“Things i wish i knew...things i forgot”
Botox: NOT worth it
Pain: Worst possible
I had Botox injections 8 or so years ago and did not like the way I felt after I had it done. I felt dizzy immediately after and I felt anxious for days. The most disappointing thing that happened was that my sinuses became irritated, making me feel like I had a head cold for three months until it wore off. I suffered through and swore I would never do it again. But as time wore on, I forgot. I thought maybe I got "over Botoxed".
Having had my frown lines, forehead, crows feet all done at the same time. So I investigated Juvaderm this time around and felt confident enough to go in to a different doctor to have this filler fill in a few scars around my chin and maybe relax the frown lines. While I was there my doctor convinced me I should get "just a little Botox". Alright... I agreed. Big mistake! It has now been six weeks and besides a little bruising at the Juviderm injection areas... the Juviderm I feel happy with, but not with the Botox areas.
The receptionist reminded me that the Juviderm is put just under the skin where as the Botox is injected into the muscle, making the injection hurt more. Ah ha... this was something I had not considered. Immediately it felt like a house was on top of my head. Pressure in my nose and sinus area still persist today. I have headaches, before I rarely had a head ache.
My neck hurts, my sinuses fill up and my nose is plugged and then it empties and I can breath. If I try and raise my eyebrows it tugs on everything, nose, eyes. My eyes feel dry... like there is sand in them. My eyelids droop... to the point where I need to use two hands to curl my eyelashes now (lift and curl). This has all caused quite a bit of anxiety, which doesn't make it any better.
Now...let me add this note: I look fabulous :-) And I figure it is my summer to wear head bands and show off my fore head because it is the last summer it will look like this. But Girlfriends I promise you... it is better to feel good then to look good. This is just my story and just something to consider before you go under the needle...
Jul 20, 2008Comments and replies (27)
7 posts
2 Dec 2008
I, too had the same reaction as you, on my 5 round of Botox. Flu symptoms, anxiety, dry mouth, sweaty palms and feet going on 5 months now. I completely agree with your statement, it is better to feel good than to look good! As much as I LOVED getting botox, it is not worth the months of feeling crappy, the medications trying to treat these symptoms, or the mounds of medical bills trying to figure out what was wrong with me. This is just my story and I am sticking to it!
4 posts
8 Dec 2008
Yes... sweaty palms and feet... I forgot to put that one down. That was weird and very unnerving. Thanks for writing me... I just prayed that posting a comment would help and/or encourage one person and then it would give a little purpose to the three months of stress this put me though. Blessings to you-Uh Oh
12 posts
26 Dec 2008
Yikes!! I sure hope this doesn't last 5 months!!! 2 panic attacks/ER visits and not even 2 wks since Botox!! I will be popping Xanax way too long!!! Stomach problems are the worst! Right eye slightly blurred. Gee, they said I looked 29 in the ER though, not bad for a 42 yr old...NOT WORTH IT!!!!
12 posts
26 Dec 2008
Oh yeah, Not only do I have nasal and sinus congestion too, but a sinus infection. Antibiotic cost me another $75. Thank God Xanax is cheap, too bad it's addictive. At what price beauty? I'm trying heat/cold therapy and massage to try and rid it out of my body faster. Will also try a detox regimen.
1 post
2 Jan 2009
I have always had great results with Botox. Got talked into doing a bit more this last time...mistake! The day after the injections, I not only got a horrible headache,but I thought I had the flu. It has now been about three weeks and I still feel like I have the flu. My nose is sooo stuffy in the morning and my left eye looks really small in the morning.(Gets only slightly better after blowing my nose a hundred times!!!) My eyelids also look really wrinkled and dry and my eyes are very weepy throughout the day. I am completely freaked-out that this will not get better with time!!! I have also experienced the anxiety and depression as well! I have been massaging my forehead each night hoping to "wake" these muscles in my forehead...don't think it is helping. I really think less is more as far as Botox is concerned!
4 posts
3 Jan 2009
Hope this will calm some nerves... I too tried the massaging, the heat... hoping it would get out of my system quicker. It's the "over thinking" that makes it all worse, but try as you might it still is all consuming for a season. I wrote about it so I would 1. Never forget and 2. that it would help others. But let me say... it will stop and you're life will get back to normal. I got my injections in June 08 and it all finally subsided in August 08. It is so strange to me that the licensed practices that inject this stuff give you no warning or suggestions for antidote. Pass it on and don't ever forget the feeling you have right now... and you will be better for it and so will your children and the friends you warn.
12 posts
5 Jan 2009
I felt tons better after 1 round of antibiotics for my sinus infection, can breathe easier anyway. Anxiety is a bit better too, but still have moments, as well as tummy trouble. I feel so stupid that my sculpted eyebrows look uneven now too. Guess I'll be taking Xanax a while longer. UGH!!
12 posts
5 Jan 2009
BTW, massage and heat DID seem to help a bit. So did taking hot baths with lavender for relaxation. Thanks for the feedback.
19 posts
1 Feb 2009
Sucks! I hear you. I did botox 6 times, and although I experienced some aesthetic issues, the first 3 times I never had bad "side effects" until my 4th time, wicked sinus infection, anxiety, and major insomnia, lasting about a month. Pretty much a psychological nightmare. Don't know why it did not happen first 3 times. Totally frustrating. No one has answers either. Feel ripped off that I can't be in on the fountain of youth!
unregistered guest
24 Feb 2009
I've tried botox twice and both times have gotten severe flus 12-20 days later. While a Dr would probably say its unrelated my sense is the botox was a factor. I love the results but 1 week of downtime is not worth it. I'm super healthy so I have a good sense for what's going on in my body. Botox is not good for me. Wish I had this info sooner.