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Problems with swalllowing and breathing after botox injection
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Posted by: Snowie ®
07/01/2004, 01:29:39
Hi there,

I recently had another botox injection, (4th or 5th). Just before this last one I found that I had, had constant difficulties with swallowing food during the duration of the last botox injection, and some difficulties breathing.

I explained this to the doc. before my last injection, (although don't think i explained clearly enough that the swallowing problems lasted for the whole 3 months). Anyhow he gave me another injection and asked me to come back in a month (now 2 weeks for the other side to be injected as I have Ab/SD).

For the first 2 weeks, I found it even more difficult to swalllow foods again, and again had some difficulty with my breathing, and in turn have become very very tired. Although people are saying that my voice has improved which is an immense relief!.

Can any one tell me if difculties with swallowing and breathing are common after botox ? ..... and what causes it ? .... I do get asthma so this probably compounds the breathng difficulties.

Many thanks, Snowie




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Re: Problems with swalllowing and breathing after botox injection
Re: Problems with swalllowing and breathing after botox injection -- Snowie Top of thread Archive
Posted by: Bill Vanderlinde ®
07/01/2004, 12:06:00
Hi Snowie,
The human body uses the AB muscles to open the airway for breathing, so when the AB muscles are injected with BOTOX it weakens them and can restrict the airway. If you have asthma, that could certainly make the problem worse. The only solution I know of would be to reduce the BOTOX dosage. But you might not see as much voice benefit with a lower dosage.
Regarding the swallowing problem, is the problem that it is hard to get the food down from the back of your throat, or is there a problem with choking on food and trouble with clearing your throat?
I and several other AB folks have sometimes had choking and throat clearing problems after AB injections. My doctor says that can happen if the BOTOX spreads into the cricopharyngeus muscle, which is a muscle that helps move the epliglottis. The epiglottis is a sort of valve in your windpipe that keeps food going one direction and air going the other. If the cricopharyngeus is weakened, that can cause problems with food "going the wrong way."
I'm told that BOTOX spread to the cricopharyngeus is more likely if the injection is too far inferior, i.e. too far down your neck. You might do better if the doctor goes a bit more superior with the injections.

Bill Vanderlinde
AB/SD

P.S. Free medical advice is worth what you pay for it. You should really talk this over with your doctor who is the expert.




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Re: Problems with swalllowing and breathing after botox injection
Re: Re: Problems with swalllowing and breathing after botox injection -- Bill Vanderlinde Top of thread Archive
Posted by: Snowie ®
07/01/2004, 12:50:37
I don't know about that Bill, you're advice was pretty good to me, it has helped me too understand better what is going on with the Ab muscles and why I am experienicing the problems I am. I would say that was pretty valuable 'free' advice ! .... Thank you ..... Re: the swallowing difficulties, the problem seems to be getting the food down my throat, it is a real effort to swallow. (Although this seems to be easing now)

....I did tell my doc. about the breathing and swallowing dificulties, at my last consultation, but with 30 patients to see, and about 3 mins before consultation, he doesn't seem to have the time to really explain what's going on. Although I think maybe he may have altered the botox dose and is giving me the 2nd injection a month aftr the first, rather than 2 weeks apart which is what he normally does, so I think he took on board what I said. (I will find out if he did indeed alter the dose). And I'll talk to him again when I go for my next injection in 2 weeks time.

Thanks once again, your response was much appreciated,
With regards , Snowie, AB/SD London, UK



Modified by Snowie at Fri, Jul 02, 2004, 14:53:35

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Re: Problems with swalllowing and breathing after botox injection
Re: Re: Problems with swalllowing and breathing after botox injection -- Bill Vanderlinde Top of thread Archive
Posted by: sbayle ®
07/01/2004, 19:02:29
Bill- Your free medical advice always interests me as I also have ABSD and you seem to have figured out how to get your doctor to have a discussion with you. I have found it quite difficult to consult with my otolarygologist because he holds Botox clinics once or twice per month and I get a 10 minute appointment. He does not seem to make the time to answer questions. How do you get your questions answered?

Does it often require an additional appointment for a consultation? I frequently try to get a discussion going about the dosage and adjusting it and I get mumbling and a loud, "yah, okay- see you next time."

Making an additional trip is a burden to my schedule but I sure could use the consultation time. How do you get discussion going with your MD?
Sarah Bayle



Modified by sbayle at Thu, Jul 01, 2004, 19:06:39

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