So in July 2016 I go visit the plastic surgeon who does migraine surgery (Dr. Kevin Rose of the Rose Clinic in Provo, UT). Armed with the information that I have a deviated septum and that the only nerve block that has had any measure of success at all is the SPG block (sphenopalatine ganglion) I feel we can narrow down the possible culprits much easier than before. I get his Botox injections, deeper and concentrated in very specific areas. We inject above both eyebrows and in both temples. And then we wait.
In the meantime, I am to get a CT scan of my nasal septum and sinuses.
The botox injections haven't reduced my headache days, but this time they have allowed me to hone in on the headaches and their origin a little better. They most often originate behind my left eye. But if my septum is deviated towards the right side then why are my headaches starting behind my left eye?
I follow-up with Dr. Rose and see the images from the CT scan. I have a bone spur on the left side of my septum deep inside in my nose.
Showing posts with label botox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label botox. Show all posts
Friday, December 30, 2016
Friday, July 29, 2011
Botox: 2 months in
I really do like my neurologist. He is a good doctor. He is the only doctor I've ever had who has called me repeatedly to check on me. I understand that as his first botox patient he may have a professional interest in how I am doing as much as anything else. But regardless of his motives - I feel good that he calls me to check up.
I have been keeping track of not only the days I have headaches, but the severity. My scale is 1-5 (I stole my scale from the book "Chocolate & Vicodin".) 5 is obviously the most severe. The month prior to the botox shots I had 2 level 5 headaches, 7 level 4 headaches, 10 level 3 headaches, 7 level 2 headaches, and 1 level 1 headache. Not a single day without any sort of headache at all. The first month after the botox injections I had only 1 level 5, 8 level 4's, 10 level 3's, 8 level 2's, and 1 level 1 again. Still a headache every single day, though. Still it would seem like an improvement.
I had told my neurologist I didn't think it was helping as I still was having headaches. I knew that it didn't always make them go away completely, but should make them occur less frequently and with less inensity.
Is it working? I'm still not sure. And month 2 tells a very different story than month 1.
6 level 5 headaches -four of those in a row :( 10 level 4 headaches, 9 level 3's, 3 level 2, and not a single level 1. Also, a headache every single day for that month.
(In case I didn't already point this out - these botox shots are into muscle and the botox shots the plastic surgeon does are into nerves - so the outcomes from the treatments could be very different.)
I have been keeping track of not only the days I have headaches, but the severity. My scale is 1-5 (I stole my scale from the book "Chocolate & Vicodin".) 5 is obviously the most severe. The month prior to the botox shots I had 2 level 5 headaches, 7 level 4 headaches, 10 level 3 headaches, 7 level 2 headaches, and 1 level 1 headache. Not a single day without any sort of headache at all. The first month after the botox injections I had only 1 level 5, 8 level 4's, 10 level 3's, 8 level 2's, and 1 level 1 again. Still a headache every single day, though. Still it would seem like an improvement.
I had told my neurologist I didn't think it was helping as I still was having headaches. I knew that it didn't always make them go away completely, but should make them occur less frequently and with less inensity.
Is it working? I'm still not sure. And month 2 tells a very different story than month 1.
6 level 5 headaches -four of those in a row :( 10 level 4 headaches, 9 level 3's, 3 level 2, and not a single level 1. Also, a headache every single day for that month.
(In case I didn't already point this out - these botox shots are into muscle and the botox shots the plastic surgeon does are into nerves - so the outcomes from the treatments could be very different.)
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Botox : Information
I've received criticism from some regarding my desire to get medical botox and then having actually done it. People can't understand why I would put "poison" in my body. I have done my research and now I want to clear a few things up regarding "poisons" and most importantly, Botox.
There is a bacterium called Clostridium Botulinum that is most often found in spoiled food. By consuming infected food this bacteria it is able to enter your blood stream and systemic systems and can virtually attack any part of your body. Clostridium Botulinum, or Botulism, produces 7 different neurotoxins. These 7 toxins attach themselves to the axon terminals of neurons preventing the synthesis and exocytosis of the chemical messenger acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is used throughout the body, but is especially important in the innervation of muscle tissue. Without the release of acetylcholine a muscle contraction cannot occur, which means paralysis of that muscle. This is particularly troublesome if the neurons being attacked are those that innervate the muscles of respiration. If you can't breathe, you will inevitably die. This is also a serious problem if the neurons are those that innervate your heart.
Could the prevention of muscle contraction possibly be a good thing?
One cause of migraine headaches in some people is neuralgia or nerve pain. A cause of occipital and trigeminal neuralgia is that a few of those nerves (or their branches) upon leaving the skull have to pass through very narrow passageways in bone, tissue, and between muscles. If one or even many of the muscles surrounding that nerve contracts it can pinch or irritate that nerve causing nerve pain (neuralgia).
Again, I ask, could the prevention of a muscle contraction be a good thing? If those facial, cranial, and neck muscles can't contract, they can't pinch the nerve and will therefore prevent neuralgia (nerve pain).
As I said, the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum produces 7 different neurotoxins. Those neurotoxins affect many different proteins necessary in the synthesis and release of acetylcholine. Botulinum Toxin A is only ONE of those SEVEN toxins. And it only affects ONE protein. Botulinum Toxin A (Botox) is RELATED to the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum (known as botulism). But it is not botulism. It is a purified, sterilized, and diluted protein derived from Clostridium Botulinum.
Second point - I do not ingest botulism or even Botox. It is not put "IN" my body. It is put on my body. It does not enter the blood stream to then travel to other areas in my body. It does not affect other systems in the body. (Like any medicine that you might ingest.)
The amount of Botox used in medicine and cosmetics is 50 units. Because this is only one of 7 neurotoxins used by bacterium Clostridium Botulinum, and it has been diluted, purified, and sterilized, in order for Botox to be fatal a person would have to receive an injection of THOUSANDS of units DIRECTLY into the heart.
Curare is a toxin derived from a plant. It has been used for thousands of years to make the often fatal "poison darts". Curare is also used to relax muscles during anesthesia.
Purple foxglove is a poison that has been found to be a very effective heart medication.
Willow bark is toxic and causes fatal bleeding. But it is also used to prevent or minimize the effects of a heart attack as well as to prevent strokes. And has been found to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and reduce fever. In fact, millions of people consciously ingest this poison every single day (it is called aspirin).
The crocus flower is a very poisonous flower, but one of the most expensive spices in the world is derived from this flower. If you have ever intentionally eaten saffron, you could be said to have consciously ingested a poison.
Let's also not forget that whenever you get a vaccination you are getting a small or inactive amount of a particular virus injected into your body. You are getting "medicine" that has been derived from a very mean, nasty, and virulent virus. (Viruses are some of the most potent, fast-evolving, fascinating, and beautiful creatures on this planet. And they are amazing and efficient little killing machines.)
It would seem that the words "toxin or poison" and "medicine" can be synonymous. What may be "medicine" to one person may be toxic to another. And what may be toxic to one may be "medicine" to another. Or what may be toxic when used in one way is actually medicine when used another.
When I went on Cymbalta no one said to me, "Why would you put that poison in your body?" But from my personal experience ingesting Cymbalta was much more toxic to my entire body than Botox has been to the few tiny muscles it was applied to.
Also, interesting to note, studies have shown that Botox is safer than aspirin. But I bet that many of you have taken aspirin and thought nothing of it.
There is a bacterium called Clostridium Botulinum that is most often found in spoiled food. By consuming infected food this bacteria it is able to enter your blood stream and systemic systems and can virtually attack any part of your body. Clostridium Botulinum, or Botulism, produces 7 different neurotoxins. These 7 toxins attach themselves to the axon terminals of neurons preventing the synthesis and exocytosis of the chemical messenger acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is used throughout the body, but is especially important in the innervation of muscle tissue. Without the release of acetylcholine a muscle contraction cannot occur, which means paralysis of that muscle. This is particularly troublesome if the neurons being attacked are those that innervate the muscles of respiration. If you can't breathe, you will inevitably die. This is also a serious problem if the neurons are those that innervate your heart.
Could the prevention of muscle contraction possibly be a good thing?
One cause of migraine headaches in some people is neuralgia or nerve pain. A cause of occipital and trigeminal neuralgia is that a few of those nerves (or their branches) upon leaving the skull have to pass through very narrow passageways in bone, tissue, and between muscles. If one or even many of the muscles surrounding that nerve contracts it can pinch or irritate that nerve causing nerve pain (neuralgia).
Again, I ask, could the prevention of a muscle contraction be a good thing? If those facial, cranial, and neck muscles can't contract, they can't pinch the nerve and will therefore prevent neuralgia (nerve pain).
As I said, the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum produces 7 different neurotoxins. Those neurotoxins affect many different proteins necessary in the synthesis and release of acetylcholine. Botulinum Toxin A is only ONE of those SEVEN toxins. And it only affects ONE protein. Botulinum Toxin A (Botox) is RELATED to the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum (known as botulism). But it is not botulism. It is a purified, sterilized, and diluted protein derived from Clostridium Botulinum.
Second point - I do not ingest botulism or even Botox. It is not put "IN" my body. It is put on my body. It does not enter the blood stream to then travel to other areas in my body. It does not affect other systems in the body. (Like any medicine that you might ingest.)
The amount of Botox used in medicine and cosmetics is 50 units. Because this is only one of 7 neurotoxins used by bacterium Clostridium Botulinum, and it has been diluted, purified, and sterilized, in order for Botox to be fatal a person would have to receive an injection of THOUSANDS of units DIRECTLY into the heart.
Curare is a toxin derived from a plant. It has been used for thousands of years to make the often fatal "poison darts". Curare is also used to relax muscles during anesthesia.
Purple foxglove is a poison that has been found to be a very effective heart medication.
Willow bark is toxic and causes fatal bleeding. But it is also used to prevent or minimize the effects of a heart attack as well as to prevent strokes. And has been found to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and reduce fever. In fact, millions of people consciously ingest this poison every single day (it is called aspirin).
The crocus flower is a very poisonous flower, but one of the most expensive spices in the world is derived from this flower. If you have ever intentionally eaten saffron, you could be said to have consciously ingested a poison.
Let's also not forget that whenever you get a vaccination you are getting a small or inactive amount of a particular virus injected into your body. You are getting "medicine" that has been derived from a very mean, nasty, and virulent virus. (Viruses are some of the most potent, fast-evolving, fascinating, and beautiful creatures on this planet. And they are amazing and efficient little killing machines.)
It would seem that the words "toxin or poison" and "medicine" can be synonymous. What may be "medicine" to one person may be toxic to another. And what may be toxic to one may be "medicine" to another. Or what may be toxic when used in one way is actually medicine when used another.
When I went on Cymbalta no one said to me, "Why would you put that poison in your body?" But from my personal experience ingesting Cymbalta was much more toxic to my entire body than Botox has been to the few tiny muscles it was applied to.
Also, interesting to note, studies have shown that Botox is safer than aspirin. But I bet that many of you have taken aspirin and thought nothing of it.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
So far....
I think the Cymbalta withdrawals are finally starting to subside a bit. I feel normal often. Not necessarily more often than not, but, baby steps. I'm very rarely nauseous anymore. The vertigo or dizziness thing isn't quite gone. I still experience it from time to time, but it seems to be happening much less often.
The Botox ..... I'm afraid that it may be too early to tell. Friday night I had a migraine. Saturday day and into the night I had a migraine. Sunday I had a headache that turned into a migraine overnight.
I know that in some people the Botox will make their migraines go away completely, but in others it just decreases severity or frequency. At this point it's just too early to tell really.
Oh, and my cute neurologist (who doesn't seem to have much of a sense of humor) called me Monday to check on me. When I told him about my weekend he said that unfortunately it does take from 24 hours to 2 weeks to start working. But he asked about side-effects and I said that I hadn't experienced any. However, I there was one side-effect that I was really hoping for. He put one shot right in between my eyes and I still happen to have quite the little "crinkle" there from scowling so much. (I'm ornery as hell, I can't help it. Those years of endless scowls and dirty looks are taking a toll on my face.) Well, I was joking with him, but as I mentioned he doesn't have much of a sense of humor. He said when you come back for your second injection in a few months remind me about that little crinkle and we'll put extra there.
Really?
He said, yes, your insurance covers a certain number of treatments, and an over all amount, but that's all. I'll have more than enough to cover your regular injections and still ut a little extra in that spot. :) He's great.
The Botox ..... I'm afraid that it may be too early to tell. Friday night I had a migraine. Saturday day and into the night I had a migraine. Sunday I had a headache that turned into a migraine overnight.
I know that in some people the Botox will make their migraines go away completely, but in others it just decreases severity or frequency. At this point it's just too early to tell really.
Oh, and my cute neurologist (who doesn't seem to have much of a sense of humor) called me Monday to check on me. When I told him about my weekend he said that unfortunately it does take from 24 hours to 2 weeks to start working. But he asked about side-effects and I said that I hadn't experienced any. However, I there was one side-effect that I was really hoping for. He put one shot right in between my eyes and I still happen to have quite the little "crinkle" there from scowling so much. (I'm ornery as hell, I can't help it. Those years of endless scowls and dirty looks are taking a toll on my face.) Well, I was joking with him, but as I mentioned he doesn't have much of a sense of humor. He said when you come back for your second injection in a few months remind me about that little crinkle and we'll put extra there.
Really?
He said, yes, your insurance covers a certain number of treatments, and an over all amount, but that's all. I'll have more than enough to cover your regular injections and still ut a little extra in that spot. :) He's great.
Injections
I got a very happy and welcome phone call on Wednesday, June 1. My insurance company had accepted my appeal (or rather my neurologists) to be a candidate for Botox injections to relieve my migraines.
When I went in for my appointment on Thursday I was given 31 injections of Botox. 7 in my forehead, 5 in each temple, 3 around each occipital nerve, and then 4 down each side of my trapezius muscles. The needle was tiny and I could barely feel it go into my skin, but once the injection happened it got to be a bit painful.
It's not supposed to start working for about 24 hours so I didn't expect any immediate effect. I do want to note that I was the first ever Botox patient of this neurologist and his entire neurological office. But regardless of that, I think he was great.
He told me about a few side-effects. Redness, swelling at injection site, and droopy eyebrows.
I can happily say that I experienced none of those side effects.
When I went in for my appointment on Thursday I was given 31 injections of Botox. 7 in my forehead, 5 in each temple, 3 around each occipital nerve, and then 4 down each side of my trapezius muscles. The needle was tiny and I could barely feel it go into my skin, but once the injection happened it got to be a bit painful.
It's not supposed to start working for about 24 hours so I didn't expect any immediate effect. I do want to note that I was the first ever Botox patient of this neurologist and his entire neurological office. But regardless of that, I think he was great.
He told me about a few side-effects. Redness, swelling at injection site, and droopy eyebrows.
I can happily say that I experienced none of those side effects.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Potentially Great News
Spoke with my neurologists PA today and it turns out I may qualify for Botox injections to treat my migraines. The best thing about this (versus the plastic surgeon who suggested Botox injections) is that it is quite possibly covered by my insurance.
The FDA has approved Botox as an acceptable treatment for migraines in certain circumstances and Paula, my cute PA, has said that I am an excellent candidate. To be a candidate I have to:
1) have more than 15 headaches a month - CHECK
2) not respond to several preventative medications - CHECK
so she's working now with my insurance company to get it covered for me.
The FDA has approved Botox as an acceptable treatment for migraines in certain circumstances and Paula, my cute PA, has said that I am an excellent candidate. To be a candidate I have to:
1) have more than 15 headaches a month - CHECK
2) not respond to several preventative medications - CHECK
so she's working now with my insurance company to get it covered for me.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Headache Log : Headache Specialist
Ok, so latest news according to my co-worker who's wife worked with Dr Digre is that Dr Digre is a very kind, warm, and wonderful person, but she's also booked 6 months out. But the woman who works the front desk is a real witch with a capital B; so instead of simply telling me that she's booked 6 months out and will call me in a few months she was horrible to me. They also tell me she's worth the wait and she WILL call me. However, I don't know if ANYONE is worth the wait. Granted, the suicidal thoughts have subsided, but that's in large part due to the fact that I finally feel like someone cares and wants to see me - and that is my current neurologist Dr. Reichert.
So we'll see... if she calls in 6 months and I still have a chronic headache (please, God, don't let me STILL have a chronic headache 6 months from now!) then maybe I'll consider seeing her. But my suspicion is that if I still have a chronic headache 2 months from now I'll be getting Botox injections and on my way to surgery for neuralgia.
So we'll see... if she calls in 6 months and I still have a chronic headache (please, God, don't let me STILL have a chronic headache 6 months from now!) then maybe I'll consider seeing her. But my suspicion is that if I still have a chronic headache 2 months from now I'll be getting Botox injections and on my way to surgery for neuralgia.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Headache Log : Rose Clinic
So yesterday I went to the Rose Clinic and met with Dr. Rose. He's the plastic surgeon who does the Botox injections into the nerves to find out if that's the cause of the migraines and then does surgery to relieve the pressure on those nerves and thus relieve the pain.
http://alifeofpayne.blogspot.com/2011/03/headache-log-plastic-surgery.html
He cleared up a lot of questions and concerns I had. That's not to say that I don't still have a few questions and concerns. The stabbing pain I get behind my eyes appears to be the result of one of three branches of the trigeminal nerve. And, of course, the pain in the back of my head is my occipital nerve. He explained what surgery is performed with each nerve. I feel a little better about going under the knife if that is, in fact, the route I take.
He offered me an injection on the spot, but I declined. I explained that I want to wait and see what results I get back from the cardiologist and the MRA on my neck first. Also, even though I don't want to be on preventative medication for the rest of my life (or any medication at all!), I'd like to see if the Cymbalta is EVER going to start working. Two weeks in and I feel no difference yet.
So I may be following up with Dr. Rose in a month.
Of course, I had not been gone from his office more than 20 minutes when the pain intensified and I was wishing I had just gone ahead and gotten a shot. Just one little tiny shot. :(
http://alifeofpayne.blogspot.com/2011/03/headache-log-plastic-surgery.html
He cleared up a lot of questions and concerns I had. That's not to say that I don't still have a few questions and concerns. The stabbing pain I get behind my eyes appears to be the result of one of three branches of the trigeminal nerve. And, of course, the pain in the back of my head is my occipital nerve. He explained what surgery is performed with each nerve. I feel a little better about going under the knife if that is, in fact, the route I take.
He offered me an injection on the spot, but I declined. I explained that I want to wait and see what results I get back from the cardiologist and the MRA on my neck first. Also, even though I don't want to be on preventative medication for the rest of my life (or any medication at all!), I'd like to see if the Cymbalta is EVER going to start working. Two weeks in and I feel no difference yet.
So I may be following up with Dr. Rose in a month.
Of course, I had not been gone from his office more than 20 minutes when the pain intensified and I was wishing I had just gone ahead and gotten a shot. Just one little tiny shot. :(
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Headache Log : Groupon
Ok, so you all know now (all two of you out there who follow this blog - hehe) that I have looked into injecting Botox into a few nerves to find out if that will help with my migraines.
For more info click here ...... http://alifeofpayne.blogspot.com/2011/03/headache-log-plastic-surgery.html
The doctor's visit itself is covered by insurance, but the actual Botox is not, so I have to pay for the Botox out of pocket. $10 per unit. Each injection is 33 units so $330 per nerve.
I don't know if you are familiar with Groupon or not, but it's a daily coupon offer. Today's featured coupon is for Botox. 50% off Botox. Of course, Justin was all over that - save money on the injection!
What the heck, I call the place that's offering the coupon. Ask if they do plastic surgery there. They do not. Already I'm suspicious that they aren't going to be able to help me. But I explain the situation to the girl on the other end of the line and she says that she'll need to ask the doctor. She puts me on hold and when she comes back explains that they can't help me, but that the doctor suggests I see a urologist.
Really? A UROLOGIST? I think you misunderstood the doctor, sweetie.
For more info click here ...... http://alifeofpayne.blogspot.com/2011/03/headache-log-plastic-surgery.html
The doctor's visit itself is covered by insurance, but the actual Botox is not, so I have to pay for the Botox out of pocket. $10 per unit. Each injection is 33 units so $330 per nerve.
I don't know if you are familiar with Groupon or not, but it's a daily coupon offer. Today's featured coupon is for Botox. 50% off Botox. Of course, Justin was all over that - save money on the injection!
What the heck, I call the place that's offering the coupon. Ask if they do plastic surgery there. They do not. Already I'm suspicious that they aren't going to be able to help me. But I explain the situation to the girl on the other end of the line and she says that she'll need to ask the doctor. She puts me on hold and when she comes back explains that they can't help me, but that the doctor suggests I see a urologist.
Really? A UROLOGIST? I think you misunderstood the doctor, sweetie.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Headache Log : Plastic Surgery
Ok, so the young doctor may have been a mistake - I was getting desperate (not desperate enough for the ER, but pretty desperate).
However, I'm feeling good about the neurologist. I know I just picked him out of the phone book, and maybe it's desperation talking again, but I think I have a good feeling about him. Hope springs eternal, right?
Also I just found a plastic surgeon in Provo who does Botox injections for migraine treatment and I'm really excited about it. I had ran across him before, but I sort of ignored him. Then I learned he does migraine surgery as well so I started looking into him more. The Botox is just to determine which nerves are the cause of the pain so he knows which one(s) he needs to do surgery on.
I still need a lot more information on him, sounds like the surgery may be different than what the Midwest Doctor does, and I have a consultation with him later this month. Possibly even some Botox injections if he/we/I can identify which nerves he/we/I are pretty sure are the problem. Oh yeah, I've got this one!
However, I'm feeling good about the neurologist. I know I just picked him out of the phone book, and maybe it's desperation talking again, but I think I have a good feeling about him. Hope springs eternal, right?
Also I just found a plastic surgeon in Provo who does Botox injections for migraine treatment and I'm really excited about it. I had ran across him before, but I sort of ignored him. Then I learned he does migraine surgery as well so I started looking into him more. The Botox is just to determine which nerves are the cause of the pain so he knows which one(s) he needs to do surgery on.
I still need a lot more information on him, sounds like the surgery may be different than what the Midwest Doctor does, and I have a consultation with him later this month. Possibly even some Botox injections if he/we/I can identify which nerves he/we/I are pretty sure are the problem. Oh yeah, I've got this one!
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