My Botox Fiasco

I have had an issue for some time with my face having a mind of its own!  I have hemi facial spasms.  Which means 2 nerves in the back of my neck have gone haywire and my face does it's own thing.  I didn't know for a long time what it was called I just knew I was blinking all them time and my mouth would curl up every time I blinked.  I really thought it had something to do with having a stroke all those years ago or having had Bells palsy way back.  I put it off as long as I could but when it was impairing my driving I just had to have it looked at once and for all.

I had a boatload of tests and they came back with Hemi Facial Spasms.  My choices were medication that hardly ever works, surgery or Botox injections around the eye and mouth.  Well helloooo, botox paid for by my insurance sounded like a plan. I hate meds and surgery--no one likes that!  Ok so I'm thinking botox will stop the damn twitching face and smooth out the wrinkles.  Boy was I delusional!

I was a nervous wreck about getting shots in my face but the thought of being "normal" was something I so wanted.  I had to drive...afterall I am an unpaid taxi and the contract I had at the time required field work so I had no choice. 

I met with my neurologist and set up the botox.  I went on my appointed day in December 2008 and received the shots.  He told me within 4-7 days the twitching would stop and all would be normal. Three days later --a miracle--normal face--no twitching!!  I was elated.  Oh how I sang that docs praises.  Woo hoo!!! On the fifth day...reality slapped me in the face...the left side of my face wouldn't move ...at all!!  It was paralyzed and drool was now spewing from my mouth.  No one could barely understand me!!!

I called the doc asap and he told me that sometimes--some people--have a bad reaction and their face becomes paralyzed. Well hello asshole I am one of those people!!!  Now I have one eyelid that won't open at all and drool coming down my face like a teething baby.  What could I do???  The idiot offered me a lovely "EYE-CRUTCH" that I could hook on my glasses to keep my eyelid open.  At that I just went off on a rant....first I go for the twitching, then when it appears my miracle happened my face goes all to hell and you want me to put a friggen crutch on my glasses.  Hellooooo idiot I looked like a freak before now you've just set me for SUPREME FREAKISHNESS--Oh thank you!!!!

I checked with other docs and was told the same thing over and over--time is all that will help.  The botox has to wear off and that could take up to 6 months.  Oh thanks ...just what I wanted to hear. 

The eyelid did eventually open but for awhile I walked around with one eye open and one shut.  My face looked horrible and I was reminded of my stroke everytime I saw myself in a mirror.  I had to remind myself this was different and it would go away!  The botox took about 3 months to lesson and it thankfully has faded.

Now the twitching has started up again but only a little.  It will worsen as the months go by but this time I will find a different doc.  I have a call into one at the University of Penn.  It will be months before I get an appointment but that's OK.  I will never go see a local--small time hospital neurologist ever again.  I have done my research and learned that my doc should have told me to NOT LAY DOWN for 6 hours after the shots.  He said no such thing...I headed right home afterwards for a nap!!  Could be just what happened or maybe just my bad luck!!

Really not sure if I'll try it again or go for the surgery.  I just know I do not want that frozen look again ever!!!