Hi Sheila May, I'm glad you got such a warm welcome - it makes all the difference.
One of the things I forgot to do before my last round of botox injections was to build up the zinc levels in mybody. The one and only BEBRF conference I attended back in 1995 or 96, one of the doctors there said to take more zinc before (2-3 weeks before) and after the injections as it definitely helped to process the botox better. As there are over 300 enzyme systems in the body that require zinc, it might be a valid point. I think we need 15-60 mg of zinc daily to improve the immune system's antibacterial ability, for instance. This time I forgot and the botox hasn't taken as well - I don't know if its the lack of zinc or not. I already have a reminder in place to take the zinc next time around! Take careJune in Toronto (beb/meige)
Tim, I looked over my not-very good notes from that way-back-when BEBRF conference (I'd only been diagnosed with beb for a short while and everything was so new to me) and didn't come up with the Doctor's name or the amount of zinc. But the recommended daily zinc amount is 30-60 mg - so I calculate what zinc is in my multi vitamins and anti-oxidants and take the extra amount up to 60 mg. I usually do this faithfully before and after my botox injections - but this time around I totally forgot. The botox hasn't worked as well this time - whether its due to the zinc or not I don't know for sure. I found what the doctor said at the conference (even though it was my first one for beb) to be so alternative-medicine, that my ears really perked up.I don't know of (never investigated) any documented information on this nor do I know what form of zinc you should take - perhaps I'll try and do some research on it, some day, some time - when I feel better. Hope this helps, Tim. Best wishes
June in Toronto(beb/meige) where it is snowing today - March going out like a lion!
Hi Sheila.
If you get along fine most of the time, I don't feel that you need to have any surgery done. You might consider talking to your doctor about getting your BOTOX more often than every 3 months. Some doctors will give it as often as every 6 to 8 weeks. It is better to space them out as far apart as you can but if you are miserable that last couple of weeks, I'd certainly talk to your doctor about getting them a little more often. Everybody is a little different in how long the BOTOX is actually effective. Your injections, one to two weeks earlier, might be all that you need to keep you going along just fine for years to come.Let us keep hearing from you and ask whatever you like.
Shirley in Arkansas