Botox® Experiences - Carol Lanham
Botox® treatment for my HFS started in 2002, four years after the onset of symptoms. I received treatments every three months thereafter. The first treatment, administered by a neurologist, brought relief from the spasms but left the entire left side of my face drooping with a stroke-like appearance. Even though less Botox® was used on the next treatment, the results were the same. After a few treatments, the neurologist again lessened the dose of Botox® and decreased the number and location of injections. This provided some relief, but only for a few weeks each treatment, never for the full three months.
In 2003 I started treatment with a different neurologist. He was much more conscientious than the previous one. He concentrated more on the eye area and less in the mouth area. However, I still looked as though I'd had a stroke. I started a weekly photo journal for my neurologist so I could actually show him my Botox® treatment results. He changed injection sites and totally stopped doing any cheek or mouth area injections. Still, I had minimal relief and had problems eating and talking. I continued with the weekly photo journal, which my doctor appreciated. He could see any and all changes the Botox® made. I might add, the photos were taken with spasm and without spasm once weekly and I kept a diary of spasm and tonus frequency. He began increasing the amount of Botox® per injection when he saw I was getting little relief. My August 2005 treatment gave me no relief and the photo diary was testimony to that. The doctor tried once more, in November, increasing the dosage and only injecting the eye area but stated, in his opinion, Botox® was no longer a treatment option for me. He was right, as the November treatment failed to give any relief.
My neurologist conferred with others in his field and it was determined my only treatment option is surgery.
Permission granted the HFSA to post Botox® Experience on website.
Carol Lanham, January 16, 2006
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