by Nesreen Suwan, M.D. 

 

The new hope for headache sufferers made up the most exciting news in 2010 when Botox injection was approved for the treatment of chronic migraines. In July 2010, U.K. drug regulators became the first in the world to approve the wrinkle treatment as a way to prevent migraines. 

 

The approval in the UK was followed by FDA approval in the US in October. While migraines pills and injections helped some people, the availability of this new treatment option has been long awaited by patients and practitioners alike because migraine is debilitating chronic neurological disorder that affect over 30 million Americans, at ages of their peak productivity.

 

In clinical trials, patients were given BOTOX injections into specific head and neck muscles every 12 weeks.

After 24 weeks, those treated with BOTOX had fewer days with a migraine than those who received the placebo treatment.

 

The final results were published in reputable headache medical journal in May this year. Injections of BOTOX are commonly associated with smoothing out and easing pain of wrinkles. It has been reported to be the most common aesthetic medical procedure. However, migraine authorities made it clear that the treatment should only be administered only by specialized professionals, not those who typically use it for cosmetic purposes. This is related to the fact that migraine is a neurological disorder, and there are many challenges in recognizing, diagnosing and treating migraine. As such, they are supposed to be evaluated and treated by specialized professionals.

 

As a neurologist and headache specialist, I have been using BOTOX injection for over 15 years for many neurological conditions, including chronic headache management with great success. BOTOX approval for the treatment of chronic migraines is extremely significant for me and my patients.

 

Over the years, BOTOX has been used off label for chronic migraines in US. However, a growing number of insurance companies have been covering the costs of BOTOX injections. The reasonable cost of BOTOX injections versus the huge cost , and potential side effects of other daily headache treatments coupled with disability, and work loss caused by debilitating migraines, made BOTOX a great choice. 

 

With this exciting breakthrough news about the effectiveness of BOTOX injection in managing chronic migraines, there is no reason to suffer of debilitating migraines, or to cope with endless side effects of daily medications.

 

It is a huge step forward and new day for all chronic headache sufferers who have the right to enjoy more crystal clear headache free days. As BOTOX had been easing the cosmetic pain of wrinkles, now it is the time to ease the pain and burden of chronic migraines. 

 

Dr Nesreen Suwan, is Loyola trained American Board certified Neurologist.  She is board certified in Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and Pain Medicine, with extra certification in Headache medicine, and BOTOX treatment. Dr Suwan specializes in treatment of headaches, migraines and fibromyalgia. She is Director of Advanced Chicago Headache and Fibromyalgia Center in Suburban Lisle at 2867 Ogden. Dr. Suwan is highly recognized as a headache specialist and she is nationally known speaker in her field.