5 week Post-Botox Follow-up

Those that know my plight with migraines keep asking me "so how's that Botox working out?" and if you follow this blog, you're probably wondering the same thing.  So, I'll fill you in. ;)

The first couple of weeks following the Botox I didn't really notice any improvement and was a little discouraged to say the least.  I was still having almost daily migraines (my average has been 3-5 days of migraine per week, sometimes 7 days) and I not only didn't feel well, but I also didn't feel like posting such a grim update.  But, the third week started out with 2 days of migraine and then, lo and behold, I made it 5 days before the next bout.  Week 4 was the same...2 days of migraine (coincidentally the same days of the week) and then 5 days of no migraine.  And now, as of today, I've made it 6 days!

I had my 1 month follow-up with my Neuro on Monday and he said he has seen Botox have a cumulative effect with his patients.  Now, I haven't read anything of the sort, but he swears he has many patients who notice better and better results with each subsequent series of injections (which you get every 3 months) and says he even has a patient who I believe he said has been through 6 series and is not getting any migraines, nor has she returned for the 7th series!  So, we shall see where this leads, but 6 series of injections is about a year and a half away!

48 hrs Post-Botox...

Ok...Botox injections were a little over 48 hrs ago.  The toxin has further spread through the injected muscles...I know this because I can feel the difference when I raise my eyebrows or try to make an "angry face."

Observe "Angry Face."  Notice my forehead barely wrinkles, especially between the brows.

It can take approx. 4 days to notice an effect, so I'm not shaking my angry fist too hard at the fact that I currently have a migraine.  It's not a horrid, go hide in a dark room and try not to puke up your dinner migraine, but it's uncomfortable nonetheless.  I can most likely attribute this one to hormones, as the sky seems to be clear and no storms are on the immediate horizon.  I think I may have a regular headache on top of it, because my forehead kind of hurts and I can feel a little temple pain on the opposite side.  If it gets much worse, I'll pop a Maxalt and suffer the side effects.  Let's hope this is one of my last migraines for a long time!  ::fingers crossed::

Botox for Migraines...

Yes, yes...it's another medical journey for me!  Today, I got injections of Botox in an attempt to reduce my migraines.

Here you can see my pincushion forehead

I received approx 20 injections total (I could be missing a couple).  8 to the forehead, 2 on either side of my head (4 total), and (here's where the numbers get fuzzy) I believe 4 to the base of my skull, and then 4 more down the sides of my neck (2 each side).  I'll admit it...they hurt.  I mean, what did I expect...he was forcing liquid (toxic liquid at that) into my muscles.  Think back to the last time you got a vaccination...maybe Tetanus   Yeah..it hurts.  My forehead seems to have calmed down a bit (got the shots 4 1/2 hrs ago), but my neck muscles are rather sore when I move my head side to side.

There hasn't been any immediate effect.  I can still make an "angry face" and cause plenty of wrinkles between my brows, but the Dr did tell me it would take a few days for the toxin (or did he try to call it medicine? :P) to spread out into the muscles.  As you can see by the photo, when I left his office, I had several swollen bumps...he was sure to tell me not to try to massage the injection sites...just wait.

I am to continue my current med routine for migraines, which includes Gabapentin (1200mg/day in three divided doses), which is an anticonvulsant, and Maxalt 10mg as a rescue drug.  Neither are fabulous helpers, thus the Botox.  At some point, I'll get into my migraine history with you so you can either relate to me and we can hold a pity party or you can just sit on the outskirts of the pity party and feel sorry for me. lol  But, just for reference on WHY I'm doing Botox...I'm a 3-5 days of migraine per week sufferer...or maybe I should change that to *was* ;)

Long time, no update...

So...now that I am about to venture into another medical journey, it dawned on me that I never gave an update post-endoscopy from my surgery last year!  Gasp!  So, here's my update in a nutshell:


I am still off antacids/proton pump inhibitors, both OTC and Rx!


I think we got to the bottom of the horrid stomach aches (and diarrhea)- at my post-endoscopy visit with the APRN, she reviewed my file from my previous Gastro Doc...turns out, I have Lymphocytic Colitis, which for all intents and purposes causes those symptoms.  It's a life long disease and though the cause is not known, some experts believe it to be an autoimmune disorder.  It's something that normally only happens to adults 60+ yrs old...and I'm essentially half that age.  After my last colonoscopy, my Gastro Doc had reported to me over the phone that I had "a little colitis."  She failed to mention the full diagnosis AND it's lifelong implications.  So, now I'm more aware.  Thankfully, I don't suffer daily like many LC sufferers do...I tend to have "flare-ups" instead.  But, thankfully, I did NOT have any serious side effect from the surgery.  So, if you happen to be reading my blog because you're researching Nissen Fundoplication surgery, I encourage you to disregard my complaints of severe stomach pain. ;)


And yes, the intense shoulder pain from the CO2 did eventually go away....though I will admit, it took a very long time.  I am thankful that we can only have memories of having pain, but not actually relive it when we recall it.


Well...that's my story and I'm stickin' to it!  My next medical adventure?  Botox for migraines...