Neuromodulators for Migraine Treatment in Laval and Greater Montreal

Chronic migraine involves headaches on at least 15 days per month for more than three months. At least eight days per month have migraine features or meet other specific migraine criteria. These thresholds count days with symptoms, rather than simply the number of attacks.

Your physician checks the full diagnostic criteria and considers other possible causes of your symptoms. The international criteria for chronic migraine guide this process but do not replace an individual assessment. Meeting these frequency thresholds does not automatically mean that injections are suitable for you.

Episodic migraine involves fewer than 15 headache days per month and requires a different treatment discussion. Other headache disorders can also cause frequent pain, with different causes and treatment options. Tell your physician about any recent changes in your symptoms during your consultation.

Preventive treatment aims to reduce how often migraine attacks occur and their impact on daily life. It differs from acute treatment, which is used to relieve an attack that has already started. Your care plan may combine both approaches when your physician considers this appropriate.

For injections, the evidence and approval apply to a specific medication and a defined medical indication. They do not automatically apply to every product described as a neuromodulator. Your physician will explain the proposed medication, its limitations and its role among the available treatment options.

Other options may include oral preventive medications or treatments that target migraine through different mechanisms. Your health, previous treatment experiences and preferences help guide the choice. The Canadian Headache Society’s migraine prevention guideline reviews several approaches, each with its own indications.

Regular sleep habits and a better understanding of your triggers can also support migraine management. However, lifestyle changes do not replace necessary treatment or guarantee that symptoms will disappear. Migraine Canada’s lifestyle resources can help you prepare for this discussion without blaming yourself for your symptoms.

The assessment reviews your symptoms, how they have changed and their effect on work, sleep and daily activities. Dr. Kivenko also considers your medical history and the medications you use for migraine attacks. This discussion helps shape a care plan suited to your individual needs.

A headache diary makes it easier to compare your symptoms over time. If possible, start tracking before your appointment, without delaying medical care that you need sooner. You can use Migraine Canada’s printable headache diaries to record your symptoms and prepare for follow-up.

• Record headache days, pain severity and any activities affected.
• Bring a list of your medications, supplements and known allergies.
• List preventive treatments you have tried and why you stopped them.
• Note how often you take pain medication or other acute migraine treatments.

Frequent use of certain acute medications can contribute to additional headaches in some people. Your physician can discuss whether changes are needed; do not stop prescribed treatment on your own. When booking, ask which medical records to bring and whether a referral is required.

If injections are recommended, treatment follows a medical protocol designed for chronic migraine. It may involve several injection sites across the head and neck, according to the applicable protocol. This approach differs from cosmetic injections that focus on a single area of the face.

Before treatment, Dr. Kivenko explains the possible benefits, risks and alternatives. You can ask questions and make a decision after receiving the information you need. Attending an initial consultation does not commit you to having injections.

For the medication studied for chronic migraine, treatment cycles are usually spaced about 12 weeks apart. Your schedule and the decision to continue depend on medical assessment and your response. More than one cycle may be needed to assess the benefit reliably.

After treatment, follow the instructions provided for your health needs and the procedure you received. Continue your headache diary to compare symptoms with the period before treatment. Migraine Canada’s guide to this preventive injection treatment can help you prepare questions for your physician.

Follow-up focuses on improvements that matter to you, without promising that migraine will disappear completely. Headache days are an important measure, but they do not capture the whole experience. Symptom severity, daily functioning and the need for acute medication also help your physician assess progress.

Response varies from person to person and may become clearer over several treatment cycles. A single session does not always provide a complete picture of how well treatment works for you. However, limited benefit or unwanted effects are reasons to review the plan with your physician.

Research studies assess selected groups of patients and cannot predict your individual results precisely. An analysis of the PREEMPT chronic migraine trials examines how benefits can be sustained over time. Your physician considers this evidence alongside your experience when deciding whether to continue, adjust or change treatment.

Injection-site pain, local tenderness and neck pain can occur after treatment. Muscle weakness and temporary eyelid drooping are also possible side effects. Your risk depends on the medication used and your medical history. Your physician will discuss the relevant precautions before you decide whether to proceed.

Tell your physician about an infection near a planned injection site, previous reactions to injections or a neuromuscular condition. Also mention pregnancy, plans to become pregnant, breastfeeding and any swallowing or breathing difficulties. Some circumstances may require postponing treatment or considering another option.

A known allergy to the product or an infection at an injection site may rule out treatment. Serious complications are possible, including unusual weakness or difficulty swallowing or breathing. If these symptoms occur after an injection, seek immediate medical attention rather than waiting for your next appointment.

No. The injections studied for chronic migraine are used for longer-term prevention. They do not replace your acute treatment for an attack already underway or urgent medical care when needed. Ask your physician how prevention and acute treatment fit together in your personal care plan.

The evidence and indication discussed here concern chronic migraine, which has specific diagnostic criteria. They should not automatically be extended to episodic migraine or other headache disorders. An assessment can still help you explore other preventive options that may be appropriate for your symptoms.

No. Cosmetic forehead injections are not equivalent to the medical protocol used for chronic migraine. The goals, injection sites and follow-up plan address different needs. Tell your physician about any recent injections so that these can be considered during your assessment.

Two or three treatment cycles may be needed to assess your response to preventive injections. Your physician reviews your progress and any side effects before recommending further treatment. No fixed number of sessions guarantees a benefit, and your care plan may need to change.

Dr. Veronika Kivenko is a family physician who provides the assessment and procedure at LABELLE Clinic. She reviews your situation and discusses whether the proposed treatment is appropriate. Learn more about her background on the Dr. Kivenko and LABELLE Clinic information page.

The consultation connects your symptoms with suitable care options and any precautions you may need. You can discuss your goals, previous treatment experiences and questions that matter to your decision. If further assessment is needed, your physician will discuss the next steps with you.

The clinic is located in Laval and welcomes enquiries from across Greater Montreal. Contact the team to check availability and find out which documents to bring to your first visit. Requesting an appointment is the first step towards an assessment; it does not establish eligibility for injections.