OBJECTIVES: Chronic migraine (CM), defined as headache on at least 15 days per month, with at least 8 days of migraine, is a sub-type of chronic daily headache associated with significant quality of life (QoL) impairment. Clinical studies demonstrate that botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A, 155-195U injected at specific head and neck areas) results in clinically significant improvements in headache symptoms and QoL for CM patients. This study was conducted to obtain patient narratives describing how response to BTX-A has benefited them in their daily lives. METHODS: CM patients undergoing treatment with BTX-A were recruited via a letter from their neurologist for in-depth interviews. The participants were ten female chronic migraineurs who had suffered from migraines for 7-35 years, and had received BTX-A treatment for 6 months to 5 years. RESULTS: For all participants, CM was severely debilitating across all aspects of their lives including work/study, family/personal relationships and social interactions. Some patients reported prior symptoms of depression including suicidal ideation. The participants had previously trialled numerous acute and prophylactic treatments but had experienced lack of efficacy, intolerance and rebound headaches from medication overuse. Following treatment with BTX-A, participants reported reduced frequency, severity and duration of migraines and headaches, increased days without acute medication intake, and improved response to simple analgesics. Personal benefits included the ability to return to work or study, care for their children, engage in social activities and take more active roles in the community. Participants felt that public reimbursement of BTX-A for CM would have a number of positive outcomes including reduced financial stress of treatment for themselves and their families, as well as potential cost reductions to the healthcare system from decreased use of other medications and less hospitalisations and/or doctor visits. CONCLUSIONS: CM patients responding to BTX-A prophylaxis report improved symptoms and multiple QoL benefits.