Chronic Migraine – Botulinum Injections

- WHAT TO EXPECT

Injections of Botulinum Toxin have been proven in clinical trials to improve headache in patients with chronic migraine. The treatment is PBS-reimbursed (meaning the government will cover the high cost of the botulinum toxin and part of the procedure cost through medicare) – Only if the injections are performed by a trained Neurologist and:

  • Have 15 or more days of headache per month, of which at least 8 are migraines
  • Have tried 3 or more other preventative medications for migraine without success

Contact our staff to see if this treatment is suitable for you.

The injections are into 31 sites in the scalp, neck and shoulders. A patient’s suitability for botulinum toxin injections is assessed at an initial appointment of approximately 40 minutes, and they will be booked for a later appointment to receive the injections if they are felt to be a good candidate. Medicare covers the cost of the botulinum toxin but there is a gap for the assessment and injection process.

5 Quick things you should know about Botox treatment

  • It prevents headaches and migraines before they even start. Botulinum injections prevents on average 8 or 9 headache days and migraine/probable migraine days a month.
  • It’s given every 12 weeks. It will take 2 treatments, 12 weeks apart to determine how well botulinum toxin is working for you.
  • It’s a small needle. The injections feel like tiny pinpricks.
  • It’s injected by a Botulinum Toxin Specialist. This is a doctor who’s experienced in treating with botulinum toxin.
  • The injections take about 15 minutes, and are done right in our doctor’s office.

Why see a specialist?

  • Not all doctors are trained to treat headache disorders like Chronic Migraine, so if you’re living with it, it’s important to find a Headache Specialists that focuses specifically on headache disorders, making them the best person to help you figure out a treatment plan. The government will only cover injections performed by a trained Neurologist.
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