First of all, what the hell is Botox anyway? It’s a toxin. Isn’t a toxin poison? Yes it is. It is made from botulism toxin, a type of nerve poison created by bacteria. If consumed in even moderate sized doses, the toxins can cause botulism, a paralyzing and often fatal disease. In very small doses, the drug simply paralyzes muscles-temporarily-that the doctor or the patient wants to deactivate. Why would anybody do such a thing? Well, in the beginning, beauty trumps botulism. Botox started out as a means of getting rid of wrinkles. Can you say Nicole Kidman? Sorry Nic. Almost 100% of Botox was used for cosmetic reasons. Today an amazing 54% is used for other treatments. Why am I so interested in this? Because I am a user of Botox for “other treatments”. Back in 2010 I was diagnosed with Cervical Dystonia. I’ve written several blogs on my journey to find a treatment. Here’s the first: https://www.satisfyingmycuriosity.com/2010/04/06/the-twisted-head/. The first picture is before treatment and the second after treatment:
With the twisted head, it sort of “skews” the world for you. Keeps you off balance as well. As you can see the damned stuff works. I get three vials of Botox shot into my left and right neck and shoulder muscles. I get about 10-12 injections per visit. If I didn’t get this done every three months or not at all, it would be very painful and eventually I would become deformed. This treatment is very expensive. $1800 for just the Botox before the doctor’s cost. Insurance does pay 80%. What’s wrong with you that Botox might fix or alleviate? Here are approved uses: Chronic migraines, crossed eyes, eyelid spasms, Cervical Dystonia (me), severe under arm sweating, urinary incontinence, overactive bladder,and muscle stiffness in elbows, wrists, finger muscles. Clinical trials are now being done for junior cerebral palsy, depression, joint pain and (listen up guys) premature ejaculation. I look at some of these and I ask, “uh, just where are the injection sites?” If you have any of these issues, Botox might be something you’d want to look into. When I tell people what I use the Botox for, want to guess their standard response? It’s, “you must have the smoothest neck and shoulders.” Yuck Yuck.
http://www.botoxmedical.com/cervical-dystonia/signs-of-cervical-dystonia/
http://www.dystonia.org.uk/index.php/about-dystonia/treatments/botulinum-toxin-injections
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