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botox side effects - neck pain?

By alhuff26 on 24 Sep 2011

when used medically two of the most common side effects of botox are headaches and neck pain. obviously we know a lot of us have experienced the botox headache but what about the neck pain? I had my botox about 36 hours ago and my neck is killing me. I'm trying to tell myself its just because I had injections in my neck so the muscles are sore because I'm terrified that its a side effect that will last the next three to four months. I dont know if i could handle that! does anyone else have experience with neck pain from botox?

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colourful64 12 May 2013

long story short... migraines gave me seizures.. started botox injections around 2003... forehead behind ears neck jaw chin trapz... every four months... thats a lot of botox... 4 vials every time.. i have consistantly had the same doctor for 8 of those years.. here is what i know.. every doctor injects different depths sometimes it really hurts somwtimes nothing, sometimes it bruises sometimes it dont And more often than not... it works... ive had it done where it absolutely did nothing but most times it works. so two days ago i had my injections.. and this time i am really suffering with my neck. . its lalmost as if the strong toght muscles were weakened and now the lazy muscle has to work harder and its having trouble.. so yeah... sometimes it works better than othwrs.. but to me well worth it

Kobu 4 May 2013

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Magicpd 1 May 2013

I've not had Botox in my neck but hope you don't mind me commenting on you forum! Had 1st ever Botox on Monday to try and help with pain near my shoulder. Since then (I know it's still early days) but it has been stinging constantly since and hurts to lay on my back and walking my dog earlier today almost made me feel sick because of pain. Any suggestions please?! Thanks Vicky

Phil NY 26 Apr 2013

I have been getting Botox injections for the past year for my migraines. First off I have not had any of the complications that a lot of the people here have reported. I had my injection today and was actually talking to my doc about this and he said there are many factors that can cause such side effects from how the Botox is mixed to angle and depth of injection. I am fortunate enough to receive my injections every three months from a VA hospital. When serving my country I was exposed or given "something" and it resulted in migraines. Not just ordinary migraines but debilitating migraines accompanied by dizziness, black outs, weakening all over, memory loss, fatigue in addition to all the normal aches and pains accompanied by migraines such as light sensitivity. It got to the point where I felt like a vampire and could not get out of bed for months at a time. These treatments gave me back my life. Depending on who injects me, it varies each time, determines the degree of my side effects. I get about 40 injections on my forehead, side of my head, back of my head and the neck/spine area. When one doc does it the swelling is greater than when another does it. Overall I call it my lost weekend. I am dizzy all that day, my balance is shot and I have extreme fatigue. This lasts till Sunday evening and then I am a new man. For me these side effects are worth it. I hope that everyone here can find the solutions and peace that I have and not have to deal with docs that care more about the dollar than correct procedure. So for everyone out there just know that you are not alone and it doesn't have to be like this. Read about it more and find the right doc. I hope this has helped someone in some way.

Tricia G 19 Apr 2013

I got Botox done 2 weeks ago and my neck hurts so bad and I'm still getting migraines! I'm so depressed. I can't do anything because I have to keep my head rested. I would not recommend this treatment to anyone!!!! It doesn't work!

JekyllHyde 1 Apr 2013

I went through Botox injections for migraines 3 weeks ago and my neck and traps have been in agony since! I have one flattened and two herniated discs in my neck, along with two vertebrae auto fusions on one side of my neck. It's been manageable for a number of years through pain management, but I was concerned that the injections would possibly cause a problem. The doctor said that it wouldn't. I've just finished a 6 day prednisone pack to see if it would help with the stiffness and pain that started from the Botox injections and it hasn't done much, if anything at all. I'm really hoping that the weakened muscles from the injections hasn't compromised my neck with its already compromised structure. Not looking forward to what might be another two months of this before the Botox wears off! And really hoping it won't cause any long term effects!

BevB24 25 Apr 2013

I'm to get botox for migraines next week. After reading this I am not certain to go ahead. I've had 3 neck surgeries-fused from C3-T1. Always have neck and muscle pain. What does your doc say now and are you feeling better. Bubbles, April 25, 2013

David57 6 Mar 2013

6 Mar 2013 I had botox injections in neck for dystonia eight weeks ago. Still have pain at the site of the injection. Has anyone had this shot and pain at this site for this long? David57

NikkiS 10 May 2013

i just had botox injections today for dystonia. I am unable to hold my head up since March. it wants to keep going back looking up at the ceiling. So the dr. said I have dystonia and told me about the botox. I've been out of work for 2 months and in bed, so tried the botox today. Feeling feverish, with horrible headache and sick to my stomach like i'm going to throw up any moment. Did you have same symptoms---unable to hold head up unless propped against a wall? and then did you have the same side effects from the botox??

Jjoey57 27 Feb 2013

I am 6 weeks post Botox. Was my first go round with it. I have had all the neck & shoulder pain , weakness... It's been really wierd sensation. The whole hard to swallow thing also. I will say it has subsided mostly, as it got better week after week. I sleep with a heating pad on my neck for a while every night. I use a lot of bio flex and about 2x week I take muscle relaxer at night. That all has helped. I have only had one bad headache and a couple very minor ones. I don't like the side effects, but I am very thankful that most days I wake up a normal human bring with no headache! The trade off at this point is better! I will go round two, and take it again day by day!

Want off the boat 3 Mar 2013

Seven weeks post Botox and neck pain is a little better the last couple of days but I am still not anywhere normal! Leaning over a little better but muscles in my neck are still paralyzed. I have fluid in my neck! Wish you well!! After all the emails I have read you seem to have the most symptoms like me!

Jjoey57 3 Mar 2013

It is the weirdest thing isn't it? The numbness & weak muscles... Hard to explain to others. I am very glad I found this forum though, so I know I am not alone....

Want off the boat 4 Mar 2013

Today was 7 wks post Botox! The last couple of days I am starting to feel some relief! Leaning down is still uncomfortable but a lot better! The last 7 wks has seemed like 7 months!!! Like you , I have said I wish I could describe this feeling! Thanks for your email!!!

ilyceb 5 Mar 2013

Glad to hear that you are feeling better, you should start to get better day by day. I know that I will not go back to the injections, I will stay with medications as the Botox side effects were worse than the migraines. Good luck!

Want off the boat 5 Mar 2013

Thanks for responding to my email! Last 2 days have been the best I have felt in 7 wks! I finally feel like I will be back to normal soon!

ilyceb 6 Mar 2013

It will only get better as the days go by, are you going to get more Botox?

Want off the boat 6 Mar 2013

Not down my neck for SURE! My dr will be back my next visit and I have a lot of questions. I live in Charlotte,NC and go to Durham, NC. for treatment.

Jjoey57 6 Mar 2013

Yes i am, in 6 weeks. I saw doc yesterday, we went through the symptom list, she is going to give the same spot injections however, modify the dose in the shoulders and neck area a tad bit to try and help with the weakness and sensitivity to the botox, like the hard to swallow etc... again, overall i am very happy with the results. going down this path i will be observing the next 6 weeks as well as agin the post injection next as well... to see if same, or different ... i guess one never knows... lol.

Patricia3 16 Mar 2013

I am having the same side effects as you with the neck feeling "paralyzed". It is the most horrible feeling. I had my botox10 days ago and I know sometimes the side effects wear off, but this is not something I was expecting and I still have the hedaches! I go to see the neurologist on Monday I'm feeling so bad.

swingfield 3 May 2013

7 weeks?? Oh wow.. I got my first round a little over a week ago.. I am active in shape 45 year old woman.. Can't do squat now. The pain had now radiated down my neck into my shoulder blades.. The strangest feeling of actually feeling it move down! I had a ponytail headache for a couple days.. But not one migraine.. Am hoping that its just the muscles being tightened up from the botox itself.. Are the second and third rounds have the same recovery pain?? Or is it just ether initial dose?? Making me nervous to get second round! My neck feels so jacked up and weak its crazy!

ilyceb 4 May 2013

Since I had my muscles tighten so badly after the first round of botox, my doctor and I decided that I would stay on Topomax and not go for the second round of shots. The side effects of the shots were worse than the migraines.

Clarissa2667 4 May 2013

I so agrees with you I lost movement on the left side of my face for three weeks .. I'm never doing the shots again

Angerig2 15 May 2013

Same symptoms , but again ..... No headache .... I have to day a migraine is far worse than this neck pain . I'm hoping the weaker muscle will get stoner over time