Botox for Chronic Migraines

BOTOX® is a purified protein collected from naturally occurring bacteria that blocks signals that may cause migraine attacks. BOTOX® prevents headaches and migraine attacks before they even start. It is recommended that BOTOX® treatment be given every 12 weeks. It can be used to prevent headaches in adults with chronic migraine who have 15 or more days each month with headache lasting 4 or more hours each day. It has been shown to significantly reduce the number of headache days per month.

A graduate from the family medicine program at McGill University in 2000, Dr. Kieu Phung subsequently worked at the Neurocenter, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet in Denmark, a highly specialised hospital with world class treatment, research, and innovation in neuroscience. Dr. Phung obtained a PhD degree in dementia epidemiology at the University of Copenhagen in 2009 and continued to conduct research in this field in Lebanon and the Philippines until 2019, when she returned to Canada to practice family medicine. She was trained at AbbVie Institute of Health Education in botox injection for chronic migraine and is now providing this treatment at ByWard Clinic, aiming to improve access and reduce waiting time for patients with this debilitating condition to botox treatment.

Dr. Phung speaks English, French, Danish, and Vietnamese.

Providers are to complete the Botox for Chronic Migraines Referral form (Botox for Chronic Migraines Referral form) and fax to 613-564-6627.

Patient must meet the following criteria:
Patients with Chronic/frequent headaches (>15 headache days/mth)
Secondary headache causes have been ruled out
Patient has failed (no therapeutic effect or side effect) or is not suitable for 1-2 prophylactic interventions.

You will meet Dr. Phung for the initial consultation during which she will obtain your medical history and perform a neurological exam. If indicated, further testing will be arranged. Once it is established that you fulfil criteria for botox treatment, Dr. Phung will prescribe and process your application for reimbursement from your private insurance company or through the Exceptional Access Program (EAP) with the Ontario Drug Benefits. When the application has been approved, a date for injection will be scheduled. The recommended treatment schedule is every 12 weeks.

Botox is injected by needle into 7 specific head and neck muscle areas, proven sites where Chronic Migraine* may affect you—to prevent headaches and migraine attacks before they even start.

Injections take about 10 minutes and are done in your doctor’s office (you can go home right after).

Injections with a small needle feel like tiny pinches. Bleeding is minimal. Dr. Phung will determine the number of injection sites needed to treat your specific condition. The recommended dose of Botox is 155 Units in 31 sites. If it is necessary, Dr. Phung may decide to inject more units of Botox.

Once you receive your appointment confirmation notification for your consultation, you will be asked to complete a Questionnaire. Please complete the Questionnaire before your scheduled appointment and bring your Private Insurance information with you to your appointment.

Botox injection for Migraine (treatment/procedure) - $150

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Operated by Ontario Partners in Health