- With Mayo Clinic rheumatologist
April Chang-Miller, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
April Chang-Miller, M.D.
April Chang-Miller, M.D.
Dr. April Chang-Miller is board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology and is a consultant in the Division of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.
Dr. Chang-Miller's primary field is rheumatology with special interests in inflammatory joint diseases called seronegative spondyloarthropathies such as ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. She also cares for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica.
The New York City native is a graduate of the Yale University School of Medicine and had been with Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., between 1991 and 2002 when she relocated to Mayo Clinic, Arizona. She is a fellow in the American College of Rheumatology and has been on the board of directors of the Arthritis Foundation North Central Chapter.
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Question
Fibromyalgia treatment: Can Botox injections relieve pain?
Are Botox injections useful in fibromyalgia treatment?
Answer
from April Chang-Miller, M.D.
There's been little research on the effects of botulinum toxin type A (Botox) as a treatment for fibromyalgia, a chronic condition characterized by fatigue and widespread pain.
Here's what the research has shown so far:
- One double-blind study of Botox at Ohio State University was terminated early because of adverse effects in participants, including confusion, increased pain and flu-like symptoms.
- A review from South Africa reported on 16 people with fibromyalgia treated with multiple — and in some cases, repeated — injections of Botox. Several participants had increased pain in areas of the body that didn't receive injections. Other participants reported improvement.
The Food and Drug Administration hasn't approved Botox for the treatment of fibromyalgia. More clinical trials are needed to determine the safety and potential benefits of Botox as a fibromyalgia treatment.
Meanwhile, current treatment options for managing fibromyalgia include:
- Exercise
- Physical therapy
- Antidepressants
- Anti-seizure medications, such as gabapentin (Neurontin)
- Cognitive behavior therapy
- Acupuncture
- Electromyogram biofeedback
- Hypnotherapy
