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On August 3rd, 2011, I received injections of Botox in my lower forehead as well as Dysport in the upper part. The nightmare (or "day"mare, rather, since nightmares would require sleep) has been intense, and, until recently, unrelenting. I hope that, by sharing my story, I can help other sufferers claw their way slowly back to health and optimism.

Hey everyone I was badly overdosed with dysport about six months ago. I went in asking for a very small dose of botox, as I had not heard of dysport, but had heard that people sometimes used smaller doses to 'retrain' muscles to be more 'relaxed' over time. This was the effect I was interested in, I really didn't care about my 'wrinkles' I just felt I carried a lot of old stress in the muscles of my face and that by 'resetting' my internal feelings and the 'feedback loops' come from holding this tension for so many years, I could maybe break these cycles of holding tension there and maybe it would help me feel more relaxed, if my face was more relaxed. I explained all this carefully to a very experienced plastic surgeon who I had worked with on other things. I specified I wanted a natural result where I could 'still make expressions' and still 'look like me'. I didn't want any drastic effect and I was very clear about my goals. The doctor became very excited about my 'beautiful high forehead' and insisted I should do it and I would totally love it. He assured me it would only last a few months and would completely go away if anything happened I did not like. For some unkown reason he then went on to give me a full dose and didn't really do a very good job of placing it. From the first week I knew something was going wrong. My forehead completely froze, and it spread way down so that my eyebrows lost all of thier arch and just became flat immobile rocks. it was very hard to open my eyes and all the light and sparkle went out of my eyes. All the softness went out of my face. people started asking me why I looked so angry suddenly. I had terrible headaches and anxiety, felt extremely sick and had insomnia and extreme fatigus as well as apetite and other personality changes. I eventually had to take medicine for the anxietiy. I actually have had suicidal thoughts which is extreemly out of character for me. Its been devastating for my relationships and social life. It was completely awful. I could tell right away it was much much stronger than what I would have wanted and talked with the dr several times about it. He was very understanding at first and even admitted he had 'made a mistake' by not taking more time to evaluate my individual anatomy. He kept telling me 'wait another month' 'wait another month'. I waited patiently until the two-three month mark. at this time it started noticeably wearing off and I thought the nightmare was over. but it was just beginning. as the dysport lost effect, suddenly I developed two extremely long, deep gashes on the right side of my face above the eyebrow. They were HIDEOUS. It took a lot of reserch to find out what they were, I eventually found out that as a result of the overdose and bad placement, this had caused the lesser treated muscles to compensate for the frozen muscles, and this caused the awful new wrinkles. My dr completely admitted they were not there before and were caused by the dysport. So this was when things started to get bad. It has been six months now and my face still is not in any way normal. these recruitment lines have barely moved and are stil longer, larger, and deeper than any other feature on my face. I have had wrinkles for twenty years that are not as long and deep as these recruitment lines. they are HIDEOUS. noone can tell me this will -ever- go away, which is terrifying. My daughter was so worried about me with my constant headaches and bizarre effects that she went to the doctor with me, asking for my money back, and asking him to explain to us when this would go away. He looked panicky and confused, said 'no refunds ever' said 'i have nothing to help you' said 'maybe try acupuncture' then squeezed my hand and left. Since then noone in his office will talk to me. I don't understand why as I told them I felt it was an honest mistake and just wanted to work togehter to help make it better. They didn't seem to care aobut this and simply wont answer any questions or even really talk with me at all now. They will NOT assure me this wil go away at this point, they say the dysport cannot be doing this (bullshit) and that it must be a neurological issue (bullshit) I can tell this is not true as my face is still very stiff and other doctors have told me the dysport is defniitely still in effect. so this is all very sad and I don't know what to do. I have found a few people who have completely recovered, but many people who seemingly haven't. Like the pereson who started this group, I jsut want to know if this will ever go away. This six months has been among the most awful and trying of my entire life. sometimes it seems as though the lines are minimizing, but it is taking SOO LONG. I cant tell if its wishful thinking or im just getting used to it. I stil look really abnormal and cant make any normal expressions. all my expressions are distorted and unnatural. I just want to know that this will even maybe, go away and I will be myself again.

I received Botox in Feb 2011. I have had severe side effects. I would like to use this site to promote awareness of these side effects.

Prior to 12/07/2009; I was active in life with my digital/acrylic arts, creative arts, exercise, just getting ready to celebrate Christmas & to start back to school. I've been single for many years, I have three grown children, & my little dog. My reason for being on this site is because on 12/07/09 I was seriously injured from having Dysport injections. I have never had Botox or Dysport before, so of course I researched about this product, comparing it to botox & found it to be safe. After my injuries, & reporting to the FDA with further research, I had also discovered what was not made known to me before the injections, of what is called a 'Black Box Warning'. It's basically a thumbs up to the doctors for the usage of this product, with this WARNING. Like many of us, I research, know my body, safety oriented, & trust the doctor that I choose to work on me, etc. My doctor was having & continues to have all these coupon specials that lure her new patients in. I've watched her company grow= more money & power in her pocket. I'm also quite aware that she's not genuine. She infact had totally negected me while I was so sick from the dysport. Elizabeth VandeerVeer [doctor] trained the nurse which injected me. Ironically, shortly after my injury the nurse no longer worked for this doctor. I was told so many things from lawyers. I had a justified case on 3 counts, however, the statute of limitations was running out of time for me. So I had to go out of state. I tried this, & time would continue to pass by. I can only assume that this doctor has very much covered her tracks, while my life doesn't mean anything. To her, the FDA, the manufacturer, & the medical board. All of my doctors affiliated with this, were all educated from OHSU. This also makes me wonder, extensively, about the tight legal system. Just breathe.. Yes, I'm angry!

I rec'd botox in May 2011 and my world has completely been turned upside down. Never did I think that making such a simple decision to take a "safe" drug (as doctors and the media say) could have such a horrific impact on my life. I need this community to give me hope that I will completely recover and I hope others can learn from my experience and I can in turn offer you some hope.

Had Botox a week ago. Noticed weird things in my face that i am worried about. My eyes look very hollow and when i exercise there are several veins on my forehead that look very worrying and fierce. The doctor did not ask me anything about my skin or what i went in for, was just keen to give me botox and get it over as fast as possible

Hi, I have created this site with Annette after she has had a terrible experience after getting botox.

I am 44 years old, very fit and healthy woman prior to my botox treatment. On the night after the botox I woke with a panic attack, feeling very hot. I was then awake for hours. I have only ever experienced panic attacks when flying in the past. The night after I slept well and thought that the symptoms had passed. Since then I have felt progressively more nauseous and my insomnia and anxiety at night has increased.

I had Botox 12/7/2010. Within 3 weeks I was rushed to the hospital with hives, and difficulty breathing, since then I have had tendonitist in my ankles, dislocated ribs and humorous from muscle spasms , pain in neck, arm, traps,vision issues, ringing in my ears, etc.Now I am having full ears and head pain, post nasal drip. It's been 15 months I am improving but seem to trade one problem for a new one. When will this end?

I had Botox on March 8, 2012. I was at school (I am a teacher) and all of a sudden I did not feel right. It like like everything was racing. I got up and almost passed out. Then I seriously though that I was dying. I know this sounds so crazy but I felt like if I closed my eyes I would die - I was fighting it. The parademics came to my school then I was rushed to the hospital. The entire time I kept thinking I was going to die. I have never had a panic attack EVER and did not know this was what was happening. I had an EKG and a CAT scan. Even after the doctor told me the CAT scan was fine I STILL did not believe him. He gave me a zanax and I definitely began to feel better. But then four hours later I began to feel the same symptoms. I took another Zanax and went to bed. It is the next day when I am writing this. I don't feel like I am going to die, but I do have a headache. The doctor did not think this was due to Botox.Never again in my life will I ever get Botox again. I would rather look like a prune than go through that.

I am a 48 year old married female with one child. I had injections of 30 units of botox on 12/16/11 to my forehead. I became ill within hours with severe side-effects that my doctor said woud be transient -- but she didn't say possibly two-years of transient.

I am 48 years old and have just completed my 5th botox session of injections for my TMJ/TMD problem. I get injections into my temples, jaw joints, and trapezius muscle. This has never happened to me before, but my injections were given to me on September 6, 2011 and for the past 3 weeks I have been having severe head pain, blurry vision, dizziness and severe panic/anxiety attacks.

I love Botox but feel it wears off after 8 weeks

I am 36 years old and I had Botox and Restyline filler on my upper lip on 28.03.12 and a monght later I had a horrible reaction. I thought I am dying.

Im a 32 year old stay at home mom of 3year old identical twin boys a two year old foster child who we are currently looking into adopting. I ran my first marathon this year and love wine and great food.

I am 66 years old, and have had Botox injections for the past five years. About 24 hours later, I had a horrible reaction, and ended up in the emergency room.

Concerned and scared!

I was a healthy person before I got my injection on the 5th of April 2011. A few days later I developped a severe nausea, insomnia, brain fog, fatigue, weired headaches, tinnitus in my left ear, shakes and a need to use a bathroom many times a day due to urinary problems. A GP didn't believe that it's from Botox. She said I have anxiety and probably depression and prescribed me with antidepressant and sleeping pills. The antidepressant is supposed to increasd my appetite, which I still don't have.

I had Botox injections in January 2011. I have had terrible anxiety and muscle fatigue since then. I am very worried and would like to talk to other people on this forum.

Hi! I am a personal trainer/nutrition coach by day, mother of two wonderful kids (aged 9 and 14) by night as well as wife of a great guy who loves me just the way I am; or was, I should say. As all of us on this site have allowed happen, I wanted to try to turn back the clock a few years, I am 51, so decided to try my hand at Dysport. 9 days after my injections, I began experiencing blurry and double vision. Off to an ophthalmologist I went. Eye exam, visual field exam, MRI all revealed nothing. Next step: neurologist. Scared and visually impaired, I remain, 3 weeks into my ordeal!

47 year old female from the UK

I had juvederm ultra 2 injected in glabella in Aug 2011,have had severe neurological symptoms since,many tests symptoms are severe memory loss,nausea vomiting,diahorea,weight loss,muscle weakness,breathlessness,insomnia,burning 24 hours a day in eyes forehead and brain.Cognitive difficulties,dementia like symptoms,feeling of brain suffocation.Hair loss,all over extreme psoriasis,vomiting,fainting,tinnitus.

I received 15 units of Botox on my '' anger line'' in April 2011. After a week I started having healthy problems starting from nausea and now tinnitus...

Black Box Labeling might be important. Wish I had known...

I just got Botox 6 days ago and my symptoms started the next day. After reading all of the posts on here, I'm wondering if they will only get worse. It started with severe anxiety then an extremely heavy head. I feel pressure around my ears too. I have been taking Xanax to relieve some of the anxiety but I worry about the long term effects of taking xanax. I worry constantly and can't think about anything else. I will be starting a new semester in college in jan. but I'm not sure if I can feeling like this. I only had 20 units of Botox on my frown lines but it has really made me sick. I'm so scared!!! Does anybody get better after a few weeks or am I doomed?! My husband and friends think I'm crazy. I have no appetite and I have lost two pounds already. How can I not focus on these symptoms so I can try to live a somewhat normal life?

I received Botox in April 2011 after going into to a medical spa facility to consult with the manager about skin care products, microdermabrasion, etc. I was talked into a few units between my brows but two days later at my appt given 36 units on my forehead's horizontal lines, none on the elevens. Massive communication breakdown. It changed my face into a caricature. I have suffered with multiple symptoms.

My name is Lucy, I am 33 years old and live in Austrlaia. I am fit, healthy, social, work hard in a great job and generally love life. I tried Botox for the first time 2 weeks ago and my life hasn't been the same since.

I have done botox for the last 10 years with no issues. I had 20 units injected on 2/15/12 then the following week 2/22/12 I had another 10 units because I didnt see the results. Around 2/19/12 I had begun taking antibiotics and believe this is why have reacted so severely to the botox.

I am a 39 years old lady and live in Scandinavia. I tried Botox for 14 months ago for the first and the last time. My live has been turned into nightmare since I took Botox. I have not recovered yet. I am so glad to find this forum and understand that I am not crazy. Nobody believes me, they say my symptoms are not to do with Botox, but I know how I feel.

fitness instructor- personal trainer United Kingdom

Received Botox For Migraine Headache (31 injections) on 7/5/2011. I just found this website after googling "botox anxiety nausea insomnia". I am so grateful to know I am not crazy. Thank you for your posts. I think writing with others who are going through the same symptoms is so helpful, especially when doctors say, "I've never heard of botox causing those symptoms."

I am a married 48 year old mother of 3 daughters, grandmother of 3 (soon to be 4). I work full time and in my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, and taking rides in my "mid life crisis" convertible.

I received Botox in Febuary 2011 and suffered severe side effects. I hope this website will change the minds of people considering getting botox, and help all those who are suffering.

I had my first treatment of Botox on April 27th 2011. 20 Units in my frown line area. Instantly I felt panic, within hours I was so lethargic I could not even pick up my ringing mobile phone. I was in a blur like state. My breathing was laboured, my vision was blurred, I had major anxiety, and felt detached almost.

In late May 2010, my once healthy self was transformed into an anxiety ridden and sickly person. I received Botox for the first, and last time, and it forever changed my life. I will never feel invincible as I once did. I felt so weak and vulnerable and simply terrified of what was yet to come. After the injections, I immediately experienced an allergic type reaction with redness and swelling at the injection sites and the nightmare continued for months afterwards. I ended up in the ER a few times. I experienced difficulty swallowing, heart palpitations, sinus issues, weakness, severe anxiety and depression (among other problems) all ensued. Every new ailment that arises scares the heck out of me. I really feel like a year of my life was taken away from me. The feeling of doom was almost unbearable at times and everyday it seemed like some new issue was popping up. After a year, I still have lingering health issues directly related to the Botox. I hope to help bring awareness and maybe help prevent others from going through the hell I lived because of Botox.

I am so happy to find this site as I was feeling so frustrated and lost not knowing whats happining to me. I am a nurse and fitness instractor and always enjoyed a healthy life before I had the botox for cosmatic reasons in November 2010. l felt ill after the 3rd day of having injections. Anxiety, head pressure stiff neck weird sinus problems unable to breath although this might be partly due to severe anxiety and then 2 weeks later insomnia kicked in. I am still suffering from insomnia, and neurolgic pain in my neck and Left leg. My symptoms get better then returns back again without any reasons. After the 7 monhts I was able to sleep 4-5 hours waking up early in the morning but happy to be able to get some sleep. Hovever last month full insomnia returned again. I started taking Amithriptiline 10 mg to help me to fall a sleep. I am only hoping that this is not permenant and will get better in time, but not knowing how I am going to feel tomorrow is so frustrating and effecting my life big time. I found that if I sleep 5-6 hours a night all my other symptoms seem to get better. I just wish that the suffering will stop and some clinical trials will be done to research this further

For the past several years I have been dealing with an unknown health condition, for which I have seen a number of doctors. At various times, I thought it was a post-flu syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, or MS, among other things. A year and a half ago it was so bad, I had to give up my part time work as a fitness instructor for 6 weeks. Throughout this period, I was recieving botox injections for my glabellar lines, but I was never able to make the connection to the injections, for several reasons. I felt anxious directly after my shots, but the crashing fatique, which I now know is basically partial paralysis, usually didn't come until 2 months after the shot. I asked 4 dermatologists whether the botox could make me feel anxious, and they all said no. Two of them even suggested I take anti-anxiety medication before my next shot. I read the botox fact sheet countless times, and I stupidly belived the part that stated that there have been no confirmed cases of botulism poisoning from cosmetic doses in approved sites. In any case, I gradually recovered from my last shot, over the course of a year , to the point where I was almost back to normal- I felt great. At that point, I made an appt for a skin consultation with a dermatologist. She suggested botox, and once again when I told her it made me feel anxious,she said she'd never heard of that. I consented to a very small dose- 10 units, figuring that would be safe. Immediately after the injection,I felt awful. That night I woke up with terrible vertigo, and from there it was a downward slide, where I gradually lost my strength, and all my old nerve symptoms returned. This time, I started to realise that the botox had more to do with my problems, but it wasn't until I found this website that everything became crystal clear. (I have been following it for 2 months , but only now feel well enough to register). About 2 months post- botox I had my hugest crash of all. I could barely move for 2 weeks, couldn't drive, could barely lift a cup to my mouth. I once again had to give up all my fitness class jobs.I'm now almost 4 months out and still extremely weak. This last episode is the worst one I have had, even though I recieved fewer units. It absolutely horrifies me to think what I have been doing to my body.I have been a fitness and health fanatic for my entire life, and would never have taken this risk, had I known. Thank you for starting this website! I can't tell you how much I wish I had seen it earlier. I do think there are many people out there,like us, who are having health problems and not connecting it to the botox. Hopefully, this website will begin to open peoples eyes to it's dangers.

40 year old female, mother of 2 young children, work in marketing in UK. I am naturally a happy and bubbly person who lives a hectic and busy life. I had tried botox before 4 times over 3 years and never had a problem, had azzalure on 24th Feb (dysport) and this has changed my life. I am trying to take each day as it comes.

I have been getting botox for approx 7 years with no side effects. The last time, about ten days ago, I thought nothing happened, but when I woke up this morning I found my right eye was drooping. How long does this last or is it permanent? I also have severe tennitis. I never thought this could be from the botox. Have I ruined myself for life?

Single woman who was very active (runner, biker) prior to receiving injection. Was a very outgoing, healthy person with lots of interests and friends prior to this nightmare but have turned into a reclusive and ill person that just tries to make it through each day. I was injected with Dysport in April 2010. Within 3 days of the injection, I started having trouble breathing and ended up in the ER. Stress test, chest Xray done and were normal....after 24 hours was okay and sent home. Five days later, I started having extreme head pressure, dry mouth, felt tingling down the sides of my cheeks, got chills/sweats, and felt horribly sick. Back to the ER…..more blood work/CT scan…and again, all normal. I had told my treating physicians about my injections (I told them at my first ER visit as well)….and they really didn’t know what to do other than just tell me to follow up with my internist. A few days later……my symptoms continued to get worse. I developed EXTREME dry mouth, chest tightness, my throat started closing up, the nerves all over my body started shaking, eyes became blurred, started with extreme ear pressure, shoulders became tight…my forearms and shins became weak. My heart would start racing so fast and so hard I thought it was going to pop out of my chest. I had incontinence…I also had weakening in my colon and couldn’t go to the bathroom. All of these things would come/go……they seemed to move around my body. When my neck would tighten…..my arms/legs would be fine. When my legs/arms would become weak…my neck would be fine. None of what was happening to me made any sense, although most of my symptoms correlated with the warnings on the Dysport website and label, neither of which I knew about prior to receiving the injections. My body became very sensitive to medications...and after trying several as prescribed.....they seemed to only make the symptoms worse. My headache pain/pressure then became so completely intolerable….after trying the maximum dosage of a prescription pain killer with no relief…..and after 10 hours of excruciating pain……I went again to the ER and was admitted for 2 days. I had an MRI in the hospital….and again nothing structurally was found that would be causing such pain. I was finding it difficult to talk as my jaw would sometimes become tight….and had a hard time eating as I wasn’t producing any saliva. I had already lost 12 pounds in 3 weeks. I could only manage to drink 1-2 bottles of Ensure daily to maintain what little strength that I had. A few days later……I became EXTREMELY sensitive to light, sound, and movement. I couldn’t go outside as the street noise would cause nerve reactions. I could only sit in a dark room for the same reason. I couldn’t watch TV or be on the computer because the light would bother my eyes. I obviously couldn’t drive……and couldn’t even sit in a car without staring at the floor as the movement of objects whizzing by would cause the nerve reactions. Nerve sensation would shoot down the back of my neck and cause my arm and chest muscles to contract and become stiff. I was pretty homebound except for my trips to the doctors……which I scheduled one per day so that I at least had something to do other than just sit in a chair and just “feel” whatever havoc the toxin was doing to my body. Each minute felt like and hour. I started experiencing panic attacks…..something I had never experience before in my life. My internist was just monitoring me. Taking notes, watching what was happening…..checking my vitals……and put me on a heart monitor for a month. By this time I couldn’t take care of myself…..nor could I be alone due to the fear. The symptoms would come and go…..and some new ones would appear. The waves would be so bad that I needed someone with me to talk me through them. A friend moved in with me to help me through the worst of it. I of course had to take leave from work around Week 3...and didn’t return until Week 16. I eventually had to leave my home and move in temporarily with family. From an alternative treatment standpoint……I was told not to try anti-toxin programs as my body was in such a weakened state that any other stressors would not be tolerable. Acupuncture, massage....only made things worse. Blood tests were taken to measure my nutritional levels of vitamins, etc in my system, and was placed on a nutritional supplement program to help my body heal. The symptoms became less intense and less frequent over time through months 4-8 post-injection. I did not have a day where I was symptom-free……but I learned how to live with them enough to be able to get through the days. I would have setbacks and waves of severe symptoms on occasion, but the waves would not last as long as they did in the beginning. At 8 months post injection……I was still taking medications prescribed earlier for headaches and insomnia (the only 2 medications that my body would tolerate). Symptoms would come and go....not really following any pattern or reasons for doing so. I was still having head pressure, ear pressure, ears ringing, dizziness, tingling in my cheeks, and muscle weakness. I couldn’t exercise yet due to the muscle weakness. Was still having occasional heart “racing” and nerve shakes. Some days were worse than others. But.....by one year post-injection...I thought I was really through the worst of it. By June/July 2011....I went two months of being symptom-free....and I thought I was in the clear. I was starting to run again....starting to feel fairly normal again. But unfortunately...the nightmare was not over. At the beginning of August (17+moonths post-injection).....the symptoms begain to return. They started all over like they did in the beginning....starting gradually with head sensations, labored breathing, tingling in the arms and legs. I would feel a little "something" more with each passing week....and within 30 days of the first feeling of the return of the symptoms....I had to leave work, again, and had to move in with family, again.,,,,and in September 2011....I became so weak....I had to be hospitalized, again. More MRIs, blood work, tests and more tests. There was nothing "else" found that can explain these symptoms. At the time of this writing.....it is November 2011 and I am still 100% fully symptomatic. What makes this frustrating and frightening is that I have even developed worse symptoms than with the first "bout"......and the severity and longevity of this relapse is even more difficult to tolerate....physically and emotionally. I have muscle tightness, convulsions, seizure-type episodes, unrelenting naseau, tightness in my brain, can’t think straight, parathesia, extreme extreme extreme anxiety, shooting nerve sensations down my back and all over my body, extreme weakness, pain in my eyes…heart racing and shaking so badly I can hardly function. I do wonder if I will ever be well again.

Received botox 3 times before, no problem at all. The fourth time has been a disaster. Haven't felt good in over a week.

I'm 41 years old and had a bad botox reaction from my injections on March 9, 2011. Initially my reactions were very severe and the first episode landed me in the ER thinking I was going to die. Thankfully my injecting doctor confirmed my symptoms were botox related and advised there was nothing to do but treat the symptoms. I tired some natural things, some helped, some didn't and am looking forward to discussing different treatments on this site. At 4 months I still have some symptoms that come and go but am so much better than I initially was. This is by far the most challenging thing I have ever been through and the fear that surrounds this all has made it difficult to cope at times. Connecting with others who were also going through the same thing as I was saved me and I really want to reach out to those who are also going through this so they know they are not alone and they are going to be okay.

Mom of 3, first time Botox

I am the busy mother of a two wonderful children - one son has just turned 5 and the other is now 15. I have a very helpful and supportive partner who helps me out at home with the children. We barely escaped with our lives during the Black Saturday bushfires here in Australia in February 2009 but that is another (long) story..!! Our 15 year old has severe Cerebral Palsy (spastic quadriplegia), is fed via a tube (gastro-jejunal or 'GJ' tube), has a Tracheostomy to breathe and is fully dependant for all aspects of daily life and relies on his wheelchair full-time for mobility as he is unable to walk and talk. He has scoliosis, osteoporosis and suffers from spasticity (very tight stiff muscles that cause pain) and muscle spasms. He was born 2 weeks overdue after a normal pregnancy, with HIE - Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy or severe oxygen deprivation which caused his brain damage. He spent the first few weeks in an induced coma to try to lessen the seizures he was having and wasn't supposed to live past his first week of life. He has endured many operations in his 15 years and has a very long list of specialists whom he sees for various chronic health issues. I have posted my son's story here on the site, which goes into further detail about what happened to him.

makeup artist/hair stylist, 12 year salon owner gone freelance

I'm 41, an accountant and also a part-time dancer. Live in Canada.