Initially Good Experiences, then Ptosis Last Year, This Year BAD Dry Eyes

The amount I listed refers to the most treatment I got in March of 2010. The first time I had Botox injected I had just turned 40. I was really happy with the results, and went to the same injector for the next several years. Then, in July of 2009, I noticed a slight ptotic droop in the right eyebrow/eyelid. I went back and asked about it, but the practitioner (a renown dermatologist)did not acknowledge it in any way whatsoever.

I had no idea it was called a "ptotic droop" until I had done extensive internet research. I did not feel like going back to this doctor after I realized that he had not been completely honest with me. I began to search for a new dermatologist. In December of 2009 I had the same procedure done in the right eye, and, again, the droop (which had started to go away) came back again. I decided that maybe it was a problem unique to me, that this was simply how my right eye area had begun to react to botox.

I decided to see yet another Botox provider, hoping for better success. This time I did not have the same area treated in that eye. This time it was March of 2010. My left eye needed treatment, as it had not been treated since July of 2009 (I'd only had my right eye touched up in December in an attempt to lift up the ptotic brow. Note that the ptosis had only shown itself after the July treatment). There was no improvement in the right eye; the left eye responded well, however. I came back to the same provider in the middle of March, to see if more injections in the frown lines between the brows and in the lateral part of the brow would provide a better lift. She did try that, then also injected a bit more into the frown line area of the left brow. It was at this point that the real nightmare began.

A day after the procedure I developed extremely dry eyes. I don't know if it was due to her injection technique, or if I accidentally rubbed in between my eyes and the toxin migrated to the lachrymal ducts--but since this had NEVER happened to me before, and it was so dramatic, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was due to the botox. It is now September of 2010, and my life has been centered around my dry eye regime; constantly applying artificial tears, tear-gel, etc. Hot compresses, antibacterial cream to prevent/treat the side effects of dry eyes such as blepharitis. In my case it is the the type where you get little fluid-filled sties inside your eyelid. If I have any sinus problems my eyes are affected tenfold. In the past it has normally taken 7 months for the effects of botox to fully dissipate; I am into month 6 right now, but there isn't much of a change. I read somewhere on here that it could take up to 9 months. I read elsewhere that for some people it was 18 months. It has been expensive because of the eyedrops, and, as well, my life has been very limited, of course. It is almost like I have an intravenous relationship with the eye-drop bottle!!!!

My boyfriend has been wonderful about it--he doesn't know WHY my eyes are dry, though. He accepted my blepheritis excuse, which is only a half-truth. I feel embarrassed to tell him about the botox, because I am very private about any procedures I have done. I am not anti-cosmetic procedure; I am all for something that makes you feel good about yourself. I have a healthy respect for botox now, however.

Several weeks ago I had botox injected into my upper neck muscles on a whim when I was getting juviderm injections (I have now settled with a dermatologist whom I trust). Even though I trust this doctor, I had immediate fears after the procedure and was crossing my fingers nothing bad would happen. I've seen it said that getting botox is a bit of a crap-shot; it either turns out wonderful or horrible.

I think that in the future I will try other procedures rather than botox---I'd even get a brow-lift/eyelid/neck lift instead of having botox injections again