Botox and Neck Pain: What Users Say

• Lan...
• October 6, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "The Botox not only was highly ineffective for me, but also left me with horrible neck and shoulder pain. My first Botox was over a year ago, a week after that I woke up with a frozen neck and shoulders pain. I was waiting for the 3 months mark for a relief, but it never came. It seems that the muscles that were injected became paralyzed and other ones started overcompensating, and thus became very tight and painful. Neck MRI came normal. 4 months ago I was talked again into the Botox and the neck pain got only worse. On top of that I am having this horrid nerve-like pain on the left side of my head. Besides, the Botox never helped with my migraines. So please be careful, cause you may end up worse than before..with a new kind of pain."

• 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."

• Mar...
• May 20, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "I had migraines for years. I tried Imitrex and similar meds but ended up with rebound headaches. It was a vicious cycle. Narcotic meds also did not work. Botox was a miracle for me. Within two weeks, my migraines had disappeared entirely! The Botox lasted for 4-6 months. I changed neurologists last month, and he had a different method of injection, using twice as much Botox (200 units instead of 100). Two days later, I developed horrible neck pain that progressed from sore to being barely able to hold my head up. I could not look down, bend, brush my teeth, or even turn my head. My head felt as if it weighed 200 pounds. The doctor said it would go away in 2 weeks! 10% of folks get this 'side effect.' I am still suffering."

• Mig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Botox is your last resort, they said. Before Botox, I had 3-4 migraines a week. I didn't like the frequent medicine, but I could usually catch it early and hadn't vomited for years. 32 Botox shots were prescribed at my 1st appointment (kickbacks, anyone?) and 3-4 migraines/week turned to 6-7/week. I managed to avoid sumatriptan for 3 days this month with the help of massive doses of caffeine and pain meds I take for a degenerative, painful condition. Always had neck pain, now it's 10x worse in a cramping spasm nightly and 24/7 pain way. Deafening tinnitus (ears ringing), BP and heart rate up, possibly due to Botox pain levels. I breathe shallowly, catch myself doing it, and bizarro heart flutters and faint/dizzy spells I've never felt at 42 years old. My head has not stopped hurting for a minute since Botox, and they're weird migraines - they feel different from my typical migraine and are much harder to treat. Scalp feels swollen. I'm glad I tried, but my miracle drug, it is not!"

• 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."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I had Botox injections for migraines almost a month ago and am still wearing a neck brace. For the first seven days, I had excruciating head pain, migraines, and neck pain. I felt like my neck was on fire. I called my doctor's office, Michigan Head Pain & Neurological Institute (MHNI), and was told that it is a common side effect and should fade after 5-10 days. The pain was unbearable. My physical therapist is the one who told me my neck muscles are not contracting, which is causing all the other smaller muscles to be strained from trying to support my head. It's absolutely terrible. After almost a month and still no relief. Never again! Still wearing a neck brace daily. MHNI says it's a rare but possible side effect. Have to wait for it to wear off."

• Its...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I had the 31 recommended injections. In the first 24 hours, I developed extreme injection site pain. It felt like electrified acid had been injected into my head and neck. All the injection sites became extremely itchy, and my eyeballs were itchy. 48 hours later, my neck and shoulders locked into knots. At 72 hours (after the weekend), I returned to my doctor. The doctor said that it was all in my head, even though I couldn't turn my head to look over my shoulder. He prescribed Benadryl and Aleve. Benadryl helped the itchiness, but Aleve did nothing for the neck and shoulder pain. I've tried Motrin, heat, massage, and muscle relaxers... nothing has worked. At 10 days out, I can't hold my head up. The doctor is sending me to the ER."

• Sab...
• May 3, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "So my first experience was just on the cosmetic side, and it helped with my migraines beautifully! My forehead looked amazing, and my migraines had been reduced. However, I still felt the onset of them in my neck and shoulders. So, upon talking to my neurologist, he said since I benefited from the cosmetic one, I should try the actual one for migraines. It's been four days, and I'm so sore, and like other people have said, AVOID getting the neck injections!!! I can hardly hold my head up, and I wake with neck and shoulder pain. I'm bruised on my shoulders, and it's swollen. Now I'm just in overall pain. The neck weakness is horrible, it's weird to think holding your head up is hard."

• She...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 4, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "For the first time in 50 years, I have relief from migraines since using Botox. I have a life now. I can make plans. For the first 4-5 days after Botox, I hurt from the injections, my neck hurts, but then I feel great for almost 3 months. It's not 100% as I still get migraines, but they come less frequently and last for a shorter time. I would tell people that it's worth trying. A little bit of pain for 12 weeks, almost pain-free. I love it. It has changed my life."

• Sor...
• September 4, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I had Botox May 25, 2017, for migraines. Woke up the next day with severe neck pain. It's Sept 3, 2017, and my neck is still hurting. I can't look down, turn my neck, read, clean my own house. I'm spending most of the day in bed. My life is ruined due to Botox for migraines. I've had so many problems, and I never was told about this side effect. It is not worth the risk. I wish I had known about this. The pain is horrible!"

• mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 17, 2016

For Cervical Dystonia "I have been having injections for over 1 year now. The dosage was increased, per my request, in December. This seemed to work well, although it still didn't last any longer. I went in in March for my next dose, which was the same as December, and this time it's just awful. I have constant tremor, I have jerky movements at times, neck pain, yet I can tell that muscles are definitely weaker... if fact even more so than last time. Is this a sign of too much? Or injection error? I am seeing a neurologist, I did have 1 appointment with a movement disorder specialist (3 hours away), does anyone have suggestions? Should I return to the specialist? Any input is appreciated!"

• PDo...
• October 2, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I had a numerous set of 35 shots of Botox for headaches. Started with 100 units, then 150 units, then 200 units. This is over a period of 1 and a half years. I had pain in my neck, shoulder, and injection site pain, it did help with the headaches but didn't take them away completely. So the doctor gave me 300 units of Botox. That was the biggest mistake of my life. Seven hours later, my head started feeling very weird, I started having bad anxiety. I called the doctor, he said it had to run its 90 days, then it would get better. It's been almost 2 years. It isn't any better. I'm exhausted, the weird feeling and anxiety are worse. I have no life. One doctor at the ER told me the problems I'm having are definitely caused by the Botox. Do your research before you take Botox, it's ruined my life!!"

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 21, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "My first time we did my neck and trapezius along with my head. I recommend staying away from the neck area due to a very sore neck for several weeks. Now we just do 31 injections, all in my scalp and back of head. No problems, and I have been doing this for over a year or two now. Reduced my headaches from 4 per week to maybe 1 or 2."

• Nec...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 9, 2019

For Cervical Dystonia "I've received Botox injections for 2 years, once every 3 months, it's for the neck muscles that are spasming and also cause severe jaw pain. Long story short, I did receive some relief in my jaw. But with 3 exceptions, I've had a significant head tilt that is just as painful as what was being treated. The back of my neck hurts so much, and I can't hold my head up. It's been almost 1 month since the procedure, and this is a 24/7 occurrence. I'm so desperate for pain relief (it's due to a car accident 20 yrs ago) that I keep going back, hoping that the next round will be the one to work. I wouldn't do this unless you've exhausted all other options. The risk is too great."

• Ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "My first experience with Botox for neck pain and migraines did not go well. A year later, the doctor convinced me to try again; migraines had gotten worse. So I had a series of injections of Botox done only in the neck area about 8 days ago. Yes, I'll admit I haven't had a migraine, but the neck and muscle pain is intolerable; such a stiff neck, it hurts to move it, weakness in the left arm down to the hand. Hard to hold my head up or turn. Muscle relaxers don't help, heating/cold pads don't help, already on pain meds, no relief. Moving head exercises only cause more pain. Driving me crazy to be in so much pain and discomfort. Hoping it goes away soon, or is this the trade-off?"

• Bos...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 31, 2015

For Cervical Dystonia "I have cervical dystonia for almost four years. I started with physical therapy, this was for 4 months. I then tried acupuncture, this was tried for 2 months. After going to several other doctors, I found a movement disorder specialist. It is the best thing that ever happened to me. I now get Botox injections in my neck every 3 to 4 months. I occasionally still have small tremors, but it is 90% better. The only thing that is difficult for me is the pain in my neck when I get the shots. This usually goes away in 3 to 4 hours."

• sma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Oh my God, I wish I had never tried Botox for migraine! After my first set of injections, my migraines were exactly the same, and I had extreme neck pain for about a month. I should not have gone through with the second set of injections, but I was desperate to take control of the migraine problem. Two weeks after my last Botox, I have no relief whatsoever for the desperate migraines, plus my neck feels totally broken. I cannot bend over to put on my shoes, unload the dishwasher, make my bed, etc. Agony. And the headaches are the same, if not worse. I can't wait for that neck pain to pass again. It works for some people, I know, but not everybody."

• Nev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have new daily persistent headaches and have tried every med imaginable. 15 months ago, I gave Botox a try. Severe migraines for a week following, with the most debilitating neck/shoulder pain/weakness of my life. I really struggled, it was tremendous. Headaches did not improve, and I continue to experience neck pain. Just leaning over to tie my kids' shoes... I can only tolerate bending over for a minute now. This has become a neck chronic problem. My neurologist doesn’t take this side effect seriously either."

• Fig...
• April 4, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I took Botox for migraines for 3 years, and I immediately notice neck pain and other adverse reactions after the first injections. My doctor told me that my neck pain was not due to the Botox, so I continued usage. After years of unexplainable pain and seeing other doctors, I discovered that my issues sounded like the horrific stories of other Botox users. I remember when I didn’t have neck pain, and it came to me that it all started around the Botox. It’s been 6 months since I had my last Botox treatment, but I am still in pain. My CK levels are abnormally high due to the muscle damage caused in my neck by Botox. I have trouble sleeping and doing just about any other task, and lately, my muscles in my neck and face are uncontrollably twitching. I don’t know where to turn to."

• rkb...
• May 15, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "Botox was my last resort after everything else failed me. A week after my first treatment, I'm having nonstop headaches, shooting pains in my head, my neck and shoulders hurt more than ever, I have no energy, and I had nausea, dizziness, and stomach cramps. I wish I had never gotten this."

• Top...
• November 2, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I'm on my second Botox. After the first one, I had blurred vision and have to read with my reading glasses. Still have a migraine, but with Advil or Fioricet with a cup of coffee, migraine lasts between 1-5 hours. I was very happy not to have them for seventeen hours and be in a dark room. However, my second Botox didn't give me relief I was expecting. So now for the whole month, I have droopy eyes, constant neck and shoulder pain, and every day migraine. I am planning to go for my third shot because it helps with migraine, I can take other pain but not migraine pain."

• JB ...
• October 4, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I have gotten Botox for migraines for three years now. The migraines went from every other day to one per month, the shots are not fun, but quick and worth it. I do have some drooping of both eyelids and occasional blurry vision that lasts about 30 min. I am on the lower dose-18 shots. I tried twice the dose one time, and my neck and back of head were tight and sore for a week. Went back to the lower dose."

• nol...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 24, 2019

For Cervical Dystonia "Family member has cervical dystonia (CD) related to Parkinson's disease. He was receiving Botox from a specialist who eventually retired. Was not effective. New MD is a physiatrist, and he began with trying different dosages (increased) and mapping out where he injected the Botox and how much he administered in each muscle. Targeted many different and small muscles. My husband has had about three rounds with the new MD. Previously, his head was severely tilted to one side. Now the head is almost perfectly straight. He still has neck pain, but maybe the pain will improve with time since this is a new doctor. He also receives physical therapy from an excellent provider. The physical therapy is not merely heat or cold pack, electric stimulation. It involves active patient participation, stretching, and strengthening. No traction. Improvement may be due to the combination of therapies."

• rip...
• December 16, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "Getting 100 units in 9 shots on my head wasn't a lot of fun. But I haven't had a headache since. It's only been 4 days, but my neck was sore today, and I should have had a doozy of a headache. My eyelids drooped a little after the shots, but my wife didn't notice. I've got a good feeling about this. If I get through this weekend without pain, I'll be sold."