Drugs That Stop or Prevent Migraines
What you need to know about your medication choices Read more
More about headaches
These days relief can come from surprising places. Botox, the same nerve toxin that causes the potentially fatal food poisoning called botulism, and made famous as a temporary wrinkle smoother, is now providing relief for some migraine patients. In particular, it is prescribed off-label for chronic migraines—headaches that occur more than 15 days a month. Although Botox was once thought to work by numbing muscles in the face and head, it's now believed that it probably affects nerve endings by blocking any transmission of pain from them.
Jenny DeFino, 36, of Yonkers, N.Y., had found relief during a clinical trial of Botox injections, and since then has been able to continue the treatment by prescription, with one shot every 11 weeks. "It's a little stinging sensation, but it's nothing compared to what the headaches would be," says DeFino. "I now only get migraines two or three times a month, and I feel great. I would have paid anything to have this quality of life back. It's terrific."
Communication is key
Press your doctor to investigate the full range of therapies, and if she or he lacks experience, find a headache specialist.
