, and shoulder muscles are super tense it can hurt. Luckily my doctor is amazing and he works quickly. Thirty four shots is a lot and he is done very quick. Some times it hurts worse then others depending on my sensitivity level at that time and if I am sore already or have a migraine when I go. I am usually sore for a few days after.  I would say almost every time if I don't go to the appointment with a headache or migraine I usually have one when I leave or within a few hours but it helps to take Advil then ice the areas. 

The day of I am sore during the procedure and tender to the touch when I get home. I ice the area throughout the day but the next two days is usually rough. By the third day I am back to myself and usually have some neck sensitivity but then I am migraine free for the next two months sometimes longer. It has never lasted the entire ninety days but I will say that it has been a life changer for me. Being someone who suffered so bad and would get nausea, sensitivity to light, sounds, smells and movement, I now don't spend a couple days a week laying in my bed in darkness just praying for it to end. I feel like I got my life back and it has helped me so much. I get to spend more time with my kids and don't worry every day about getting a headache or migraine. 

I have read bad reviews and good like anything but for me it has been the most effective and less side effects compared to all the different medications that I have been prescribed over the years. I highly recommend if your insurance will cover it and you have tried many types of relief that have not worked for you, to give the Botox a try. I bring my husband with me and he usually takes the day off and sometimes the day after off or I have someone here to help me with the kids because my head usually hurts, and feels like it weighs a hundred pounds on my neck. I recommend having frozen ice packs and cold clothes, being ready to take a day or two to just relax, and the support of your family or spouse for that time. I take it easy and don't let anything get me stressed out. I try to take a break from any responsibilities or work I have for the entire week, that way I can focus on relaxing and feeling better. 

I will be sure to post a article later this week about my appointment tomorrow and fill you in on more details about the procedure, my pain after and how long it takes me to feel myself again. I have been having migraines for almost three weeks now, my neck is super tight snd sore as I write this. I am praying that the shots won't hurt as badly as they have the passed two times. My first few treatments didn't hurt as badly as the last two. I have a neurologist that specializes in injections that does my procedure. He is the best and knows exactly where to go with each injection. It usually takes about twenty minutes from start to finish and then I am on my way home to ice and relax. Hope this helps anyone who is looking for ways to fight their battle with chronic migraines. The pain of the shots is nothing compared to the symptoms and pain of an actual migraine. Especially those that last for days and have you laid up in bed unable to do your daily activities or tend to your responsibilities. Please if you have any questions please feel free to leave me a comment. I get notification on my phone for every comment to be approved and usually respond within 12 hours at the longest. I try my best to respond right away. 

If you struggle with migraines be strong and I promise you there is light at the end of the tunnel. You can get your life back and live migraine free, even if it is for two months. To me it's the best choice I have made and thanks to my amazing team of doctors, along with my insurance company, I have been able to try this amazing treatment. I have had zero side effects other then pain and stiffness for two to three days following the shots. No droopy eye, lock jaw, ringing in my ears or muscle weakness. 

Check back later this week for my in depth post on my appointment and step by step what happens at the appointment. I will do my best to get some photos also. 

Have a great week and I will be missing for a couple days but should have some fun stuff to post this weekend. Don't forget to head over to Instagram and enter my contest to win a $25 Target giftcard, my way of showing how thankful I am to everyone for your support with my blog. Good night and hopefully I will sleep even though the thought of the  needles make me anxious. Bless you all. Xoxo