Botox injections

[Suzyhayes]

i had Botox injections in my right hand on Friday for severe neuropathic pain but so far no effect. How long should it take before there is some improvement?

Has anyone had Botox for painful conditions. Would be pleased to here from you.

[Hidden]

Hi I just had Botox in my stump it took about two to three days to work for me that was the first time I suffer with crps had to have my left arm amputated I still have crps in stump but not as bad I have waited a long time for this injections so far so good

[johnsmith]

You may not get an improvement if the problem is due to referred pain. Referred pain is caused by pressure on the nerves at one place and the pain registers at another.

[Suzyhayes in reply to johnsmith]

This is interesting. Tell me more. The pain is in my hand and fingers but probably comes from the neck. Do you think if I had the Botox injections in the neck area it might be more successful. Thanks for your advice.

[johnsmith]

I have extended discs in the neck so I know the experience of pain in my hands and fingers on occasion.

The amount of pressure on the nerve roots in the neck is dependant on the muscular behaviour in the back and at the shoulder. And following this a whole set of spinal reflexes which modify how tense muscles can be in various places. So the tension in the legs can affect the neck and by a round about route modify the hand and finger pain for better or worse.

I have found this out by having McTimony chiropractic treatment on the NHS since 1994 and I have experience of the Alexander Technique and T'ai Chi for thirty years plus.

It is my belief because of my experience that Botox injections in the neck area might help the pain, but I doubt it. The Botox injections in the neck may end up with your arm muscle mechanisms becoming paralysed.

An approach is to study yourself. Mindfulness and meditation is a good route. A good book is

"Intuitive_Awareness" by -Ajahn_Sumedho

it is a free download from

buddhanet.net/pdf_file/intu...

It is very difficult to practice meditation by yourself so finding a compatible budhist group to practice the meditation in would be helpful.

A McTimony chiropractic could help remove areas of tension that is applying pressure on the neck. An Alexander teacher should be able to give you the tools to find and remove areas of muscular tension caused by bad posture and poor muscular habits.

See:

alexandertechnique.co.uk/

for more information.

Hopefully using the above tools to study yourself you will find some improvement. Note it will take time as you need to determine for yourself what works and what does not.

Hope this helps

[Suzyhayes]

Many thanks for your advice. I did Alexander technique many years ago when I lived in London but not easy to find a teacher here in France. My neck problem results from having three operations including a lamenectomy for spinal compression so my neck is permanently fragile now but the stinging pain in the hands is the worst thing to live with as it is continuous and severe. No result so far from local Botox injections but I will go back to see the doctor again at the end of next week.

To be honest if the neck injection resulted in arm paralysis I think I would even prefer that if it removed the pain!

I fear there is never going to be an end to this neuropathic pain but I try to stay positive. La vie est difficile n'est pas?

[teadrinker]

Hi Suzy

It's good to hear from another pain sufferer who has had botox. I've been having it for 5 years in my face, head & shoulder. I get pain in these places and in my arm, so having it in my shoulder can help the arm but doesn't always.

It took a few lots of treatment to get the most effective results. Every now and then they slightly change the exact injection sites because the exact location or type of pain alters a bit. The doctor who does my injections says it's "chasing the pain" to get the best results for the person.

I haven't had any paralysing effects, and botox is used a lot as a medical treatment by experienced doctors, so please don't worry. I once had it in my face for the pain & had a very mild weakness in the muscles when I smiled, but botox wears off after 3 months, so it was not a problem.

I had my last lot about 10 days ago - felt rough for the first days (I suppose the body has to deal with the toxin) but a lot better with a big reduction in pain since then.

It's not a miracle cure but it's made things a lot better. I feel very lucky to get it.

Hope it goes well.

[Suzyhayes in reply to teadrinker]

Many thanks for your response. I am a bit disappointed because the Botox injections I had in my hand for severe neuropathy as a result of my neck surgery haven't had any effect yet. I go back next Friday for further treatment. It seems it is not an immediate effect so perhaps I need to be more patient.

What is the cause of your pain? Do you think Botox can Help with neuropathic pain or is it only a muscle relaxant? Thanks again for your advice. Best regards Suzy

[teadrinker]

I've got a slightly abnormal curve in my spine and some extra ribs, so I am a bit off-centre and the surrounding muscles are very tight. This has led to trigger points, so if someone presses a trigger point in my shoulder I will not only get pain there, but also pain in my arm or face. Some people will try to treat the trigger points (through a variety of methods including injections, or massage) in order to improve the pain.

In my experience the botox has played a part in managing the neuropathic pain. I still get it, but before botox it was much worse.

I have also tried many other things for my pain over several years, from medication to complementary therapies. For me, the best results have come from a combination of botox, physio and making sure I stay on top of things (eg getting a bit of exercise to avoid stiffening up).

Don't give up hope.

[Suzyhayes]

Dear friend, the doctor who did the Botox injections in my hand is going to try injections in muscles around my neck shoulder area. He pressed some trigger points which were very painful so he thinks they could help with the referred pain in my hands.

In the past three years I have tried so many remedies and I am weary because nothing seems to work but one must go on trying before making that trip to Dignitas I think! All the best to you.