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768044 tn?1294223436

Botox combined with other treatments?

Hi!

The other day I had an appointment with my neurologist and I asked him about botox injections for my migraines. I get 15+ migraines a month (usually around 17). My migraines interfere with every aspect of my life... so I am really looking for a treatment that works. I have heard good things about botox from friends... and so I would like to give it a try. I am currently taking topamax. Before topamax I tried valproic acid and before that I tried amitriptyline. On the topamax my migraines are currently happening still 15+ a month. Hence wanting to try something else too...

When I asked my neurologist about the botox, he said that I couldn't mix the topamax and botox treatments. I hadn't heard this before. He said that in the clinical trials, the people who were on a comination of treatments showed worse results. So, he said that he would not treat me with both.

But, had I not told my GP what my neurologist had said... he would have probably given me the botox injections. And my ENT dr. will still give me the botox injections. And the two clinic doctors I see will still give me the botox injections for migraines. So... none of them had heard of... or really thought it was that important... about not mixing treatments. My GP of course is going to listen to my neurologist of course though. But... anyway. It just struck me as odd that only my neurologist mentioned the not mixing treatments to me. But, then again, it  makes sense because he is the specialist in the area of migraines...

So... I want to know if anyone else is being treated with both and what your results are. And... if anyone can point me in the direction of reliable written information about not mixing treatments. I trust my neurologist... but, I also know that a whole lot of other people I know who have mixed botox and other treatments have had good results so I'm just confused and want some clarification.

Thanks! Any shared information on the topic would be great!! Or opinions!! Or thoughts!!! :)
2 Responses
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768044 tn?1294223436
Thanks for the reply!

Have you found that the botox injections have improved your migraine situation? Have you found that the botox reduced the number of migraines you had per month? Would you personally recommend botox injections as a treatment option to a fellow migraine sufferer?
Helpful - 0
775732 tn?1246125144
Hi marileew
I'm sorry to hear your neuro won't combo your botox w/ topomax ?  I, myself, am on a high dosage of topamax for my seizures, everyday.  And I do receive the botox injections every 3 months.  My neuro knows of my topamax he put me on it, it made no difference. I also stayed on all my other meds.  He puts the injections in the neck and head spots.  You can ask for a topical numbing shot prior.  If you get too much in the neck, at least my experience - your muscles aren't used to holding  your head - it's weird.  It's okay though, you just have to be ready for that extra head holding thing.  At least in my case.  Maybe others had better experiences.  Sorry if this got too wordy. Still rec'ing botox.  Hope you can too, if you that is what you want.
Serenity 113
Helpful - 0
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