Migraines

[Tigger&Belle]

The only thing that has worked for me is Botox injections. I have 5 of them between my eyes. It doesn't prevent them completely but it makes them mild enough that Excedrin Migraine can keep them from being debilatating. If I let the botox wear off (it lasts 4-6 months) I can easily spend 4 days in bed with a Migraine. Immitrix, etc won't even touch it.

Does your insurance company pay for the botox? I have thought about this, but knowing our insurance they wouldn't pay.

 

[Texan Mouseketeer]

I have never heard of that before. What does your doctor say that is from?

Something about the blood vessels and my blood pressure.

 

[candykisses]

I'm sorry to see so many of us have had migraines this week.

I had such a bad one on Saturday that I ended up in the ER I received an injection of Toradol, then 45 min later an injection of Imitrex. That helped. I felt lousy until Monday.

I know that migraine was triggered by being in a room that was too hot.

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

Glad to know I'm not the only one that's suffering this week. With the weather changing I've had a heck of a time. I've been on Topomax, so they've not been TERRIBLE, but this one has been a real *itch. I've had to resort to heat packs and musce relaxers in combination with the Migraine Meds that I take. I feel woozy today.. but hopefully it'll go away. *sigh* Hope everyone feels better soon.

 

[Cindyluwho]

I pay for the botox out of pocket, it's about $500 each visit. I haven't taken the time & effort to go through all of the tests, etc that it would take to get my insurance to pay. My major medical deductible is so high it really wouldn't make much difference. I have to say it makes a dramatic difference as far as wrinkles are concerned. I had such a deep furrow between my brows before I started the injections, now you'd never know it had ever been there! Woohoo less migraines AND younger looking

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

I used to take Maxalt, but most of the time it didn't touch my migranes. I switched to Relpax and got more relief.

But then I went to the allergy doctor and found I was allergic to milk and eggs. I eliminated those from my diet and have only had one migrane in a year!

Good luck.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

I pay for the botox out of pocket, it's about $500 each visit. I haven't taken the time & effort to go through all of the tests, etc that it would take to get my insurance to pay. My major medical deductible is so high it really wouldn't make much difference. I have to say it makes a dramatic difference as far as wrinkles are concerned. I had such a deep furrow between my brows before I started the injections, now you'd never know it had ever been there! Woohoo less migraines AND younger looking

Wow, I would love to be able to get botox for both migraines and to get rid of my wrinkles between my brows!!! Kill two birds with one stone! How did you go about this? Would I talk to my doctor and then does he refer you to someone?

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Wow, I would love to be able to get botox for both migraines and to get rid of my wrinkles between my brows!!! Kill two birds with one stone! How did you go about this? Would I talk to my doctor and then does he refer you to someone?

I think that my neurologist does the botox. I didn't ask him about it last time I was in (my first visit with him), but I thought that I saw a sign or something that indicated that he does the shots.

I'll have to ask, but I wonder what hoops the insurance company would want me to go through before allowing me to get the shots. I've been under treatment with my internist for about 5 years, had MRIs, etc.

And wouldn't getting rid of wrinkles be a nice bonus?

 

[Cindyluwho]

I think that my neurologist does the botox. I didn't ask him about it last time I was in (my first visit with him), but I thought that I saw a sign or something that indicated that he does the shots.

I'll have to ask, but I wonder what hoops the insurance company would want me to go through before allowing me to get the shots. I've been under treatment with my internist for about 5 years, had MRIs, etc.

And wouldn't getting rid of wrinkles be a nice bonus?

I think the main criteria is that you've tried all the different medications and had all of the tests (MRI's etc.) Then it's up to your DR to send you to a neurologist. It's been years since I had an MRI and I've only tried the Immitrix type drugs. I don't want to spend a year in and out of pain just so my insurance will cover the Botox. But you can bet that I'd do it in a second if I'd already covered all of my bases. I actually have them save a little bit to inject in my "crows feet" and whoopee they're magically gone!

 

[bear74]

I was diagnoisied with migaines 3 years ago. I tired all the currnet meds at that time and Maxalt worked best for me. I have noticied that spring and fall are my worse times. That and the time of the month. I went to an allergist and i am only mildly allergic to certain pollens. But I get real bad HA's when certain pollens start showing up. Elm, ash, oak. Mold sometimes as well. I also noticed certain foods particularlly aspartane. I was trying to diet when I had a month of migraines i did a food diary and then started cutting out the foods that had aspartne and it helped some. MSG is another trigger.

For me at work (Hospital) I try caffeine(coke) some times it works just like taking excedrine migraine as that is the ingredient. Some times Aleeve then 2hrs later Advil liguid gels. sometimes allergy meds. some times i make an ice pack and put it on my neck. or those thrmacares on my neck.

 

[Poohnatic]

I figured out this summer thatn being overheated can cause me to have more headaches. Not good when I spend a lot of my summer weekends watch my son's baseball team.

That was my first indicator that I had migraines when I was a kid. We called them 'heat headaches'. I quoted you because I wondered if you've ever used a 'cool wrap' (they sell them at WDW), those neck wraps that you soak in cold water, then put around your neck? It's amazing how much those things help me-and I'm in the Florida heat in the summer.

Suzanne