Posted by: Samietooo ®
07/19/2004, 12:56:31
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When I first started with botox and I would drink something, if I wasn't careful I'd also choke. That was told to me by the doctor at the beginning..'be careful about swallowing, especially liquids.' After many, many injections, that has definitely gotten better..much better! I do find though if I choke now, which anyone even without botox can do, I have to gasp for air, so I DEFINITELY DO KNOW how scary that is!! And while I've gasped, I had a hard time breathing too.Best thing to do is be aware of your swallowing, especially liquids, and it should get better in time. I'm not sure why, but it has for me. If I weigh the pros and cons of botox (choking, etc.) I definitely choose botox (as long as it works, which is another story. ). Can't imagine a doctor thinking you were deaf! How ridiculous! Maybe you should give the doctor some literature on dystonia so he won't make the same DUMB mistake again. Amazing how doctors STILL don't know about dystonia! Guess they can't know everything, but..... In the past I've had people talk to me in a way that they thought I was deaf..like I had to read their lips. So annoying!! Feeling quite disgusted myself, so hang in there. You're definitely NOT alone!! Good luck and be careful!
Sincerely, Carol
Modified by Samietooo at Mon, Jul 19, 2004, 13:48:44
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Posted by: geneo22 ®
08/10/2004, 17:41:11
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Hi,
I have been getting botox shots since 1995 in my neck at RUSH in Chicago. No choking.
I started getting the shots in my hometown the past 9 months and now am having the choking problem. Dr. says it is Type A he is using just like in Chicago. He says the shots won't cause the choking.
I had choking for almost the 3 months after the shots last time and it went away nere the end of the 3 months. I got shots last weds. 8-4-04 and it is now 8-10-04 and the choking is back.
Before I realized it is the botox a friend told me when the choking is there to drink HOT water coffee or something HOT.
It does work---it does not take it away but it relieves it at the time I am eating.
Hope this helps someone.
Gene
gene.nichols@ameritech.net
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Posted by: teach1 ®
07/19/2004, 13:01:19
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Hi Snowie,
wow, sounds like you had a pretty scary experience. I remember choking on something once, and when you can't breathe of course your heart starts pounding harder, and that just makes it worse especially if you're alone. Glad you're ok. Why on earth would a Dr think you have a hearing problem? i just don't understand the connection.. i haven't tried botox, and don't think i will. As i mentioned earlier, i get it already for my eye spasms (20 needles all around my eyes and on lids, gross.) My spurts of 'speechlessness' come and go, sometimes i get on a roll and can talk for a few minutes, sometimes i can barely bark out 5 words.. there seems to be no real reason for the difference,other than stress definately makes it worse. Especially when i know someone isn't really listening, or doesn't seem to care what i'm saying, then my voice gets really bad, and i have to just stop, which is probably what they wanted me to do in the first place LOL..
You don't sound miserable, and if you do, you have a right to, it's very frustrating having such side effects from the botox, it must make you wonder if it's worth it..glad your neck is feeling better, i use heating pads and a TENS machine on mine, helps a lot. Take care..teach1/Patty
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Posted by: pat rambo ®
07/19/2004, 13:28:10
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Hi Snowie,
I'm so sorry about that frightening experience.
I found that,when I had problems with thin liquids,If you turn your head to one side,it closes your vocal cords and the fluid goes down the esophagus and not the trachea.
i.e-it goes down the correct tube.
So try turning your head to the left or the right while swallowing.It should help.
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Posted by: bill ®
07/19/2004, 15:30:21
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because I know exactly what you mean. This is such aggravation. Some days I just flat out don't want to talk. My family sometimes gets frustrated with me because I can get moody or quiet and give one word answers but they don't seem to understand what I'm going through. Talking can be a reall hassle and then I get that tightness in my chest and I just want to put my fist through the wall. God help us.
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Posted by: chillykat ®
07/19/2004, 21:01:43
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I'm sorry you had a bad day and a bad scare. I think the solution to the choking would be to eat only ICE CREAM. Just trying to cheer you up...hope that made you smile.
Kat
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Posted by: Janet Joiner ®
07/20/2004, 01:54:57
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Hi Snowie,I don't know if you recall me or not, I'm Janet Joiner from Alabama. I you to go by Angelica1006, but am now going my JJoiner61@aol.com. I had Dr. Berke's and Blumin "SLAD" Surgery in June of 2001. After recovering 3 months and 2 weeks I began getting a low normal voice back and it got better and stronger over time. June of this year (2003) was my 3 year anniversary post-op from the SLAD Surgery. I am doing great with my voice. I am still talking with a very good normal voice, however, I do get fatigued in my throat, sore throat and I sometimes have difficult times of swallowing liquids or foods. I've learned that drinking from a straw helps me by controling the amount of liquid I get in my throat. Seems I am more able to control how much goes down at one time. Plus, I too have to tilt my head down with my chin down to chest a little and that also helps me control my swallowing liquids especially. And if you do food this way try slowly chewing all your food up first and then tilt down and swallow a little bit at a time as you slowly raise your chin. Be sure to drink and eat slowly at least until you learn several new technics. Also there is a product out there at most pharmacy's you can get or they can order for you. It is called "Thick-It", it is a power like stuff you mix with your liquid drinks and it thickens them up so it makes it easier for you to swallow without getting choked or strangled. But again I highly reccommend the straw and use your tongue to control how large of a drink you swallow or sometimes you can swallow some and hold the rest in your mouth until you get some practice of how to do this, it takes practice cause each person is different and there are different strokes for different people. I know that must have been so terribally scary for you being by yourself. Regards, Hope this info helps and good luck! Jan Joiner (SLAD Surgery 6/01 - Alabama)
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Posted by: Snowie ®
07/20/2004, 03:48:47
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Thank you all for your kind and thoughtful responses - I have taken a few days of work, have a bad chest, prob as a result of asthma, (have had building work going on and the dust has prob got to me) and being compounded by the breathng probs with the btox injection. just need to re-coup and re-charge. hopefully will feel betetr in a couple of days. And hey Bill, I understand how you feel ..... we just need to
take things one day at a time don't we ..... and hold on to the good things, Thank you to you All, I was touched by your responses,
With regards, Snowie,
Ab/Sd London, UK
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