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Botox no longer working?
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Posted by: summer ® 10/18/2004, 16:33:28

Hi Everyone, This is my first time posting. I've been having some problems with my Botox treatment and I'm wondering if anyone here has experienced the same issues. I'm 27 and I've had ADSD for about 10 years now. I've been getting Botox treatment for about 9 years. The injections have been moderately successful until about a year ago. For my last few injections, I didn't experience the usual side effects (breathiness, weird sneezes, trouble with swallowing, etc.) and they didn't improve my voice like they normally did. My question is...does the effectiveness of Botox decrease with use? i.e. does the vocal cords eventually get use to the drug? My doctor has tried increasing the dosage to no avail. Your experiences and comments are appreciated. Thanks! Summer

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Re: Botox no longer working? Re: Botox no longer working? -- summer Top of thread Archive Posted by: Ida ® 10/18/2004, 16:45:42 Hello Summer About 6 years ago I experienced exactly the same situation that you described. After 10 years of successful (mostly) Botox shots they became less and less effective until I had no response at all from them. My doctor injected Botox into my forehead and there was no response there either and came to the conclusion that I had become immune to Botox. Dr. Maragos at the Mayo Clinic (where I recently underwent a procedure called thyroplasty) said they are noticing much more immunity now that Botox has been widely used for 10 years. 10 years seems to be the "magic" time when, if you are prone to become immune to it, you do. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions. Ida ADSD 27 yrs. (11 yrs. undiagnosed. 10 yrs. Botox. 5 yrs. untreated. 6 months thyroplasty.) | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: Botox no longer working? Re: Re: Botox no longer working? -- Ida Top of thread Archive Posted by: summer ® 10/19/2004, 13:31:09 Hi Ida - Thanks for your response. That's very interesting that 10 years is the "magic" time as I'm just approaching that. I'm going to give Botox another try...I really hope that I haven't grown immune to it as it's been my saving grace for the last few years. I dread going through the frustration of looking for another form of treatment. Although comparatively, I've had it better than most since my undiagnosed period only lasted about a year and a half. I can't even begin to imagine what it would've been like to go on like that for 11 years... Is the thyroplasty working well for you? -Summer | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: Botox no longer working? Re: Re: Botox no longer working? -- summer Top of thread Archive Posted by: Ida ® 10/19/2004, 14:01:46 Hi Summer Definitely try Botox again. I tried it off and on through the 5 years from when I first noticed the injections being less effective. (maybe 7-8 injections). I also tried Myobloc. My doctor (and ENT at a National Research Hospital) tried everything. We upped the dosage, tried different kinds of placements etc. Believe me if Botox still worked for me I would have kept with it. The thyroplasty is working well. My voice isn't as good at it was on Botox but I was down to almost no voice at all and that only with much straining. It is good enough to have been cast in a play. I am glad to be back on 'the boards' (on stage) again. Good luck to you. I hope the Botox does work for you. Ida | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: Botox no longer working? Re: Botox no longer working? -- summer Top of thread Archive Posted by: Samietooo ® 10/19/2004, 09:05:15 I'm sorry to hear about your experience, but let me say this, from my experience. So far in the year 2004, I have gone for 4 injections. The first 3 didn't work! I just went on Saturday, October 15th, this one worked! I do believe when the doctor doesn't inject botox in the right place, we are 'immune!' Before going on Saturday, after having the previous 3 injections not take, I really didn't go with a positive attitude, believe me! I've also had botox for at least 10 years (probably longer) with great success. I've been told over and over again that because we get such a low dose, we will not become immune. Now all of a sudden I'm hearing people say that we can, and I personally don't believe it. Surely after many injections, there has to be scar tissue because each time there is a healing process, but I don't believe that we build up an immunity. My suggestion is to talk to your doctor. I don't believe any doctor will take the 'blame' for unsuccessful injections, but possibly can try another way of injecting. And another option is to go to another doctor who will get it right! It would have been very easy for me to assume that botox wasn't working for me after 3 failed injections, but I knew better! Best of luck to you, and if there is any proof that we build up an immunity, I'd like to hear it. Carol (Florida) | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: Botox no longer working? Re: Re: Botox no longer working? -- Samietooo Top of thread Archive Posted by: summer ® 10/19/2004, 13:35:58 Hi Carol - Thanks for your response. I moved cities about 5 years ago and switched doctors. At that point, I noticed that my injections have not been as successful. I don't know if that's because the "immunity" has started to build in or whether I switched doctors. I'm going to give Botox another shot (haha, pun intended). I'm going back home this November and have made an appointment with my original doctor...I hope it goes well. Thanks again for sharing your experiences. Summer | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: Botox no longer working? Re: Re: Botox no longer working? -- summer Top of thread Archive Posted by: Samietooo ® 10/19/2004, 15:00:10 Hi Summer. Funny, I didn't add that I had to switch doctors too because of insurance reasons and that's when botox stopped working for me. I knew "I" hadn't built up an immunity. Maybe others have, I can't speak for all! I only know what my experience has been and what I've heard from many others. Best of luck when you see your old doctor! I'd like to know what happens! Carol (Florida) | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page