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
I am currently almost 4 months out from my shot and have had several “not so bad ” days in a row. The main improvement I’ve had is that I no longer have the acute sense of anxiety, or terror, 24/7. I am still extremely weak and can only walk about a mile. Although that is also an improvement, it is nowhere near the 12 hours a week I exercised previously as a fitness instructor. Two weeks ago, I had several good days in a row and tried to teach a 30 minute Zumba class, which led to a huge crash afterwards. On and off for the last few years, I now know that it was related to the Botox, I have been having “crashes”, after working out. They would come on right afterwards or up to 12 hours later, but the onset is fairly rapid and it feels like all the energy is being sucked out of my body. It is rather terrifying, and can take a day to a week to recover from. Has anyone experienced something like this? Over time, the thing that has seemed to help the most when a crash is coming on is, oddly enough, eating bananas. Sometimes, that actually prevents a full blown crash. Eating a banana also helps me get to sleep during the periods of insomnia. I haven’t taken any medications because I’ve been too afraid to add anything to the mix, and also I’ve had several instances of my body overreacting to medications when I frst started having these problems. Well, actually I could go on forever, because this has been the story of my life for the past few years-I guess maybe I already have.
Hi, Rose!
First and foremost I want to give you a hug!!!
I really understand how you feel. It’s hell.
I just like you read about Botox side effects before my treatment with 29 Units of Botox. It was infromation that there had been no cases of botulism following cosmetic treatment. What a lie!
I think many people find it difficult to link their symptoms with Botox (it does not get better when doctors deny side effects.
You must know that you are getting better but it takes time. You are not alone and we will support you.
Maria
Hi Maria,
Thanks for your response and support! I do hope that i will get better, but it definitely scares me that I have done this to myself several times and I hope I don’t end up with permanent damage to my body! I can’t even begin to read the article that somebody posted on the website about long term outcomes for botulism poisoning. Too scary!
Rose
Hi Rose,
Iam in the fitness industry as well and Botox destroyed my carrer.I still work for few hours a week , but not the same as before Botox , I was full of energy and worked 30-35 hours a week.Ive been suffering now 28 months, I feel much better than in the first 12 months , but the symptoms still on-off and I feel the poison circulating in my body.
Iam based in the UK and had the ( 4 ) Botox treatments in Hungary.I went to many doctors in the UK , (in Hungary the doctors didnt take me seriously ).
Two of the doctors believed me totally that my illness was from Botox.One of them is a well known private neurologist , he told me he has many clients from Botox poisoning.He is not able to proof that the Botox is still in the body but in his experience with clients the poison travels to the central nerve system and blocks the signals to the brain thats why we get so many symptoms.Actually it can effects the all function of the body.My first symptoms were heart and breathing problem , and huge tiredness.When the immune system starts to fight and will build a tissue around the poison , the symptoms will be lighter, but the poison itself can stay in the body for many years.
Also I went to a professional Chiropracter who has a Thermographic Scan. I had the scan twice , 18 months ago and 3 months ago. The results is very interesting.This is the only thing that showed I have significantly lowered function of the central nervous system.The second scan showed about 50 percentage recovery.
The results is coming up on the screen by colour , its very interesting to see.
If you have a chance please go to have a Thermographic Scan, I ask many of as as possible , I would like to compare our results.
The neurologic doctor told me , everybody is different the recovery time is different as well with every single person.He does not know how to cure the situation , he adviced me to deal with the symptoms with like accupuncture , sauna, herbal or medication for the symptoms.
I was scared to take any medication, iam still very paranoid about my health , I dont take anything , not even vitamine C. The only intake was for a while vitamine D , as the blood results showed lowered in vitamine D.
I had blood test every months for checking up.
You can email me ( maria.bajo@btinternet.com ) if you want also you can find me on facebook.We are many of us connected on facebook as well,to support eachother.
When I got ill in 2009, I didnt connect the illness to the Botox for 3 months.I found a forum and had able to connect to people who actually saved my life with their letters , who had the same situation.That forum is bought by doctors a few months ago, so Iam very glad to see this communitysupport Forum where people can connect again.
Where are you based Rose?
Iam positive about recovery because the human body is a fighter , the immune system can cure itself , we have to keep the very healthy lifestyle , no more poison.. and it will be ok.
Maria B.
Hi Maria. Would you mind sharing the name of your neurologist in the UK? You can email me at chictar@yahoo.com. My neurologist might be interested in talking with them. Thanks much.