impacts of botox injections for pain

[spitfire2]

I had a left temporal lobectomy for refractory epilepsy and a brain tumor, and have had chronic pain from the craniotomy for the past three and a half years.   Has anyone tried botox injections to address such pain?  I have read mixed reviews...some people got headaches from the injections, one person had a seizure, and others were helped.  I would die to get some help for this horrible pressure/tightness around my forehead, on top of my head, and around my eyes, and around the incision from the craniotomy.  But I worry about seizures...the last thing I want is to trigger a seizure, considering my medical history, and liklihood of recurring seizures.  Has anyone had any experience with botox??  Any help is appreciated....I am so tired of pain....Thanks much

[Narble]

I haven't been given Botox injections because I'm not a good candidate. I did however discuss Botox and other forms of injection therapy with several of my doctors. The source of my chronic pain remains a mystery, though it's not a result of surgery. I have a seizure disorder, but it's well controlled with standard meds and deemed unrelated to my chronic pain disorder by my docs.

Emedicine on Medscape has a thorough intro to Botulinum toxin in pain management: emedicine.medscape.com/article/325574-overview.

[spitfire2]

Forgot to ask also: what are the differences b/tw different different botox injections? Thanks

[spitfire2]

Thanks for your reply...it is appreciated greatly.  Have you personally tried botox injections, and what have you heard regarding help for pain?  Is your pain also a result of a craniotomy (or surgery?)   My focus is the tightness across my forehead and around my eyes..I can live with the soreness around my scar.  I have a hard time looking up, and far off into the distance, but I know this is not a migraine, as I occaisionally have migraines on top of this.  Had migraines much more often for the first 6months right after surgery; I do not have a history of headaches/migranines at all, i.e. never had them before surgery.   The anesthesiologist I see at RUSH pain center does not think botox will help, but at this point I'm willing to try anything (except something that has a fairly likely risk of initiating seizures)
Thanks again

[Narble]

I'm familiar with situations like yours, though mine is different. There are several different types of botulinum toxin used in pain management, Botox being just one of them. Seizures from treatment with botulinum toxin are a rare side effect, but certainly worth discussing with your doctor(s). As with any treatment, there are risks. You just have to weigh those against the possible benefits.