Spasmodic Dysphonia Bulletin Board

Question regarding muscle relaxer meds along with Botox
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Posted by: Nikki ® 11/01/2004, 19:43:35

As you may already know, I have AD SD and have just taken my first Botox shot Wednesday 10/27. My boss treats movement disorders, such as Essential Tremors and other movement disorders (but he doesn't treat SD) and he suggested that I take Ativan, which is supposed to relax me and/or my muscles so that I won't be so anxious all the time. I was about to fill the prescription, but thought to myself, "Is this going to interfere with my Botox progress in any way?" Does anyone know the answer to this? I hear success stories of Botox and not so successful stories, but no one really knows what determines that. I just want the botox to do what it's going to do without interference. It was also suggested that I take Prilosec for a minor case of "acid reflux". So has any one had success with Botox after taking either of these medications along with it? Nikki Modified by Nikki at Mon, Nov 01, 2004, 19:44:51

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Re: Question regarding muscle relaxer meds along with Botox Re: Question regarding muscle relaxer meds along with Botox -- Nikki Top of thread Archive Posted by: kitty ® 11/02/2004, 21:22:25 I took Ativan (Generic Lorazepam) on my own intuitian as stress seemed to make my voice worse. I used it for IBS whenever I had a bad problem with that and wondered if it would help. It seemed like the 1mg did give me some voice in the mornings but it is a short acting drug and can be additictive. My doctor suggested I only take .5 which did little. The effect seemed to ware off after a while anyway. Now I take Valium in place of Ambien that I was using for insomnia that I have had for years. My ENT does not like prescription sleep aids and prescribed Valium at night to help me sleep and because it is a muscle relaxant not a anti-anxiety like Ativan. However, research shows oral medications don't have much sucess on SD. I have ABSD and MTD symptoms as well so Valium does help take the edge of my neck tension and pain. What I find interesting is the number of SD patients who have had acid reflux (GERD). I had heartburn as early as sixth grade and in 1998 had a fundoplication and hernia repair because I was aspirating stomach contents into my lungs. My doctor worried about Barret's (pre cancer) so I had the surgery done to fix the problem. I wonder if the acid reflux damaged the nerves to my vocal muscles. I hope that research finds a cure for us, but by all means you have MANY REASONS to treat your acid reflux because of the serious consequences of what the acid can do to you. Stomach acid is much stronger than hydrocholic acid and can do a lot of damage to your throat and lungs. Mine was not controled for 35 years even though I tried every drug on the market. I should have had the repair done years earlier. There are new procedures now where a band is placed around the esophagus and is relatively a save and effective procedure and much simpler than the fundoplication I had done by endoscope where the back of the stomach is wrapped around the esophagus and stitched. The hernia (hole in diaphram) is also repaired at the same time. Ask your doctor but you should take care of the acid reflux no matter how "minor" it may be. | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: Question regarding muscle relaxer meds along with Botox Re: Re: Question regarding muscle relaxer meds along with Botox -- kitty Top of thread Archive Posted by: Nikki ® 11/02/2004, 22:50:58 This was great information. I am actually very familiar with the procedure you mentioned for acid reflux. I even considered having it done when I thought that the acid reflux was the primary cause of my dysphonia. But then I had the 24 hour PH Probe study, which turned out negative for GERD. But I do agree with you on the possibility of acid damaging the vocal muscles. I am going to get the reflux medication...it can't do anything but help. But in regards to the anti-anxiety and/or muscle relaxers, I guess what I was really asking was if you noticed a change in the affect of your botox while taking those medications (assuming you have had more than one injection). For instance, did the botox last longer without the meds versus while taking the meds. Nikki | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: Question regarding muscle relaxer meds along with Botox Re: Re: Question regarding muscle relaxer meds along with Botox -- kitty Top of thread Archive Posted by: doris st. clair ® 11/12/2004, 11:05:35 Hi Kitty and everyone, I was wondering if you had a cough with your acid reflux before you had the fundoplication. I have ADSD which appeared shortly after the reflux started. I cough constantly and sound as though I have bronchitis. I do not have shortness of breath, just a tickle in the middle of my chest. The only thing the doctors tell me is that the cough is probably due to acid reflux, allergies or sinus drainage. Nothing seems to help though but recently heard of someone who had her esophagus wrapped and have been thinking of seeing her doctor. Regards, Doris St. Clair AD/SD | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: Question regarding muscle relaxer meds along with Botox Re: Re: Question regarding muscle relaxer meds along with Botox -- kitty Top of thread Archive Posted by: toad ® 12/17/2004, 22:30:48 Actually valium is exactly like ativan. They are both benzodiazepines. Valium is not a muscle relaxant, but an anti-anxiety medication. The major difference between ativan and valium are the length of action: valium is long acting and ativan is medium acting. So I would try to get off the valium as it can be habit forming. Also it can (like other benzos) decrease stage 3 and 4 sleep, thus, although it may help you fall asleep quicker, but you're really not getting "good" sleep or deep sleep and will actually be more tired. | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page