Alicia Swisher - Therapeutic Botox
In 2006, 22-year-old Alicia Swisher was working fulltime,
going to school and dealing with debilitating migraine headaches at least three
to five days of every week. “The severe pain came with nausea and sensitivity
to light and sound and it was nearly impossible to function,” Alicia said.
Now, thanks to therapeutic Botox treatments from neurologist John Wald, MD, Alicia has reclaimed
her life.
“I was seeing my family doctor and treating my headaches
with prescription and over-the-counter medications, but I realized I had to do
something drastic or I was going to live my life in bed,” Alicia recalled.
“That’s when I decided to consult a neurologist.”
She found Dr. Wald to be “wonderful, very kind and
professional. It’s obvious he cares about his patients.” After discussing her
medical history and medications at length, Dr. Wald suggested that Alicia try
Botox injections. Commonly used as a cosmetic treatment for facial wrinkles,
Botox was approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for
migraine headaches in 2010.
“The idea seemed a little crazy at the time. But by then I
was going to the Emergency Room two or three times a week with headache pain,”
Alicia said. “I refused to take steroids anymore because of their awful
side-effects and the toll they were taking on my body. I was pretty desperate
to find a solution.”
Alicia has multiple injections of Botox in her head, neck
and shoulders once every three months. “The injections do burn a little bit,
but they are making a huge positive difference in my life,” she said. “I am
able to function normally, without pain, for most of the three months.”
After several rounds of Botox treatments, Alicia discovered
she was pregnant. Because of the severity and frequency of her migraines prior
to treatment, she was afraid to stop them. But the health of her baby was the
first priority for her and Dr. Wald. He arranged a consultation for her at the
University of Michigan, and it was determined to be safe for Alicia to continue
treatments through her pregnancy. In July of 2011, she gave birth to a healthy
and beautiful baby girl, Abigail.
Alicia said she would “recommend that anyone who is
miserable with migraine headaches talk to their doctor about Botox. Don’t let
pain keep you from living your life.”