r/migraine • u/Certain_Vamp_17 • 7h ago
First round Botox... still got a migraine a week later?
Hi everyone. I know I'm asking the impossible of why this hasn't worked but I was wondering if this is normal and if it will kick in more or if I'm doomed.
I have tmj and usually get 1 bad migraine on the left side of my face every week. Like clockwork.
My jaw is set wrong so one side points to the left and the other more to the right, which means at night I put pressure on the left side of my teeth. Usually bc of bruxism.
A week ago I got my first botox. 8 injections in my jaw and back of the head. Now it worked like a charm for this week but today. Bam Migraine that hurt like he'll on my temple and my jaw tense af on the left side.
I wasn't sure if botox would help but I haven't been able to take any preventative meds due to the fact that we didn't know if the migraines were jaw induced or neurological... Indomethacin also would wreck my stomach.
Anyone got any thoughts on this? Maybe I just expected too much. It's also exam season so I'm hunched over a laptop 9 hours in a day.
Love and take care you all <3
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u/broccoli-1 7h ago edited 6h ago
Migraine botox generally takes 2-3 rounds to work (if it does) & 7-10 days to kick in. That means 6-9 months, so if it doesn't work after 1 week, no panic! If you only got the injections into your jaw & the problem was your jaw triggering your migraines I'd guess you may get effects earlier, but still, I don't think 1 week is the expected time. Did your doc not say anything about timelines? Any self respecting doc would tell their patient what to expect :/ sorry you're in pain, I understand how hard it is with incoming finals (currently in that situation too)!!
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u/Certain_Vamp_17 5h ago
Ohhh.... what?? That sounds like... okay I was freaking out. Well he's (un) fortunately the only neurologist in my area who specializes in migraine treatments. He's the more let's try this out type of guy. But Im super glad redditors are at least here to tell me what doctors seem to forget 😭 Omg yes... do your migraines also flare up worse during finals? Any tips on how to make it a bit easier to manage? (All the best to you too!)
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u/salamandas411 7h ago
I'm so sorry you're in pain.
It takes 7-10 days to kick in but for it to work fully it can take up to 3 rounds.
Botox works great for me but it's definitely not my only preventative. It helps the muscle tension but doesn't eliminate it entirely and the muscle tension will then trigger a migraine. However, I don't experience the same tension that you do with my jaw.
I hope it helps for you. ❤️🙏
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u/Certain_Vamp_17 5h ago
Yikes... a lot of people have said this on the thread so... thanks for confirming! May ask what other preventative you would recommend? I also figured I might have to mix and match medications until I figure out a way.
🥰🙏 thank you and take care
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u/salamandas411 4h ago
Your doctors would have to make their recommendations based on your diagnosis. You'll see by searching on this sub that many of us are on injectable CGRPs and/or oral meds along with Botox.
For muscle tension I also do physical therapy and I have muscle relaxants.
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u/hypermobilehoneybee 6h ago
It takes 2-3 rounds of Botox to work, and working with your neurologist to find where the worst areas are.
For your bruxism/TMJ, seek out an oral surgeon. They’ll be able to target the jaw more effectively with Botox. Do you sleep with a night guard?
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u/hyst808 7h ago edited 1h ago
Botox takes 7 days to take effect and can take 3 rounds before you see full effects for migraine. It's also not 100%. I'm finding that botox decreases the frequency and severity of my migraines but not to 0, unfortunately. I'd also mention that you had relatively few injections vs the full 31 shot migraine botox protocol, so that may also impact the results you feel.