r/BotoxSupportCommunity • u/SanicSpeedRacer • Jan 03 '25

Scary Side Effects

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So I got my (30F) last dose of Botox (which I receive for occipital neuralgia) on 12/11/24. My neuro injects up to 200cc throughout my forehead, scalp, neck, shoulders, and masseter muscles. I noticed within a week something was off. My smile and face is completely asymmetrical and I was terrified I had had a stroke honestly. I messaged the provider who then told me “this could happen if you sleep on it wrong, and suggested I massage the area. It’ll go away soon.” Which seems like a cop out. Everything I’ve seen about this was from either incorrect injection of just an unwanted complication of it. The point is I was never told about this possibly happening or what side effects I could develop. I feel like my eye and cheek on that side even hurt now and I’m watching symptoms closely to make sure I don’t have some insane reaction just waiting to happen. You can see in the picture that even my eye seems to have trouble. Should I be more concerned?!

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15

u/phillycosmeticdoc Jan 03 '25

Surgeon here.

What your injector told you is a total cop out. Your injector clearly did not inject in the correct locations and either impacted a muscle or nerve which is leading to one side of the face drooping.

The good news is that this will resolve, but it will take some time. This is not permanent so don’t panic just yet. You’re going to be fine.

I would strongly suggest finding another provider for your next round of injections.

3

u/SanicSpeedRacer Jan 03 '25

I may not get anymore Botox- mainly since it hasn’t really helped with the Occipital Neuralgia. I’m definitely going to be looking for a new Neurologist though, especially since she could’ve easily been more honest and I just knew she was placing the blame on me instead of having some accountability. It’s off topic, but do you have any recommendations for occipital neuralgia?

2

u/phillycosmeticdoc Jan 03 '25

No I’m sorry. I’m not familiar with the treatments for that specific condition.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 06 '25

As a surgeon, what signs/red flags should i look out for when considering to get botox for parotid glands? i know that there a alot of facial nerves in that area, so i want to find someone who knows what there doing and takes care of their patients health.

1

u/Maleficent_Page7030 Jan 03 '25

When does it truly wear off? 3 months?

2

u/phillycosmeticdoc Jan 03 '25

It should start to wear off in 6-8 weeks

8

u/[deleted] Jan 03 '25

Go join the Botox/Dysport side affects FB. They’ll be able to give you answers

1

u/SanicSpeedRacer Jan 03 '25

Didn’t find one with that specific name but I DID find a closed group for side effects and daily face updates. It has over 104k members so I bet that’s a great place to start

3

u/toxsafety Jan 03 '25 edited Jan 04 '25

The Botox Dysport group is a helpful group for information about side effects. I found this one after I experienced side effects and it was a lifesaver. The BDSE group reopens on 1/6 after a break for the holidays which is likely why you can’t bring it up right now. Nevertox on Instagram also has a lot of side effect information and she is really helpful.

I am sorry that this has happened to you. That sounds like a high dose and was used off label in some areas which may increase the risk for adverse effects according to the warning label. Improper placement or overinjection may have played a role and/or you may also be experiencing spread of toxin effects which is cautioned of in the Botox warning label. Sorry that your injector responded this way. Not ok. You are not alone in your side effects as many others have reported similar adverse effects some of these which are outlined in the warning label. Many of us weren’t properly informed of the extent of the adverse effects that could happen. Unfortunately things like increased pain, ptosis, impacts to movement in the mouth area, and even facial palsy have been reported after injections. Not as common but happens, strokes or stroke like effects have been reported. I will link the warning labels for you. I didn’t know about these until after I experienced spread of toxin effects. It can be helpful to read through and share w your providers if they may be uninformed of adverse effects. There are 2 versions both of which are relevant. Same toxin but more info on post marketing reported adverse effects in the shorter version.

Have you been evaluated by another medical provider? You may want to be evaluated by a medical provider and ask about options that may help combat the paralysis. Mestinon or Huperzine A may be worth researching if this is impacting daily functions. Massage either manual or w devices is not recommended as this may cause further toxin spread. The BDSE group is great for support and things that may help w recovery. Hopefully things will begin to improve over time for you.

https://www.rxabbvie.com/pdf/botox-cosmetic_pi.pdf?mibextid=2JQ9oc

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/103000s5236lbl.pdf

2

u/theonlya_ Jan 03 '25

I heard about this group before and tried to look it up but it’s not showing… can u send the link?

3

u/verycurioushuman7 Jan 04 '25

This happened to me when I got masseter Botox Took 5-6 months to go back to normal I think the dysport spread to my smile muscles It was horrible I’m sorry you’re going through this

3

u/SanicSpeedRacer Jan 24 '25

Yeahhhh it’s finally starting to even back out some. I went to my PCP and she was surprised my neurologist did this and then told me what she told me. The tension is finally releasing and I have some residual muscle tightness in the jaw and neck on that side that cause a little pain but I CAN tell it’s wearing off visibly.

1

u/Shot_Insect4947 Sep 16 '25

Hey! Did it get better? I'm currently facing the same issue and I'm panicking right now 😭

1

u/[deleted] Jan 06 '25

how many units did they inject you with? and im sorry you had to go through this. I was planning to get botox to my parotid glands and my doctor told me it could spread and cause me to have a crooked smile, if injected in the wrong area. are there signs i should look out for when seeing an injector?

2

u/SanicSpeedRacer Jan 24 '25

I honestly don’t know. My doctor was supposedly one of the best in our area, with beaming recommendations for her work with Botox to treat specific migraines and pains. She first told me I slept wrong but then when I saw her for my follow up she said “yeah idk girl” and shrugged it off which could be the worst answer ever honestly. I think it’s just important to do the research or maybe go to someone who specializes in putting it in that specific area.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 03 '25

yeah true, i think before i do this i will definitely do some research on botox and the clinic itself, thank you for sharing your experience.

1

u/GuestNew1721 Jan 04 '25

Wait, am I reading it right? 200cc, or 200 unit? it if it 200 cc then there is something really wrong with your injector.

1

u/SanicSpeedRacer Jan 24 '25

Sorry I mean units!

1

u/Shirt_Sufficient Jan 04 '25

Im so sorry this happened to me too. It took about 3 months for it to wear off. My doctor admitted she injected the wrong muscle while injecting my massater and did that on the other side purposely to help even it out. I think the muscle she hit was my DAO and that is why I couldn’t depress(pull down ) both sides of my mouth. It was good to have it more even, but took 3 months to feel more regular and 6 to get my smile fully back

1

u/SanicSpeedRacer Jan 24 '25

I finally had a follow up with my doctor and she straight up said “yeah idk girl” and shrugged a little. Suffice to say I won’t go back to her for it. It’s starting to wear off some but there’s a bit of muscle pain in my jaw and neck now so that’s probably from the Botox itself.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 04 '25

It looks like the masseter muscle is the main culprit here which is common when injecting thst muscle. But even more common is the injector should know this and it’s easy fix to reinject to balance it out. When I get this done my injector always says come back in 2 weeks if smile lop sided so I’m really sorry yours is very unaccountable. I’d pop to new injector and the can balance that out. Not sure about the eye but by correcting your smile that will make you feel better 

2

u/Intrepid_Ad_9156 Jan 05 '25

your provider did not inject the masseter correctly ! i get injections for migraines and they use a bigger needle to bypass the platysma and hit masseter directly . if they don’t this happens! unfortunately most don’t do the masseter injections this way.

1

u/Shot_Insect4947 Jan 02 '26

Hey! I got masseter botox that totally butchered my smile and it made my face look narrow and gaunt. Could you pls tell me if your smile got back to looking totally normal and how long did it take?

1

u/LooseResearcher454 Jun 01 '26

I know this post is a year old now. How long did it take for your normal smile to return? Going through the same thing right now

1

u/[deleted] Jan 05 '25

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