Closing The Door On The Botox Option
Well, I had my second Botox treatment last week. I meant to blog about it then, but with all the problems with my web host, it got lost in the shuffle.
I handled it somewhat better. No passing out this time. However, knowing about the 22 shots and what was coming was worse, I think. I felt very ill the whole time, very light-headed. It wasn’t nearly as interesting an experience. I did keep trying to focus on my happy thought, which happened to be Pugly since I was going to go see him immediately after. 
The good news is that I kind of think that the Topomax in combination with the Botox is working. The bad news is that my insurance, Anthem, will not be covering my Botox treatment anymore after July 1rst. That little tiny vial which only contains an even tinier amount of toxin currently only costs me a $30 co-pay every few months, but it would cost $600 without the insurance. Mind you, Botox is the treatment of last resort for migraine sufferers; it’s the option doctors take when medications don’t work. This is not something I want to inject into my body. Heck, I don’t even like taking medications. Every time I get to drop a medication from my daily list, I’m ecstatic. I used to be one of those people who was into the whole all-natural lifestyle idea.
So, I guess I’m upset that I pay for insurance that repeatedly thinks it’s not cost effective to treat my conditions. I understand that I’m the expensive end of the gamble, but maybe the guy across from my cubicle never goes to the doctor. I don’t smoke. I don’t drink. I’ve never done illegal drugs. There’s no risk of pregnancy or STDs. All I ask is that I get what I pay for, which is often more than my co-pay.
I’m tired of someone deciding whether or not my daily agony fits on his bottom line.
tags: botox, topomax, migraine, health insurance
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on March 31, 2006 at 10:34 am
Tamara said:
That is a bummer! I wonder why they made that change.
I loved acupuncture, but this sounds decidedly less pleasant.
My good news is that switching from Yasmin to Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo seems to be helping. I haven’t had a migraine in two weeks and didn’t get one at all while on my last TOM (which happened to coincide with our Vegas trip, and I was very nervous about that, because I didn’t want to either be out of commission or miserable on our vacation!).
Hope you can find a continued solution. Maybe the Botox got you through the adjustment period with the Topamax, and now that will be sufficient.
on June 9, 2006 at 3:37 pm
Margaret Ross said:
Hi there- was just looking at your blog after a recent migraine got me thinking about trepanation and migraine + trepanation on google led me to you. I’m a migraine sufferer as well, who’s been doing well with a combo of strict diet, beta blockers and riboflavin. I’m writing to mention the riboflavin. I’ve had migraines for 7 years now, with about 4 serious knock down drag out days per month and about 20 days with some pain and symptoms.
Anyhow, I got in the habit of asking every health care practitioner I came into contact with about treatment for migraines- I’m sure you know why- info is so lumpy out there. It was actually a pediatrician at the school clinic when I was in grad school who mentioned that he’d been treating children with migraine with megadoses of riboflavin (200 mgs, 2x per day- total 400mg/day) after some german researchers had found it safe and efficacious in 2004. Riboflavin is vitamin B2, is water soluble (there’s no toxicity limit- your body excretes what it doesn’t need), is widely available in vitamin stores, and is cheap!
It takes about 3 months to become fully effective- I don’t know why- but when it did, I went from having symptoms every day, to not having symptoms at all, and having migraines (mild ones- if you can imagine that) about every 6 months. It was completely amazing.
I’m pregnant now, and am no longer taking beta blockers, and have reduced my dosage to 100mgs per day of B2, and just got my first migraine in a long time. I still have it now, but it’s not the agonizing nauseating electrocuting hot wire of pain that runs through my head and makes me vomit. It’s just a manageable level of pain. I’m actually at work right now. (Again- not easy to believe.)
I don’t think there are any contraindications with botox or topomax but you could ask your doc. I liked the B2 because I could take it while on beta blockers.
I had a friend who had wonderful success with botox. I hope it works for you, too.
on June 9, 2006 at 4:03 pm
n. mallory said:
Thanks for the advice. I’ll have to check into the riboflavin. I am very much trying to switch over to homeopathic remedies at the moment.
I tell you, migraines will drive you and the people who love you crazy trying to find remedies. Two nights ago, my mother, a very practical nurse, who never believed in homeopathy and was deadset against my trying chiroprators, was telling me about a study in magnet therapy that did very well with migraines!
on December 5, 2006 at 2:16 pm
Brad said:
Hi,
First off, I hope you have found some relief. I am in that same process of trying to find some sort of relief for my beautiful wife who has had migraines for almost 17 years. She too has the long list of prevenatives and treaments, she’s tried the accupuncture and the chiropractors (who told her there was nothing else they could do since their adjustments were just making her migraines worse) We’ve been to the ER twice so far this month for her to get a cocktail of magnesium, caffiene, toridol and reglin…… this eases her, but it’s just an expensive bandaid. She has been getting Botox for several years, which was covered by her insurance, but we have now moved to a new city and have new jobs and her nor my insurance cover the botox. We’re into the 4th month here (she was getting injections every two months) and the migraines are just getting terrible……. i mean, pain of at least a 2 going all the way to 9 …..everyday. I dont believe its the new city or new job, cause those are actually pretty good…… i believe it truely is the lack of Botox. It’s absolutely mind blowing that the insurance companies wont work with the patient… I was wondering if you had found anything else out with the Botox as far as maybe an insurance company that would cover it? I’m doing everything I can to try and find something……. I hope that you can find some relief……….. We were leaving the hospital the other night, and she turns to me and says……… “wow, it’s down to a 3……I’ve forgotten what it was like to feel like this”……… now, to the rest of the world, a 3 hurts…… she was GLAD to be a 3……. It breaks my heart….. Please Lord, let this all go away for all of us…..
on December 5, 2006 at 2:18 pm
Tamara said:
Brad,
Did your wife try a beta blocker. My migraines have dramatically reduced in both severity and frequency, and the occasional one I do get responds quite well to Relpax now. I’m taking the smallest dose of Atenelol, 25 mg.
Good luck to your wife. This is a horrible affliction.
on December 5, 2006 at 2:21 pm
Brad said:
also….. we’ve recently gone to the local vitamin shop and gotten a product called “migra-eeze” which is a combo of B2, Butterbur and ginger….. but we’re only a couple weeks into that, so we’ll see……….
on December 5, 2006 at 2:27 pm
Brad said:
Wow! I’m soooooo happy that you have found something that works for you! That’s amazing! That gives me hope, because reading your blog, was like, well, reading our own story…. thank you.
on December 5, 2006 at 2:28 pm
Tamara said:
Thanks. I’m just a commenter, though, not the blogger. Keep trying!
on December 5, 2006 at 2:40 pm
n. mallory said:
I’m currently refocusing on nutrition and am going to my first acupuncture session later this month. The nutritionists are actually supposed to be helping me with my fibro, but they are researching some natural supplements to add to my daily regimen for the migraines too — everything I take has to be researched first now because of my kidney disease.
I am also reluctantly cutting down on my caffeine and cutting out my aspartame. I say reluctantly because I’ve done this before and didn’t see any change with the migraines, but this time I’m doing it for the fibro. There’s just something wrong with half a scoop of decaf in my coffee maker every morning.
I’ve totally been where your wife is. I told my father once that I couldn’t remember not being in pain.
One thing that worked for a friend of mine with similar headaches was 2 Tylenol and 3 Advil taken with a 12oz Coke. However, I think that works best when the migraine is a 1-3.
I have found that Topomax has cut down the level and frequency of my migraines, though I haven’t gotten rid of them. I have been taking B-12 every day as well, which I read helps.
You mention ginger. My nutritionists say that ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory as is turmeric. You can add them to your soups and such every day, but they do take a month or two to build up in your system.
Magnesium and potassium are also supposed to be very good at derailing migraines in the long run. If they’re giving her magnesium in the ER, she might have a magnesium deficiency.
And I do occasionally have some temporary success applying peppermint oil to the pain-ridden areas. Peppermint oil is a natural pain-number.
I wish your wife much luck.