Migraines are a beast. If you’ve ever had one, you know how utterly debilitating they can be, and you know that you never want to have one again. However, if you are one of the unlucky ones that regularly suffers from migraines, you need to get the condition treated. You don’t deserve to live your life in constant fear of when the next migraine is going to hit.
There are multiple treatments for migraines, each depending on the root cause of the problem. However, the cause is often genetic. If you have tried medication and other simple techniques given by your doctor and nothing has worked, your doctor might refer you to us. In this post we will compare and contrast two of the treatments available: Botox and surgery.
Botox for migraines
Although Botox most commonly used to tighten wrinkles, it is now being used for many medical purposes, including improved vision and — most importantly for you — treating migraines. The use of Botox for headaches and migraines was actually accidental, as patients using the muscle-paralyzing injections to stop the facial muscle contractions that cause wrinkles reported that they also had a decrease in headaches.
You will be given Botox injections every 3 months in multiple locations. Your doctor will make sure that you are given the proper dosage. Once the causal location is found, Botox injections might keep you migraine-free or reduce the severity for up to three months at a time.
Migraine surgery
A fairly new procedure, migraine surgery has been developed and refined just in the past decade. It is usually the last-resort for the treatment, all candidates must have been evaluated by a neurologist to ensure that there are no other reasons for the condition and that all other treatments have been adequately attempted.
Essentially, the surgery focuses on eliminating the pressure on certain nerves in your head that is causing the migraines. These nerves are called trigger points. Your doctor will talk to you about which trigger point surgery is the right choice for you and what exactly will happen during the surgery.
If you’ve tried all the other options for treating your migraine, talk to your doctor about the possibility of trying Botox or even surgery. These treatments can help you start living your life again, without the fear of migraines.
