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Botox Nightmare-Ended Up in ER-Never Will Get Injected Again! Horrible...

No More Botox
updated 3 years ago

Not Worth It
Cost: $480
Tennessee

I am in my late 20's and had a nurse at a...

30 May 2010

I am in my late 20's and had a nurse at a local spa suggest Botox for my forehead to correct wrinkles/lines and crows feet. She tole me I could expect a "Botox headache" and maybe flu-like symptoms for a day or two after.

It has been 5 days since I was injected and as I write this, my heart is racing, the left side of my face is numb and tingly, and I have muscle weakness and extreme anxiety. Almost immediately after being injected for the first time, I swelled up with bumps on the injection sites, turned red and was sensitive to the touch, at each injection location. I also felt sick to my stomach, tired, weak and could not eat. I also had a taste in the back of my throat, like the Botox was coming down my sinuses or something of that nature. It had a weird, medicinal taste to it.

I called the nurse who administered the Botox and received an RX steroid cream to reduce the swelling/redness. It helped, but now I have bruising, and the area in between my eyes looks off and I have a "stern" look. The night after the injection, I noticed that the left side of my face was numb and had a tingling sensation, my noise was also very itchy which I found bizarre but is probably due to the tingling sensation. I also noticed that my eyebrows felt very heavy and were beginning to droop! (this is a known side effect of Botox I now know.

I have lost 3 lbs in 5 days, when I do manage to keep food down, my stomach is so sensitive that I cannot keep it in me for long.

Yesterday morning I panicked after waking up and finding the numbness and tingling worse. My mouth/tongue was dry and I could not eat and experienced trouble swallowing. My heart felt like it was jumping in my chest and I proceeded to drive myself to the ER in a panic. They checked my vitals, checked my urine and everything was ok. I was given steroids, an antacid and an RX for Benadryl, Prednisone, and Pepcid. Today, as mentioned above, my heart is still beating fast, I have muscle weakness and a tightness and feeling of pressure all over my head and neck. I contacted Allergan (the makers of Botox) and filled out an Adverse event report with the FDA.

This has been one of the worst experiences of my life. I feel like such an idiot for allowing myself to get a toxin put in my body! What was I thinking? Lesson learned, and I will never do this again. I just wish I could get the toxin removed from my body, or better yet go back in time and never get suckered in to getting injected in the first place! I much rather prefer my wrinkles/lines over all these horrible side effects that I now have. I really felt doomed, and sometimes still do. What if my symptoms continue to get worse? I feel like a bad mom for being so shallow and putting myself through this and potentially doing some serious damage to myself with two small children at home. I really just assumed that this was a quick and easy procedure with "little down time". I have no known allergies. Botox is presented as safe; millions of women get it done every year, and I was one of the few individuals who unfortunately developed a very bad reaction to it.

I only wish I had done more research beforehand, and not trusted someone who is out to make money and who could not care less about me or my health. I am assuming that the lady who administered the Botox either gave me too much (48 units) or injected it incorrectly? Is it true that Botox does not come "ready to use out of the box" so to speak, and has to be combined with a solution by the injector? Maybe this is the problem? All I know, is that when the Spa opens back up in a day, they will be hearing from me and I WILL receive my $480 dollars refunded back to me, one way or the other.

Please trust your instincts and remember that Botox is made out of a serious toxin, botulism. It is not worth it. I feel like my own vanity got the best of me, and I certainly found out the hard way to just be happy with the way I am!!! Not to mention, I am very embarrassed by this whole disaster as well having my whole family know about! My mom even flew in lastnight to help me out with my kids!

If you have had a similar experience, please let me know so I do not feel so alone!!! This site has already helped me a lot. Or, if you can answer any of the questions I asked above, please let me know. I just pray that things do not get worse for me, I am hoping since it is now day 5, the Botox wont spread too much more and I wont continue to get worse. Thanks.

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Comments (48)

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marissa7186 26 Mar 2013

Yes, I just had my first botox shots one week ago. I felt fine. Painless. I looked great, but then the pain began. My head, neck, jaw, even down my back feels so tight. I can't explain this feeling really. It is not a headache per se, but an overall extreme tightness that eats away at you. I feel as though I can't breathe. My throat feels so tight & constricted. I can eat & swallow, yes, but it feels SO WRONG and it is incredibly scary! I called my Dr. told him 2 X about how my "headache" has NOT gone away -- it has been over a week now --- it is worse and how I feel awful. He's like "oh honey stop over-thinking it, it is not botox. Botox cures headaches. You might have a sinus infection. Or could even be meningitis. Go see your doctor" I do not have meningitis. I do not have a sinus infection. I know what sinus pressure/infection is. This is NOT that. It is absolutely a result of the botox. These assholes don't wanna be liable, especially considering I have a law degree they won't admit shit! These bastards that make this product & inject us -- how dare they. It should be banned. I wish I could go back in time like all of you and NOT do this. I am only 26 years old. I am pretty. I was afraid of getting wrinkles on my forehead and got 20 units just in my forehead---and voila now I am some basket case according to the Drs, thats lost her mind. I am a highly functioning, highly intelligent LAW grad. I have not lost my mind. Be careful what you wish for... I hope you all feel better. I just want this to END!

lev170 3 Mar 2013

To Botox nightmare It sounds like you went to the same spa that did. Same amount of money was charged to me. It has been 10 days since I was injected with Botox. All the way around the tops and down the sides of my brows. A few days later notice intermittent hearing loss then after 5 days lost my hearing in the left ear. Now this strange feeling is going down the side of my neck. I have some of the same symptoms you described. I only went in for a consult and had no intention of having any work done at that time. I felt I was railroaded into this. I see your post was 2 yrs ago and would like to know how you are doing now. Thanks

ShannonKY2013 27 Feb 2013

I know exactly how you feel I have severe migraines so My neurologist recommended Botox injections. 31 injections later I am miserable severe muscle pain, muscle spasms so bad I cant use my right arm, a severe rash all over my body, swelling in my neck, throat and shoulders. I just want it to stop it has already been a month and my doctor says it could take another month before I feel better. I have three teenage boys, a husband, and our dog. But life as stopped for me I cant do anything its to miserable to work through this I am taking 80mg of Benadryl every 4 to 6 hours and 8mg of muscle relaxant three times a day all I can do is sleep. I am so glad my family loves me I just cant imagine going through this for much longer. I will never have these injections and anyone should be hesitant because it is a toxin......

angieuk 14 Jan 2013

I am in England and I am on week 5. I had 14 units 3 injections between my eyes by a self employed nurse. I was quite anxious before hand about having it and i did stop her after 3 between my eyes as my gut instinct was saying no more, i am so glad i did not have the rest on my forehead and sides of my eyes (30 units more).After I had it the injection sites hurt and were red and i could feel the botox spreading and i knew that day i regretted having it done. The following day I was so ill i had flu symptoms a throat infection where i could not swallow , i spent a week in bed i felt so tired all the time.I also had stomach problems i wasn't sick but it came the other way. All my local doctor kept saying is she didnt know much about it that i should go back to the nurse (which i did but what could she do?? she just gave me my cheque back!). I ended up in accident and emergency Christmas eve much to the dismay of my children (i am in my 30s).I still had a headache after 2 and half weeks, it felt like i was having a head rush sometimes,pins and needles in my head and down to the bridge of my nose like a fizzy feeling (thats the nervous being severed apparently by botox travelling down), it felt like my forehead had been hit with a bat, the nurse said botox travels about an inch from site of injection..well mine travelled at least 2 inches. The poisons unit were contacted by the doctor treating me in A&E and the professor stated that all my symptoms were all stated in Allergan's list and he tried to assure the doctor that although it peaks at 3 weeks gradually the symptoms will fade away. So week 5 i am still getting minor headaches but not half as bad as before, my nose and up between my eyes still feels fizzy and numb like iv been punched between the eyes, i still sometimes feel like my head is in a clamp with pressure but not half as bad as before, my sleep was very deep when i first had the botox, i was so tired i just wanted to sleep the experience away but now in the last week i am not going to sleep as well and i am waking up early..i wonder if this means botox is starting to wear off? The main thing that worries me now is that i cannot see the tv when i watch it still ,i went for eye test last week after A&E told me my sight wasnt too good and worse in my left eye. The eye test has come back that i am short sighted and needs glasses asap ,again worse in my left eye. Is this down to botox? i dont know but i did not notice a sight problem before. I really hope that i feel normal soon and my own anxiety about all this goes because i will NEVER have botox again, it just is not worth putting your precious body at risk for.

No More Botox 10 Dec 2012

I contacted a lawyer last year, and they determined that I didn't have a case since none of my issues related to the Botox were visible. I still suffer from horrible anxiety, vision issue and was diagnosed with PTSD by my Psychologist because of my experience with the Botox (which I don't take lightly considering I am married to someone who is in the Army and have a family full of military members, some of which suffer from combat PTSD). I feel kind of defeated by the whole thing. I wasn't looking for a huge payout, I just wanted some sort of justice to be had. I wanted validation that what I went through was directly due to the Botox. It's now been over 2 1/2 years for me.

Lime_girl55555 5 Dec 2012

I had several botox injections two weeks ago and I can't believe how horrible the side effects are. I was so healthy and happy before the botox. Now I have a permanent mild pain across my forehead. I have black circles under my eyes and hollows under my eyes which I have never had before. I am never depressed and a chemical depression came and sat on me like a black dog. I have anxiety and can't sleep. The muscles in my neck are so tense I can't believe it. I know I have several months of this suffering to go and I am so angry. How dare these people inject poison into you and tell you it will all be good. DON'T ANYONE EVER TRY BOTOX IT IS HORRIBLE!!!!!!!

frenchgirl 6 Dec 2012

It is going on two months now since my injections. My eye is about 75% open, but face looks different. I too, now have circles under my eyes. The horrible thing is that I have all these side effects AND the forehead lines are returning. I agree with you "Lime_girl". If I could be an advocate for a "No More Botox" campaign!!

Lime_girl55555 8 Dec 2012

Hi frenchgirl. Yeah we get sucked in. I still have a bit of a headache but I am feeling better. I hope the worst symptoms don't come back. Two months wow that's a long time. I know I have permanent nerve damage from other procedures. There are very few really compentent surgeons around. You just think 'oh I'll try this, make myself feel/look better. Really the benefits are negligible and the other things that can happen ....well. I just want to feel happen, clean faced and fit if you know what I mean. Hope you feel better soon. It really knocked me over in the beginning. I'm wondering how much he gave me. There were quite a few needle pricks.

frenchgirl 8 Dec 2012

I am sure that my problems occured because of only two pricks right between the eyes, and too low, so it affected my eyes. It is a slow recovery process. I also contacted Allergan, the company that makes Botox. They have followed my progress. They called again two days ago to find out how I was doing. I am going to write to this doctor today and ask for a refund. They actually offered me my next treatment for free. I will never take a Botox treatment again. I have used a week of vacation time, several costly prescriptions, and suffered with migraines, dry eye, etc.

frenchgirl 7 Nov 2012

It is three weeks ago for me since only 15 units were injected into my forehead for frown line. My left eye is almost shut, right eye socket feels like it is pulling, and my forehead feels like someone whacked me with a board. I cannot believe that such a small amount has done this to me. I have taken this week off work in hopes that it will improve. It feels worse. I am going to cry, what a fool I was to do this. I have to put my life on hold, lose sick days, cancel social engagements. (And, yes, I have the eye drops, but they don't do anything.)

Sachamama 6 May 2012

There are zero deaths attributed with Botox cosmetic.
Out of hundreds of thousands of applications for the treatment of spasticity in children with cerebral palsy, there have been a recorded 207 adverse events, out of those, there were seven deaths, however none of those deaths were associated or linked with Botulism Toxicity. The children, such as my own child, receives thousands of units to treat spasticity.
A far cry from the 10-20 units you're receiving for cosmetic use.
The explanation of infection in your lungs and sinuses would be related to bacterial infection or from a vital infection, not from a toxin exposure. If you had a botulism toxicity that affected your respiratory system, you'd have been treated with mechanical ventilation for paralysis, not antibiotics.

No More Botox 27 Jun 2012

Maybe this is why non of the almost dozen different antibiotics I took helped with the infections!
I received 48 units, not 10-20. I pray nothing bad happens to you or your child when you receive Botox, but if it were to, I am sure you would be singing a different tune. You sound like the doctors who are paid to administer the Botox and defend it to no avail. Until you have a bad reaction that occurs IMMEDIATELY after receiving Botox, you have no business saying it is not caused by the Botox, when clearly it is. Maybe you are just trying to make yourself feel better and reassure yourself concerning your own injection of the toxin.

Lime_girl55555 5 Dec 2012

Sachamama: Great that it works for your child but how dare you invalidate the experience of many, many people.

Lime_girl55555 5 Dec 2012

No More Botox: Totally 100% agree with you.

Megan P (Community Manager) 6 Dec 2012

Since we are here to discuss the pros and cons of different treatments, lets try to keep the conversation focused on Botox and not get derailed into aiming remarks at others. Different experiences are encouraged to be shared, as we need to hear about the good and bad, not just one or the other.

sickofit 8 Mar 2013

If you knew the sides effects that can occur with this stuff you would never ever want your child to have a chance of suffering like this!

Sachamama 30 Dec 2011

The red "lumps" is just the collection of the product under your skin. It takes 1-3 hours for it to be absorbed. This is typical.
The itching is generally from the carrier and skin stretching/injury from the needle (think mosquito bite)

Everything else, aside from the ptosis (droop) sounds psychosomatic or vasovagal - not an adverse medical reaction.

The amount of botulism in a botox injection for a forehead smoothing (30-50units) is nominal and has never caused any permanent or significant injury. People have hundreds of units injected for treatment of neurological issues like dystonia or myclonus - my son who has cerebral palsy receives botox to treat muscle spasm in his neck and back.

I have had 30-50 units injected into my forehead and around my eyes, every four months for the past 8 years and have never ever had a reaction aside from the injection bumps, as described. However, I do have vasovagal reaction from having other injections (into my arm) which sound similar (sweating, heart racing, nausea feeling faint) and it all has to do with what my brain is doing, not what is actually occurring.

No More Botox 6 May 2012

the redness and lumps did not last 1-3 hours, it lasted much longer. I can guarantee you that there are Botox sufferers who have permanent damage from Botox. Botox can travel to places where it is not meant to, for me I believe it went into my chest, hence the horrific upper respiratory infection I had for months and inturn, the sinus infection which lasted over 9 months. If I had never gotten the Botox injections, I can promise you, I would not have gotten those infections.
To basically say it's all in my head is insulting. I am worried for you and for your child, because you can get Botox numerous times without incident and then, for whatever reason, develop an intolerance to it and have a horrible reaction.
If it is psychosomatic, then why has that happened to many Botox sufferers (Botox users for years, and then become suddenly super ill after a routine injection)?

No More Botox 6 May 2012

OH, and how do you explain the children and adults who have died as a result of receiving botox??

Nelle 6 May 2012

Botox has adverse side effects. A LOT more then what Allergan warns about. It is not safe! It has caused permanent damage to me. I've been suffering for over 3 years.

bobbi5800 27 May 2011

Hi No More Botox...I am sorry I did not see your reply sooner. The comment notification went to spam. Yes I experience terrible anxiety now because of the rapid heartbeat I still have. I cannot work, I cannot do much of anything. The rapid heartbeat gives me headaches and high blood pressure. Blood pressure medications knock me on my butt, cannot take them. I should not have to at my age and as healthy as I was. I still have trouble swallowing, I am choking all the time. I have put on weight because I have to eat mushy, fatty foods instead of healthy vegetables. At this time I do not feel like my issues are going to resolve. I am unable to go forth with so many plans I had. I feel very alone...How are you doing?

linda1234 7 Jul 2011

Ooh my goodness Bobbi, your ordeal sounds terrible, I have been posting on a different link on here under the heading " did you have flu like symptoms after botox" if you go on there and read the stories you can maybe find some support and help, if you look at my posts you'll see very similar symptoms, it will also take you to another thread.
Take care
Linda.

bobbi5800 21 Feb 2011

I needed to hop in this conversation. I had Botox done but for headache and neck tension. They put in 300 units. Shortly after the procedure I got violently ill for well over a month (maybe 2-3). Very fast pounding heart (still have it), Sore throat, labored breathing, crippling back pain, lung weakness (still have it). It felt like the muscles in my lungs did not want to work. I did not sleep right for months because I was afraid I would stop breathing in my sleep. I went to the ER because I heard of an anti-toxin to Botox and I wanted them to give it to me to prevent further damage. They refused, told me to wait it out. I just got sicker and sicker. 10 mg of Percocet was not easing the horible back pain I had. I know the Botox spread throughout my body and caused this. To this day (1.5 years later) I still have the racing heart. The racing heart has disabled me. I now always have a resting heart rate of 100-105... always. It use to be around 65. I know it is because of the Botox because I have never had this problem before. The doctor I have been seing is convinced it is all in my head and I should be able to control the heart rate if I concentrate...WTF? Also to this day I will have flare ups off and on, at least one to two times a month, of the symptoms of the side effects of the Botox (severe flu-like symptoms) these are disabling as well. I cannot work, run, do semi-strenuous activities. I feel I should be able to sue somebody because my life is changed forever because of these disabling symptoms that did not arise until after the 300 units. The Botox company should pay for the quality of life I lost. I was successful, now I cannot do virtually anything. The racing heart and feeling of my lungs being VERY weak keeps me from doing so much. I had 100 units in the past that seemed to work out okay, but that 300 was waaay too much. Is anyone who had a bad experience willing to consider going after a class action lawsuit against Botox? They need to be held accountable. I am so angry because of this. My kids cannot stand me anymore because our life now revolves around my heart. If I have a crisis where my pulse goes to 150+ then the day is shot because we are going no where. I cannot finish school, get a job etc....I am so depressed now.

No More Botox 21 Feb 2011

bobbi5800, I am sorry to hear your story. You are not alone!
I've been through hell since last May. I can't imagine having 300 units injected in me. I know some people's bodies can tolerate it, but others cannot-or, I believe the Botox often travels to areas of the body not intended to do and it shouldn't go, and causes havoc on our bodies.
My quality of life has also been diminished. Like you, I had the pounding, heart palpitations. It was terrifying-I can't put into words the constant fear I felt. Like you, I would go to sleep at night scared to no end, that I would not wake up in the morning and would leave my children without a mother. I had no idea if I was going to get worse. I thought my heart would surely fail from all the stress or my throat was going to close up on me (I was having difficulties swallowing).
I would love to sue if I could. I can't get the last 9 months of my life back, but some compensation would help. I've been through hell since May. I reported my side effects to the FDA and Allergan, but I don't think they care!
I never experienced an "allergy" to anything prior to the Botox-but since I had it injected, I've been diagnosed with possible asthma and now acid reflux. I don't think either are true, but I've been dealing with a horrific sinus infection and upper respiratory infection since summer. I believe the Botox traveled into my sinuses, since I experienced sinus issues right after the Botox. I've never been so sick with one thing or the other, in all of my 28 years.
Have you experienced anxiety? The anxiety and sense of doom was really bad for me, especially in the beginning (first month after injection).
As I posted in my original comment-Botox for me was a nightmare. A very lonely nightmare. Know that you are not alone-and you made it over a year. I am sorry you are still having the racing heart, especially after a year.
I pray that I will feel back to normal at my one year mark. Sometimes I feel like I will never be healthy again.
Good luck to you!!!

Severe vertigo 4 Aug 2011

I am ready for class action! Am at 2 mos cardiology, er, 2 Ent 's- can barely walk due to vertigo and body feels like a ton of bricks! This is not functioning and all doctors deny it's Botox or don't have enough education on how to help us. It's time to hold allergen responsible