Botox Update...

Well, I got the Botox shots yesterday for my headaches, and now I am waiting for the Zen to set in.  I am hoping for well-being to wash over me as my headaches gradually disappear...(at least this is my fantasy!)The shots were not as bad as I expected, but not exactly fun. I've had various injections before (cortisone in my neck vertebrae) and experienced the discomfort of dry needling, a very deep form of muscle stimulation, so I think I'm a little more accustomed to being poked and prodded.

The neurologist started with six injections in my forehead (which were unpleasant but bearable), for which I was lying down.  Then I had to sit up and he did 2-3 injections in each temple.  Then he did the back of my head, doing several injections in the scalp at the back of the head (above the neck), followed by several at the top of my neck and down the back of my neck.  Then two more in each trapezoid.  The ones in the forehead and scalp hurt the worst, but it is a fine gauge needle, so it isn't horrible and the injections are very quick.  

He didn't inject my SCM's (head turning muscles) as I was concerned about difficulty driving and turning my head.

Last night I felt sore and achy at the injection sites. Today is the same and I also feel incredibly tired, perhaps from all the emotion and worry I had about getting the shots.  

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Update on Friday:

The injections seem to have triggered a flare up in my head pain and I now have a brutal headache and extremely stiff and very sore neck. I feel as bad today as I do on my worst neck and head pain days.  Great. I talked to the nurse at my clinic and she thinks the injections flared me up and hopefully it will all settle in a week or so as the Botox takes effect.

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It went much smoother than I expected and I didn't need to be so worried, but I was still glad I brought David to drive me home.  I felt a little drained and beaten up afterwards...!

So far, I don't feel any change in my head pain nor in muscle paralysis.  I can still move my forehead to make a frown but notice it is getting a little stiffer.  I will use my forehead as the measure of when the muscle paralysis fully sets in.  The neurologist said it will take 2 or 3 days to take effect and online I have read it can be up to a week.  He did recommend that if I have any relief, I should come back in three months for more injections as often the second time is more effective.  Next time I will get more units too.

Just an update...I promise to let you know as my headaches magically disappear...(I can only hope)!

Thank you ALL for your supportive comments and for sharing your own headache stories.  It is so nice to know one is not alone, but also sad to hear of your pain.  What a lot of brave people you are!

So hang in there and I will keep you posted on my progress. If it works for me, maybe you can try it too?!