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Migraine Testimonial

Having suffered Migraines for thirty years I have tried just about every medication available. The best I’ve taken has at most a 60% success rate but I am still left with around ten attacks each month and am in the position that I am unable to do some things that we all take for granted.

Over the years I have identified many triggers for my Migraines. Stress being the main one. Low air pressure or an acute change in air pressure can trigger a Migraine at anytime of the day or night. Bright sun or wind on my face is another so I am unable to leave the house in strong winds and must avoid the sun when I can. I am unable to eat anything with additives or preservatives so have to be very careful what I eat. I have to avoid most chemicals and perfumes and cannot be close to anyone wearing strong perfume or aftershave. I had to give up coffee, alcohol and chocolate years ago. I have to work from home as I cannot predict when I will be ill. I cannot make arrangements to do simple things like collect my grandchildren from school in case I have a Migraine and have been unable to go on a holiday for many years.

A bad migraine attack is absolutely horrible. I have medication to take at the onset of an attack but its pot luck if it actually works. The stabbing pain in my eye socket can continue relentlessly for a couple of days at a time and can often be accompanied with uncontrollable vomiting. I have self administrating injections but often these don't work either. The only thing left is to ride it out until enough time has passed to take more medication. Obviously during these attacks my family have to manage without me and they find the ordeal very distressing too.

I read an article which said a number of people suffering from Migraines who had also had Botox injected into their foreheads for cosmetic reasons reported that it also stopped their Migraine attacks. I decided to give Botox a try. I found my own GP totally uncooperative so searched for a reputable clinic to have the treatment. I've had two sessions of injections now and the effects last for three to four months. I told my GP of the success of the first injections and requested I have Botox on the NHS but a specialist in January 2011 told me that Botox is not something any NHS doctor would administer for the treatment of Migraines.

Botox injections have certainly worked for me and the relief of finding a cure, even though it is temporary (three to four months) until nerve endings become active again, has totally changed my life. The best part is that I can collect my grand children from school and spend more time with them. I wish I had known about Botox years ago and perhaps I would not have been ill on many important occasions including my daughters wedding day. Of course the other advantage to women my age is that my forehead frown lines disappear for the duration too.

I found Dr Dutta extremely knowledgeable regarding Migraines. He took the time to explain the whole procedure and was very polite and professional. The follow up appointment with him was also very relaxed and informative. My first course of Botox to treat Migraines had a 100% success rate over a four month period. The second time I had a Migraine on the day of the injections and have had one mild Migraine in the first month but I still have a while to go for a full comparison. The Botox treatment costs much more than I would pay for medication but the advantages by far outnumber the disadvantages and overall I would recommend that anyone suffering severe Migraine attacks at least give it a try, especially if there is a special event looming. I would advise having the treatment approximately three weeks prior to obtain the best results.

As a well practised Migraine sufferer I know what it’s like searching for something that could help the pain, time loss and anguish and so I hope this review has been useful.

Susan Patterson,
County Durham

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