Botox and Headaches: What Users Say

• RAV...
• September 17, 2014

For Urinary Frequency "I am a 33-year-old mom of 2. Very busy, very active. All the Overactive Bladder meds didn't really help, and dry mouth was awful. I backed out of interstim twice, and when I heard about this option I was scared but had to try it, interstim was the only other choice. I am 7 days post Botox 1st time. It has changed my life. I no longer have to void 3-4x before leaving my house to go somewhere. After having cystoscopies done, I was nervous. It wasn't as bad as I thought. The bladder where the injections were was painful voiding for 2 days, but it was worth it. No more voiding 3x per hour. If & when it wears off, I'd do it again. I have headaches off and on, may or may not be related, but it was a life changer for me."

• Vai...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 5, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I had a horrific response to the Botox I had for migraines. I ended up 5 days in the ER after the most recent set of injections. Severe heart palpitations, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, feeling faint, weak, dizzy, rash all over my body, muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, tightness in my throat, severe dry mouth, tingling in my hands, feet, limbs, etc. I will NEVER get these injections again. There have been days I can barely get up, so severely fatigued and weak. Stabbing random pains, difficulty sleeping, chest tightness and pain, back, head, and neck pain, it has completely halted my way of daily life. Severely puffy eyelids and one is droopy. It has been almost a month since injections, and I am still nowhere near normal. I was told the only thing they can offer me is life support at the hospital if I stop breathing on my own. This has been terrifying. It has caused sudden extreme anxiety, which I didn't have at all before. My neurologist made it sound like the worst that could happen is a droopy eyelid."

• Lpa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 18, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "It has been 15 months since my only Botox injections of 151 units. My headache is 1000 times worse than before the Botox. No meds help. Lost about a foot of my hair. Nauseous, anxiety, insomnia, chest pains, ringing in ears feels like boa constrictors squeezing my arms, hard to swallow. It took my happiness away. Can't even get a botulism poison test. You have to go through the CDC. And if you're not on a ventilator at the ER then no test. The doctors lie to us to line their pockets, and we are thrown to the curb. How do they sleep at night?"

• Xin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 31, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I had Botox treatments for my migraines for about a year and a half. I was thrilled as it completely took away my migraines and I had no side effects. I had my life back. Then last August I went to get my regular 3-month injections at 4 p.m. By 7 p.m. that evening, I was experiencing dizziness. By the next day, I had a severe headache, neck pain, dizziness, trouble swallowing, pain in my shoulders, etc. It was terrible. My doctor told me he didn't think it was from the Botox, but that I probably caught a virus at the same time I got the shots. Seriously? Here I am, 3 months later, and I can hardly hold up my head. I have headaches, shoulder pain, neck pain, pain, and numbness going down my arms. The dizziness has never gone away."

• Do...
• September 22, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "Horrible migraine hours following treatment. Started out like someone hit me in the back of the head with a baseball bat. Then the horrible nonstop headache set in. Ended up at the ER the first day because nothing stopped the pain. Woke up the next day with an excruciating headache. Worse than any of my terrible daily migraines. The neurologist did not call back. Long story short. Went to the ER 2x in 5 days. Neurologist was completely unhelpful and never spoke with me. After the 6th day, I barely made it through work. There is severe cramping in the neck and in between the shoulders. Where the muscles were paralyzed, the other muscles in the area are overcompensating for the 'Botoxed' areas. I WILL NEVER again do Botox. It made a bad situation completely unbearable."

• Jo ...
• August 28, 2016

For Urinary Frequency "I had Botox for overactive bladder on the 11th of August 2016. I've been very unwell since - flu symptoms, aching body, but above all, my bladder is worse than ever. I am on and off the toilet constantly, experiencing terrible throbbing and a feeling of constantly having a full bladder. I am back in the hospital now, they don't know what's going on, although they are the ones responsible for the procedure! I am at the end of my tether, I wish I had never had this done. No doctor wants to take any sort of blame and they are playing dumb. This is at King George Hospital in Goodmayes, Essex. I've been here for 2 nights, they don't know what to suggest and I have been mucked about for 2 days and nights. I can't sleep as the sensation gets worse when I try to relax. Don't have this procedure done."

• Tar...
• January 13, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I've been experiencing migraines since about 12 years old. I've tried every medication and been in and out of hospitals. I'm 46 now and tried Botox. I received my two series and my first was okay, but one month before, I had a migraine for two weeks. Now, just this past week, I was in the emergency room because I was crawling on the floor, my head was hurting so bad, and I was vomiting all night. I was still having around 7-8 headaches in the month. I will not be going for the third shot. I was still on the preventive, taking two different pills for onset. This seems like too much medication. I'm so frustrated with this. I'm just going to settle; this is my way of life :("

• Kim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "After suffering from 15+ migraines that sometimes lasted 3 days, for over a year, my doctor decided I would be a good candidate for Botox. After my first treatment, I had about 10 migraines in total. Botox also helped against normal triggers that would cause my migraines. On days I wouldn't have a full-blown migraine prior to Botox, I had mild headaches consistently. This all died down after my first treatment. The needle itself does not hurt, but the actual injection of Botox does a little. If you have anxiety from needles, I would make sure you have an allotted time after the treatment to lay down. It definitely is worth the shots for a better quality of life."

• Maz...
• October 11, 2016

For Urinary Frequency "Had Botox for overactive bladder 12 days ago. Been miserable ever since, pain is as bad as ever, and I have gone into retention, so now having to self-catheterize up to 4 times a day. Will now need to wait for the Botox to wear off to see if I can pass urine normally again. 6 months of pain, throbbing, pulsating sensation, and the constant feeling of needing the toilet, and I thought Botox was the answer, instead, it's made matters worse!"

• Jew...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "Never ever try Botox again! The first 3 weeks I couldn't hold my head up, my arms were weak, vision blurry, sore throat, droopy right eye. Very depressing to totally be incapacitated! It was a big deal to get through a shower and dress myself! Never again! Now at three weeks out, I'm lightheaded, still having a hard time keeping my head up. Have started back to headaches for the past week. They seem different in the sense I haven't had a visual aura, but the top of my head feels like it's going to pop off. The pain in my temple is the same. I've wasted an entire month! Been housebound!"

• Luv...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 16, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "1st Botox shots 11/2015. Wasn't able to get another tx until 10 days ago. The 1st time it was great! Migraines down to about 2/mo. Loved it! This time the day after I woke with the back of my neck very painful. Worse was pain in the back of my head. Felt like hit with a 2x4. Very bad headache too. It was horrible. I get pain medication for other issues, and it did nothing. Head swollen, tight glasses. Some pain in my left shoulder down my arm. It lasted 5 days, in bed with a heating pad. 7th day worst pain gone but need hand under chin or on back of head to control head movement due to weak neck. Don't wake with neck pain, but it starts after moving a bit. If I'm on my feet, dizzy. Weak jaws when eating or drinking. Head turns only 2 inches to left or right side. Weak upper arms. Never again."

• Gan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 11, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I am finished with Botox!!! The first round of 30 shots was hell afterwards! I had migraines/chronic neck pain/headaches for a month. Then I had three weeks of no migraines/headaches/neck pain. I thought I died and went to heaven. And then it all came back. Honestly, I was actually dreading the second round of Botox, but I knew I had to give it one more chance. The second round was worse!!! I wake up with what feels like a vice on my neck. Immediately, I had 23 days of migraines/severe headaches straight. There is no way to explain what it feels like to lay in bed with the lights off, no sound or very faint, and being in your head feeling so alone. Luckily, I have had no migraines for three weeks now, but horrible headaches and a very painful neck. Migraines are the most misunderstood, complicated illnesses, both for the person who has them and secondary to that is the understanding from friends and family members. It really wears me down when I have these every day."

• Gan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 11, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I am finished with Botox!!! The first round of 30 shots was hell afterwards! I had migraines/chronic neck pain/headaches for a month. Then I had three weeks of no migraines/headaches/neck pain. I thought I died and went to heaven. And then it all came back. Honestly, I was actually dreading the second round of Botox, but I knew I had to give it one more chance. The second round was worse!!! I wake up with what feels like a vice on my neck. Immediately, I had 23 days of migraines/severe headaches straight. There is no way to explain what it feels like to lay in bed with the lights off, no sound or very faint, and being in your head feeling so alone. Luckily, I have had no migraines for three weeks now, but horrible headaches and a very painful neck. Migraines are the most misunderstood, complicated illnesses, both for the person who has them and secondary to that is the understanding from friends and family members. It really wears me down when I have these every day."

• Gan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 11, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I am finished with Botox!!! The first round of 30 shots was hell afterwards! I had migraines/chronic neck pain/headaches for a month. Then I had three weeks of no migraines/headaches/neck pain. I thought I died and went to heaven. And then it all came back. Honestly, I was actually dreading the second round of Botox, but I knew I had to give it one more chance. The second round was worse!!! I wake up with what feels like a vice on my neck. Immediately, I had 23 days of migraines/severe headaches straight. There is no way to explain what it feels like to lay in bed with the lights off, no sound or very faint, and being in your head feeling so alone. Luckily, I have had no migraines for three weeks now, but horrible headaches and a very painful neck. Migraines are the most misunderstood, complicated illnesses, both for the person who has them and secondary to that is the understanding from friends and family members. It really wears me down when I have these every day."

• sal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I did not have a good result with Botox for migraines. It gave me more pain and headaches that lasted for the most part of one month. Pain in shoulders and neck, a tight feeling across the forehead like a band-aid being pulled very tight. Horrible extreme headache that would come and go. One morning, about 2 weeks later, I woke up alarmed because the pain in my forehead had radiated to my face. Very tight feeling and pulling across my cheekbones. I would never do this again - it did not help my headaches."

• sal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I did not have a good result with Botox for migraines. It gave me more pain and headaches that lasted for the most part of one month. Pain in shoulders and neck, a tight feeling across the forehead like a band-aid being pulled very tight. Horrible extreme headache that would come and go. One morning, about 2 weeks later, I woke up alarmed because the pain in my forehead had radiated to my face. Very tight feeling and pulling across my cheekbones. I would never do this again - it did not help my headaches."

• Buf...
• March 17, 2017

For Cervical Dystonia "I have both cervical dystonia and spasmodic dysphonia. I receive Botox injections in my neck, shoulders, and voice box. The injections in my shoulders accompany the injections in my neck for cervical dystonia. The injections in my shoulders leave my shoulders feeling knotted and cause frequent headaches and muscle pain. My neurologist told me the Botox should get rid of the pain and not cause it, but in my case, the headaches and muscle pain are noticeably there. Does anyone else experience this problem?"

• So ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 5, 2022

For Migraine "This treatment was a nightmare. My neurologist did not warn me of any potential side effects. The Botox injections took 5 minutes and didn’t hurt much. I had a migraine the rest of the day. I developed a bad headache on day 2, and on day 4 I had the worst migraine ever. It didn’t let up for over a week. My neck was too weak to support my head. I was dizzy and nauseous from the cervical instability. I was told this was normal and was shocked my neurologist hadn’t warned me! I was in severe pain and super dizzy/nauseous for two full weeks. And the treatment didn’t help my headaches at all; in fact, it made them worse."

• Ame...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 27, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I have been getting the injections for over a year. Takes about 4-7 days to kick in. Take it easy the first few days or your neck will hurt! I will say that after a year of it working with no headaches, I have started to get mild headaches again. Everyone should at least try it if you have bad migraines, it saved me."

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2021

For Cervical Dystonia "It's been 15 days since my first treatment, and so far I would have to say my movement and tremor symptoms are the same, and the pain and headaches are worse! I know it's early still, but if I had to make a decision today, I would NOT get this treatment again."

• Pea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 18, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "Used Botox successfully for several years now for migraines. It cut the number of migraines I have each month in half, and the ones I do have tend to be less painful and don't last as long. It was really after the second set of Botox shots that I saw real pain reduction. The worst side effect I have is that the shots themselves give me a horrible headache. It's not a migraine, but it really hurts. For the headache caused by the Botox shots, I have tried a Toradol shot (didn't work) and steroids. Those help, but they do have side effects, so I try to only use them for one day. I also ice the sore areas and take Tylenol. One time my eyebrow looked a little arched (for about two months), so I told the PA and she altered the placement the next time. That worked. I also bring an ice pack to the appointment and put it on my forehead after the shots to cut down on bruising. Shots are very much worth it for the migraine reduction they provide."

• Anonymous
• September 1, 2009

For Cervical Dystonia "I have cervical dystonia and have been treated with Botox for 2.5 years. Botox had many, many side effects for me in the beginning: trouble swallowing, severe headaches, floppy head. It does take away the spasms where it is injected, but I am finding help with trigger point injections and osteopathic adjustments. They don't stop as much of the pain, but they have fewer side effects than Botox."

• Mad...
• December 21, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I've had three rounds of Botox now for my migraines (around the scalp, forehead, and neck). The first two left me with little to no side effects. The third time has been horrible, I will NEVER do it again. I feel very confident in my neurologist, I don't believe she performed the injections differently - but upon leaving the appointment, I immediately broke down sobbing in my car because of the pain. I am now 17 days in, and I have had a headache every single day all day long. My eyes physically hurt to be open, and I am even more sensitive to light and sound than I ever have been with my common migraine. I've been given a prednisone burst, and it still hasn't helped. I'm worried that the next four months of my life are ruined."

• Lis...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 7, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I have had chronic migraines for almost 20 years. Clusters that would go on for weeks at a time. I tried Botox, and I was very sore across my shoulders and neck for the first week and a half. My head felt so heavy. I didn't get a migraine for two weeks. I can't remember the last time I could say that. The decrease in severity is worth it. I have a skilled neurologist and am thrilled with him and Botox. P.S. didn't help with my wrinkles at all."

• KMM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2021

For Migraine "I’ve had migraines since I was a kid of about 11. I am now 59 and also have chronic daily headaches. I have tried just about everything. I got my first injections of Botox on April 1st. I was in so much pain, a few days later, my neck hurt so bad, and my shoulders, and then pounding headaches. I really wasn’t sure if I wanted any more, but everything I read said it really doesn’t work until the second or third time, and you will notice a difference. I have since found another doctor and went in on July 9th and had the second round, and I’m so happy I did this. It’s the first time in my life I haven’t had a headache every day. I’ve noticed a few trying to start, and they go away. Too bad I couldn’t have had this done years ago. I feel I have missed so much of my life from headaches."