Re: injection sites
Hi Tricia. You are expecting too much too soon. :-) Take that in the spirit in which it is intended, please. Sometimes, I think that the needle pricks themselves alter things a bit and some people do show improvement within 24 hours. Or you may just be having a good day. Some people do notice improvement right away but others don't for several days to a week. You will not have the full effect of the botox until about 2 weeks from now. At about 2 weeks, the effects of the botox will be maxed out and then things should just stabilize for a couple of months. This time varies from person to person. Any doctor that treats Blepharospasm with botox should be able to inject your upper lids. The doctors techniques and sites that they use all differ a little, though. A lot of people with Blepharospasm get injections in their upper lids. Before my upper Myectomy, I received botox in the inner and outer corners of my upper lids (both pointed away from the center of the upper lid to avoid the Levator muscle which allows you to open you eyes and prevents a ptosis). I also got them above my brows in a couple of places and the cheek and temple area. Give it some time. You should continue to see improvement. Like I said, you usually don't get the full effect of your botox until about 2 weeks after. So gradual improvement and hopefully no side-effects like a ptosis and then a period of weeks to months of improvement of symptoms. Hang in there and keep us posted. Remember to use an ointment at night and preservative-free drops through the day to prevent dry eye problems. It takes time to get the sites and dosages right, so try to be patient and don't expect total relief of your symptoms. Some people get more relief than others. Shirley in Arkansas with BEB/Apraxia
Re: injection sites
Hi Tricia. I'm glad you are noticing some improvement already. I have to ditto Shirley on everything. I have always received botox on inner and outer corners of lids, side of nose, brow, temple and upper cheek (I have had beb for 6 years). While I notice a slight improvement the next day it usually takes a good week or two to gain full effect. Mine only lasts around 5 weeks and then I begin that downward slide once again. I just had my injections yesterday - I was unable to drive myself so my husband took me while a neighbor watched my kids (6 and 3). I hope you continue to see improvement-keep us posted.Kelly in Dallas
Re: injection sites/Kelly
Hi Kelly, how are those beautiful girls of yours - I enjoy hearing about them? You mentioned in your post getting injections on the inner corners of the lids - do you get sinus? In a recent post of mine I mentioned an opthalm. at a support group meeting suggesting I got sinus after injections, perhaps because of the inner, corner, lower eyelid (near nose) injection - I know I get lots of unsatisfactory tears and thats part of the problem there as well. Enjoy your daughters they grow up so....quickly. June in Toronto (beb/meige) where the temperature has dropped from 14 to 6 today - winter is on its way!
Re: injection sites/Kelly
Hi June, Thanks for asking about the girls-it's my favorite subject. They are great. My 6 year old is in full swing in first grade and loving it. We just finished soccer season and she is involved in karate as well. My 3 year old started preschool and informed me her second day that I could just drop her off in the parking lot. She knew where her class was and she wouldn't get lost like all those other little kids! I do not get sinusitis from the injections in the inner corners of the lids. I have horrible allergies and am pretty miserable this fall but I am not having any sinus pain or congestion. I do not have a problem with tears and very rarely even have dry eyes. I only use drops first thing in the morning and that is it so maybe the unsatisfactory tears are a contributing factor. A couple of years ago I was at the doctor several times in a 6 month period with what we thought was a sinus infection. I wasn't congested but I had horrible pressure and a sinus headache so bad I could hardly move. After numerous antibiotics and a sinus x-ray we found my sinuses clear of all infection and normal. It turned out that it was due to my meige. I clench my jaw at night and wear a nightguard. My adjustment was off and the pressure on my jaw was causing a problem with my neck and in turn was causing the horrible pressure and pain. We just rebuilt my appliance and I see a muscular therapist every 4-6 weeks and I feel sooo much better. Kelly in Dallas where it will be in the upper 60s today but will back into the 70s by tomorrow. No wonder I can't quit sneezing!
Re: injection sites/Kelly
Thanks Kelly - I remember watching a friend's daughter year's ago play soccer - she was about 6 then also. They had such a lot of fun, a good all-round sport for any youngster (but maybe I'm biased as I grew up in the U.K. where soccer (also Rugby and Cricket) are national sports). Maybe I should also check into my meige as my sinus checkups don't show infections either (I feel its pressure from the botox injections). I don't think I clench my jaw, but I seem to be biting my right cheek (on the inside) and have an ulcer there. More investigating to do! June in Toronto (beb/meige) who is going to The Royal Winter Fair with 11-year-old grandaughter after school today (I'll be tired tomorrow!).
Re: injection sites
Be patient. It takes a week to 10 days for the botox to really hit its best. Glad you finally got diagnosed. Welcome to the BB. It's a great support group.
Joann in Ark. where it's still very nice. Leaves are falling fast, so time to rake, etc. My back doesn't take much of that kind of work however.
Re: injection sites
Hi Tricia, You've received good responses to your question especially
having to wait week or two for full results. For over a year I had
my injections by a neurologist in the areas you mentioned around the
eye but never the eyelid. The effects of the botox were helpful but
the flickering in my eyelid never really stopped. I got a second opinion about 3 months ago and found a neurologist who does inject in
the eyelids. The results are better as far as the ceasing of the flickering. The trade off for me was that my eyes don't close completely so I have to put ointment in them at night and tape them shut. The new neurologist gave me a consult a month after the injections and said he would give me a bit less in the eyelid next time
around to see if that would still work but have my eyes a bit more relaxed. It's all a trade-off. Give these injections some time to
determine the full benefit--then you can plan next strategy.
Joanne M. San Diego, CA
Re: injection sites
Hi TriciaI completely agree with everyone else. It takes awhile, about 2 weeks to feel the effects and maybe even sooner in some people. I know with me when I first started with botox, it took some time before my doctor could find the right dosage for me. I also ended up having the myectomy surgery, but still need the botox.
Re: injection sites
Woke up today and was so happy to read all your advice. I feel far more positive about the botox treatment now, which I know will really help. Whenever I am down or stressed about my eyes they always get worse and even though I know this and try to relax I find it so difficult. Thanks for the smile you all gave me this morning.
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