Q: Have you heard of Botox injections for fibromyalgia? If so, what are they and how do they work?
A: Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) is produced by a bacterium called clostridium botulinum. The U.S. military originally purified the toxin about 30 years ago as a potential nerve agent. More recently, the toxin, which blocks neuromuscular transmission, has been used for medicinal purposes.
When injected in small quantities, Botox causes selective weakening and paralysis of muscles, thereby alleviating spasms and pain. Although the drug is approved only for certain problems involving the muscles of the eyes, doctors have used it to treat the muscular rigidity seen in various medical conditions including cerebral palsy, strokes, multiple sclerosis and some esophageal disorders, and for the pain of a muscular condition called myofascial pain syndrome. In fact, it was the successful use of Botox in some people with severe myofascial pain syndrome that led doctors to try it for fibromyalgia.
Although its use in fibromyalgia is not well studied, Botox injections have been touted as the new “miracle cure” for fibromyalgia. There are reports of patients with fibromyalgia getting some relief of their tender points that lasts up to three to four months. Even though muscle pain is one of the major features of fibromyalgia, there are many other symptoms of the condition not helped by Botox.
If you decide to try Botox, expect to wait about eight days before you see results. The most relief occurs at about three weeks, and the injections can be repeated every three to four months. But be careful not to get them more often. Too frequent injections may cause you to develop immunity to the injections. Some patients who have received too much Botox, depending on the location of the injections, have developed facial and eyelid drooping, bruising, jaw weakness, headache, neck or back pain, and back weakness. Such symptoms last until the injections wear off.
When administered correctly, Botox appears to be safe. But the drug is expensive, costing $400 per injection.
James McKoy, MD, Rheumatologist
Botox Injections for Fibromyalgia?
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Bill
11 May 2010, 16:21
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| Because fibromyalgia pain is current seen as emanating from the brain, even though it is vigorously sensed as "muscle pain," it seems doubtful that those who claim relief from botox injections have been accurately diagnosed. If relief from botox injections is actually long-lasting and helpful, responders might do well to get new opinions as to their diagnosis. |
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Lana
06 May 2010, 05:24
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| Nathan, My insurance company refused to cover my claim on the basis that the treatment was Experimental and/or Unproven Treatment. Even though I have had other treatment before which did not lead to anything and the Botox injections where the only thing that were giving me some relief... I have been rejected!! I contested it... but no luck. Apparently my policy has an exclusion for experimental/unproven treatment. |
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nathan
03 May 2010, 10:06
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| stef my insurance company is paying for the botox they did not question the
need for it. we had to provide the doctor's letter stating that the
treatment was needed and that i had tried all the regular ways of treating
injuries and pain without any success. the letter came from the doctor at a pain clinic, after i had gone through their program without success. i kept pushing him to write the letter because i really believed that botox was my last and only hope, and i was right. i had gone through 4 different pain programs doing the same excercises and stretching, you'd think after a while they would say let's try something new. |
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Stef
14 Apr 2010, 20:56
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| I have a question, is your health insurance compay covering your Botox Injections or rejected them claiming that they are Experimental or Unproven Treatment?? |
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nathan
01 Apr 2010, 21:29
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| all i can say is that i was close to death after two car accidents, the
last one in 2004. i developed myfascial pain head to toe. to explain the
level of pain i was in would take too long to breakdown here. i was put on all the the hard drugs even 50mg fentanyl patches every three days. i fought to get on botox. after the first month the pain level all over my body started going down. i won't lie, the needles really hurt at first but over the months it get's better. the injections stopped my headaches cold among other things. i've been on it for 13 months and it's like i said saved my life. |
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Linda Lou
23 Feb 2010, 12:46
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| I've had fibro for 6 yrs now. I had a car accident last March and sustained whiplash, which has put the lid on it!! The pain I have in my head, neck and shoulders is horrendous. I've just been offered botox in my shoulder tender points. Having read above I have decided to go for it. Does any one feel cold inside but your face feels like its burning up, yet check your temperature and it's normal? |
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Bobbie
23 Feb 2010, 00:45
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| I have fibro in the front part of neck, I feel like I am getting choked if I walk too far (which can just be down my hallway). They cannot use the regular injections on the front due to the medication can go into the heart and lungs. The tens unit has not seemed to help, and if it does work ..it is usually six hours of sitting still with it, and the rest of me hurts. I was told the only hope is Botox since it doesn't travel...after 3 months still waiting for insurance to ok.....anyone else have fibro in front of neck??? And if so what helped you? Thanks Bobbie |
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Connie Blixhavn
23 Oct 2009, 16:42
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| I have been having Botox injections for close to 5 years now for fibro and myofacial pain. It has been a wonder drug for me |
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Tracy
15 Oct 2009, 02:03
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| I have been asking my doctors for years about using botox injections! I'm so excited so see that someone is finally trying it. I hope it works! |
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vikki francis
09 Sep 2009, 03:17
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| i have fibromyalgia and severe arthritis in my neck i have been having epidurals and nerve blocking injections now my pain management consultant has said he is going to try botox am glad it is looking hopeful because i am on so many drugs i rattle . |
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alice sohngen
09 Jun 2009, 19:54
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| i'm for anything that will rectify the arithritis problem. |
if you read any good chronic pain books the idea is to disrupt the signal of pain that is travelling from brain to nerve. this cycle makes the body super sensitive to any and all stimulation. ask anyone in chronic pain how a simple needle feels.
it even effects your sympathetic system. that's why i bet if you asked a lot of people with chronic pain they would tell you they can't take a hot enough shower and their body heat or better yet their perception of temperture is way off.
all people in chronic pain are looking for is a way to break that pain cycle. i think that botox should be used. what is there to lose but the pain? botox will help calm the body's pain so that it will be receptive to other treatments.
if the insurance company is in your way. can you find someone to back you? another doctor, lawyer, another insurance company?
people that tell you botox is experimental, or you shouldn't try this or that are people that have not lived with chronic pain.