Botulinum Toxin Injectables for Migraine in Sydney by Dr Kernohan
- Are you dealing with chronic migraines?
- Are you struggling to find a cure for chronic migranes?
- Interested in how muscle relaxant injections work for migraines?
Botulinum toxin is a popular treatment to correct wrinkles and fine lines. However, did you know that these injections can also be used to treat chronic migraines? U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved botulinum toxin injections to be used for the treatment of migraines in 2010.
Specialist plastic surgeon Dr Michael Kernohan offers muscle relaxant injections for migraines in Sydney. If the conventional treatments have failed to work for you in the past, you might want to give muscle relaxant injections a try.
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How Are Muscle Relaxant Injections Used to Treat Migraine?
Licensed medical professionals treat migraines by injecting botulinum toxin into multiple areas around the head and neck. The treatments are approved for select people aged 18 and older who experience 15 or more headache days per month, with 8 migraine days, sustained over a 6 month period. It may take up to 6 months after treatment before you see a reduction in the frequency of your migraines. More than one set of injections may be needed!
These treatments can be effective in minimising the symptoms of migraine: nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to lights, sounds, and smells. It is injected into the areas that are involved in migraine pain.
Your body releases neurotransmitters and molecules associated with pain when you are experiencing migraine. Botulinum toxin interferes with the transmission of these substances. It essentially affects nerve endings by blocking the release of chemicals that are involved in pain transmission. The results may start to become evident in about 10 to 15 days post-treatment. There are instances where a single treatment isn’t enough to cure migraine and additional treatments are required. Various studies have confirmed that muscle relaxant injections is a highly, safe, effective, and well-tolerated treatment for migraines.
Why Do I Need Muscle Relaxant Injections for Migraine Treatment?
These treatments have been proven to be effective in clinical trials and can be a safe way to treat chronic migraines. If medications and lifestyle changes haven’t worked for you and your doctor determines that you have chronic migraines, these injections might be the right option for you. It is important to note that there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to treating migraines. There is a significant variation in the efficacy as well as the frequency of treatments.
Migraine Treatment with Injectables
The specialist will inject the muscle relaxant substance into the tiny muscles around your face, head, and neck with the help of a very fine needle. In most cases, the substance is injected into the forehead, temples, and back of your head and neck. There are times when the injections will be targeted at your trigger points. Treatments for chronic migraines are highly personalised, keeping in mind the unique anatomy and trigger points of each patient. The treatment can take several weeks to work before you start experiencing relief from migraines. Moreover, the substance doesn’t last forever, and you will need to get a new session of injections every few months. Some patients can discontinue injections and migraines are not coming back, while others need regular treatments along with muscle relaxant injections to avoid the chronic pain.
What to Expect after Getting Muscle Relaxant Injections for Migraines
The injections are almost painless. You are most likely to experience a slight sting or maybe a very little burning sensation when the injection is administered.
The whole treatment session will last anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes. During the process, Dr Kernohan will inject multiple doses of the substance into specific points in your head, neck and shoulders. Post the treatment, most people are able to continue with their day-to-day living without any problems.
Frequency of Muscle Relaxant injections for Migraine Prevention
If you plan to undergo muscle relaxant injections for migraine, you might need a new session of injections once every three months. In some cases, injections are administered more frequently to be deemed effective. Post-treatment, some people are able to see significant improvement without the need of getting injections every three months while others might require them more often. Based on your unique response, Dr Kernohan will devise a treatment plan for you.
Risks of Using Muscle Relaxant Injections for Migraines
Muscle relaxant injections aren’t safe to be used by pregnant women and nursing mothers. Some patients have rare conditions affecting their muscle metabolism and should avoid this product. They should also be avoided by those who have an allergy to cow’s milk. When administered by an experienced and credible healthcare professional, they are typically deemed as a highly effective treatment. Common side effects include slight pain, bruising or swelling on the injected side. These side effects usually fade away in a couple of days. Other possible side effects include headache, flulike symptoms, dry eye, watery eyes, drooping on one eyelid, brow or one side of the mouth, and drooling.
Serious complications can occur if the toxin spreads into your body. Reach out to your doctor right away if you experience vision problems, muscle weakness, trouble swallowing, difficulty speaking, uncontrollable bladder, or trouble breathing. This is exceptionally rare.
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Muscle Relaxant Injections for Migraines Cost Sydney – How Much Are Muscle Relaxant Injections for Migraines in Sydney?
If you struggle with chronic migraine, this is one of many possible choices of treatments available to you. Your doctor will typically recommend muscle relaxant injections if other treatments haven’t worked for you in the past. The treatment is also recommended for people who are unable to tolerate migraine meds.
In case other preventative treatments have proven to be ineffective for you, you can reach out to Dr Kernohan to discuss your treatment options. The process is super quick, easy, and effective. It is a low-risk procedure that can serve as a ticket to symptom-free days.
The cost of muscle relaxant injections for migraines varies significantly based on the experience and expertise of the service provider, your geographical location, and the number and frequency of treatments needed. Luckily, a lot of insurance providers cover the cost of muscle relaxant injections for migraines.
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FAQs about Muscle Relaxant Injections for Migraines
Here is a list of frequently asked questions we get regarding muscle relaxant injections for migraines:
What you shouldn’t do before getting muscle relaxant injections for migraines?
- There isn’t a lot of prep involved when it comes to getting muscle relaxant injections for migraines. It is advised to stop consuming any OTC drugs and supplements at least a week before the treatment. If you have gotten muscle relaxant injections in the past four months, inform your service provider ahead of time.
What you shouldn’t do after muscle relaxant injections for migraines?
- Aftercare is fairly minimal after getting muscle relaxant injections for migraines. Avoid lying down for 3 to 4 hours post-treatment. Stay clear of saunas, hot tubs, strenuous exercises tanning beds for at least 24 hours as they can worsen the bruising. Do not rub the treatment site. Other than that, you can pretty much continue with your day-to-day life.
How many times does it take for muscle relaxant injections to work for migraines?
- It’s important to keep in mind that you won’t get instant relief after resorting to this treatment. Muscle relaxant injections can usually take 3 to 4 weeks to work, and this is the time it will take for you to actually witness a reduction in the frequency of your migraines. Sometimes, more than one set of injections is needed to see a difference.
Where is muscle relaxant substance injected to treat migraines?
- The injection points can vary based on the unique anatomy and trigger points of the patients. Typically, the substance is injected into 7 specific muscle areas around your head and neck to prevent and relieve migraine. Expect to get injections in the forehead, bridge of the nose, temples, neck, head, and sometimes above the shoulder blades.
How long after getting muscle relaxant injections for migraine can I wash my hair?
- You will be instructed to avoid rubbing the injected areas. You can wash your hair 24 hours after the treatment. However, take special care and avoid rubbing the injection site aggressively.
Should I rest after getting muscle relaxant injections for migraines?
- While not needed, it is recommended to take a day off from work. It can help prevent infections and allow complete absorption of the substance into the treated areas. If your job is physically demanding, take a day off. With that being said, avoid vigorous exercises as well.
How should I sleep after muscle relaxant injections?
- Sleep on your back as it will allow muscle relaxant injections to settle into your muscles. Laying on your front can lead to spreading of the injectable and unsatisfactory results.
What is the success rate of muscle relaxant injections for migraines?
- Studies show that approximately 65% of people see improvement in their migraine symptoms following muscle relaxant injections headache treatment.
