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In Reply to: Re: Freezing the Nerves in the Neck for Pain Relief posted by Kay on November 03, 2000 at 10:35:12:
Hi Kay,
I had 16 Botox injections (2 vials) up and down my neck, base of my head and across the shoulders. It is very painful, more so than the Nerve Blocks and Trigger Point injections. But if you can handle Trigger Point injections and Nerve Bblocks you can handle Botox injections. Unfortunatly, I had increased pain and spasms along with swelling. You know that boney thingy that is in your shoulders where you neck and shoulders meet? That was completly swelled over. I couldn't even put my hand around it. But from what I understand, alot of people get relief from it. I had an almost unheard of reaction. Could be I had been exposed to botulism at some time? My Neuro has no idea why I reacted to it the way I did. I have an online friend who has had her 2nd round of Botox and has seemed to have found some relief. I would suggest talking to your doctor or Neuro, you might also need to get prior approval from your insurance company too, since it is very expensive. My total bill for the day was $1800.00 and it took me 6 months to finally get approval. I have read on various other message boards and did an Internet Search using a larger search engine and found alot of info on Botox. Most of it concerns wrinkles, but once you weed thru the gobbly gook, there is info out there. Basically the Botox is supposed to relax the muscles so that they don't spasm. Hence a reduction in the numbness in your arm and fingers and headaches. It's supposed to last 3-6 months with a 2nd round no sooner than 3 months to prevent your body from producing antibodies to the Botox. There also is supposed to be some wobbling of your head due to the weakness in your muscles. But it is supposed to be a tempory side effect. Mine did the opposite. I made a joke in the doctors office that I needed to be put into the back of a car and let my head bob around like those bobbing head dogs. Could be why the Botox didn't work so don't crack any jokes :) But you can use a soft cervical collar for support while your neck is weak. Mine got extemely rigid, like my head was sitting on a block of wood. I am hoping that the increase of spasms will eventually go away as the Botox works its way thru my body. I had about 16 more Trigger Points and Nerve Blocks done on Tuesday and spent the day in bed Wednesday, but noticed alot of the spams are gone today. I'm still a bit sore and my muscles in my neck are bruised and sore, but I am hoping it broke this cycle of spasms. Email me if you would like to chat sometime...
Lynda
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