Chronic migraines are not just headaches. They are throbbing, debilitating headaches that create life interruptions. Often accompanied by nausea or sensitivity to light and sound, migraine headaches make it difficult to enjoy life. Today, three million Americans suffer from chronic migraines.
Hattiesburg Clinic offers BOTOX® for migraines, the first and only preventative treatment FDA-approved to reduce headache days in adults with chronic migraines.
You can schedule an appointment by contacting Hattiesburg Clinic Neurology. Self-referrals are accepted.
Hattiesburg Clinic neurologists administer BOTOX into muscles of the forehead, side and back of the head and neck. Occasionally, the injection sites depend on the patient.
BOTOX injections are given every three months.
Most commonly known for the ability to reduce facial wrinkles, BOTOX has many benefits. The BOTOX used for chronic migraines is the same as the cosmetic BOTOX. Although symmetry and functionality is taken into account, the intention of the neurologist is to reduce headache and not for cosmetic benefit. However, patients often experience a relaxing of the muscles near the injection sites, causing a reduction of wrinkles.
A chronic migraine is a reoccurring headache, either tension-type and/or migraine quality that occurs 15 or more days each month for at least three months. Each migraine lasts for greater than four hours.
Most patients are able to receive the treatments while on medications. However, prior to receiving treatment, tell your doctor about any medication you take, including prescription and over the counter.
Most patients can return to work or drive themselves home after receiving treatment. However, each patient is unique.
Most insurances are accepted. Patients are encouraged to schedule a consultation and allow our staff to work with your insurance provider to determine coverage.
BOTOX for chronic migraines is used to prevent headaches in people 18 years or older who have 15 or more headache days each month lasting 4 or more hours. Certain insurances may require documentation of patients exhausting other treatment options before they are eligible for BOTOX.
Initial consultations usually take 20-30 minutes. Office visits to receive BOTOX treatment typically last 15-20 minutes.
BOTOX is injected using a very small needle. Some patients experience a slight discomfort level but state the benefit is far greater than the discomfort. During treatment, physicians monitor the discomfort level of their patient.
The most common side effect in clinical studies was neck pain, experienced by only nine percent of BOTOX patients.
Many treatment options are used to decrease pain during the onset of a chronic headache. As a preventive treatment option, BOTOX is used to stop migraines before the onset. Additionally, BOTOX treatment is given once every three months as opposed to taking oral medications every day.