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In Reply to: Re: For Kay posted by Kay on November 03, 2000 at 13:13:13:
Well, I just got off the phone with the nurse in the dr. office and she said my insurance wouldn't pay for this procedure because they consider it to be experimental. Please read the message I sent you that says For Kay. I never can remember to change the name. I haven't gotten to hang of this yet.
: Lynda, I'm so sorry to hear about the trouble you had. I hope the effect wears off soon. I have done research too. I understand that the effects of Botox don't last. I've never had any injections ever. That's what scares me most. I just looked up research thats been done with Botox and basically all of it had positive results. Your's must be a rare case. I've had these muscle spasms in my neck since Apr. this year. I was in a snowtubing accident in Mar. 99 and went to PT first. I made improvement until I went back to work(teaching) in Aug. and started hurting again in my back. My neck was fine. I went to a chiro who was highly recommended and did OK until Apr. and for some reason the adjustment the chiro did backfired. Now I'm in worse shape than I was a year ago. I'm in constant pain in my neck and shoulder. I already have weakness in my arm so I'm concerned when I read that weakness is one of the side effects. Anyway I need some relief from this pain. Sorry if I bored you. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers. Kay
: : 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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