Botox and Pain: What Users Say

• Lan...
• October 6, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "The Botox not only was highly ineffective for me, but also left me with horrible neck and shoulder pain. My first Botox was over a year ago, a week after that I woke up with a frozen neck and shoulders pain. I was waiting for the 3 months mark for a relief, but it never came. It seems that the muscles that were injected became paralyzed and other ones started overcompensating, and thus became very tight and painful. Neck MRI came normal. 4 months ago I was talked again into the Botox and the neck pain got only worse. On top of that I am having this horrid nerve-like pain on the left side of my head. Besides, the Botox never helped with my migraines. So please be careful, cause you may end up worse than before..with a new kind of pain."

• Lou...
• November 27, 2019

For Urinary Frequency "I am a 34-year-old female and had Botox in my bladder in July this year for urine frequency that I had been suffering with for years. Procedure went fine, but a week in, I was in so much pain. I had to self-catheterize four times a day and have had five different antibiotics for infections. I am also in a lot of pain around the urethra area constantly. I would much rather go back to the way I was than to go through it again. Hoping it starts to wear off soon. The pain is driving me crazy and not getting much sleep. Is anyone else experiencing this pain? It's been over four months now since I had the Botox procedure."

• Ami...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2016

For Urinary Frequency "I had Botox injected about 4 weeks ago now. I had more of an urge to go post-injection; however, I was unable to empty my bladder. Still, 4 weeks later, I'm pushing to go. I've been to the ER (they drained me with a catheter) and a urologist who say I have a normal amount of urine left, but I don't feel that way. I spent the night in pain and days pushing to go. Also constipated for almost three weeks, no matter how many laxatives I take. Can't wait for it to wear off. I'm 26 and miserable. Wish I never did it."

• Mig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Botox is your last resort, they said. Before Botox, I had 3-4 migraines a week. I didn't like the frequent medicine, but I could usually catch it early and hadn't vomited for years. 32 Botox shots were prescribed at my 1st appointment (kickbacks, anyone?) and 3-4 migraines/week turned to 6-7/week. I managed to avoid sumatriptan for 3 days this month with the help of massive doses of caffeine and pain meds I take for a degenerative, painful condition. Always had neck pain, now it's 10x worse in a cramping spasm nightly and 24/7 pain way. Deafening tinnitus (ears ringing), BP and heart rate up, possibly due to Botox pain levels. I breathe shallowly, catch myself doing it, and bizarro heart flutters and faint/dizzy spells I've never felt at 42 years old. My head has not stopped hurting for a minute since Botox, and they're weird migraines - they feel different from my typical migraine and are much harder to treat. Scalp feels swollen. I'm glad I tried, but my miracle drug, it is not!"

• Xin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 31, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I had Botox treatments for my migraines for about a year and a half. I was thrilled as it completely took away my migraines and I had no side effects. I had my life back. Then last August I went to get my regular 3-month injections at 4 p.m. By 7 p.m. that evening, I was experiencing dizziness. By the next day, I had a severe headache, neck pain, dizziness, trouble swallowing, pain in my shoulders, etc. It was terrible. My doctor told me he didn't think it was from the Botox, but that I probably caught a virus at the same time I got the shots. Seriously? Here I am, 3 months later, and I can hardly hold up my head. I have headaches, shoulder pain, neck pain, pain, and numbness going down my arms. The dizziness has never gone away."

• Do...
• September 22, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "Horrible migraine hours following treatment. Started out like someone hit me in the back of the head with a baseball bat. Then the horrible nonstop headache set in. Ended up at the ER the first day because nothing stopped the pain. Woke up the next day with an excruciating headache. Worse than any of my terrible daily migraines. The neurologist did not call back. Long story short. Went to the ER 2x in 5 days. Neurologist was completely unhelpful and never spoke with me. After the 6th day, I barely made it through work. There is severe cramping in the neck and in between the shoulders. Where the muscles were paralyzed, the other muscles in the area are overcompensating for the 'Botoxed' areas. I WILL NEVER again do Botox. It made a bad situation completely unbearable."

• Lor...
• October 16, 2016

For Urinary Frequency "I had Botox for bladder on the 15th of August 2016, I got urosepsis the first week and was in resus at A&E, an impatient for one week. Now, nine weeks later, it's a complete nightmare. My bladder holds over 200mls, still in retention, constant UTIs. I couldn't get used to self-catheterization because I was using it every hour and kept piercing my bladder. Now, I'm on an indwelling catheter with constant UTIs, a total nightmare and instant pain wearing the catheter. I am worried I will ever have a normal bladder again and live a normal life. I'm worried that using an indwelling catheter will weaken my muscles even further. I'm sick of taking antibiotics, lost weight through stress, and worry. I suggest that whoever considers this treatment should look at all the risks first and do thorough research."

• Sor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 13, 2018

For Cervical Dystonia "I tried Botox injections in the back of my neck and front left side for cervical dystonia 2 weeks ago today. Total of 16 injections, the pain was something I never want to go through again. I have missed a total of 24 hours at work due to pain and overall difficulties with talking and this weird feeling of my head being pulled back into my neck. Intense piercing pain in the top of my head in the back. I have difficulty lifting with pain in my upper back, shoulders, and neck area. I am getting cramping at the back of my head near the hairline. Difficulty turning my head to the right (making it hard to reverse when driving). My throat is swollen, it is hard to eat. I knew about this as being a side effect. But the rest has been so much of a burden that I would rather have a head that shakes. I can’t see myself going through this process again. To top it all off, my head still is shaking. I am excited for this medication to wear off."

• Sab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2020

For Urinary Frequency "I had the procedure today at the hospital, and the doctor that was doing my procedure said it would be just a little pinch. Well, she lied, it hurt and burned like I don't know what. Never felt anything like it. I told her many times to stop, she continued to torture me. Whoever said this procedure isn't painful is extremely lucky or under anesthesia. This procedure is very painful. I will not complete any follow-up treatments."

• Its...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I had the 31 recommended injections. In the first 24 hours, I developed extreme injection site pain. It felt like electrified acid had been injected into my head and neck. All the injection sites became extremely itchy, and my eyeballs were itchy. 48 hours later, my neck and shoulders locked into knots. At 72 hours (after the weekend), I returned to my doctor. The doctor said that it was all in my head, even though I couldn't turn my head to look over my shoulder. He prescribed Benadryl and Aleve. Benadryl helped the itchiness, but Aleve did nothing for the neck and shoulder pain. I've tried Motrin, heat, massage, and muscle relaxers... nothing has worked. At 10 days out, I can't hold my head up. The doctor is sending me to the ER."

• Deb...
• December 25, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I had the 32 Botox injections five days ago for migraines. It's probably too soon to tell if they will help. However, I want to mention that the injections were unbelievably painful. I've had cosmetic Botox injections in my face. Yes, they sting a bit. However, the migraine Botox injections were horrible. The doctor said many patients don't make it through the whole 32 injections. I have never experienced that type of pain from a shot. Is this normal?"

• Sab...
• May 3, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "So my first experience was just on the cosmetic side, and it helped with my migraines beautifully! My forehead looked amazing, and my migraines had been reduced. However, I still felt the onset of them in my neck and shoulders. So, upon talking to my neurologist, he said since I benefited from the cosmetic one, I should try the actual one for migraines. It's been four days, and I'm so sore, and like other people have said, AVOID getting the neck injections!!! I can hardly hold my head up, and I wake with neck and shoulder pain. I'm bruised on my shoulders, and it's swollen. Now I'm just in overall pain. The neck weakness is horrible, it's weird to think holding your head up is hard."

• Sab...
• May 3, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "So my first experience was just on the cosmetic side, and it helped with my migraines beautifully! My forehead looked amazing, and my migraines had been reduced. However, I still felt the onset of them in my neck and shoulders. So, upon talking to my neurologist, he said since I benefited from the cosmetic one, I should try the actual one for migraines. It's been four days, and I'm so sore, and like other people have said, AVOID getting the neck injections!!! I can hardly hold my head up, and I wake with neck and shoulder pain. I'm bruised on my shoulders, and it's swollen. Now I'm just in overall pain. The neck weakness is horrible, it's weird to think holding your head up is hard."

• Maz...
• October 11, 2016

For Urinary Frequency "Had Botox for overactive bladder 12 days ago. Been miserable ever since, pain is as bad as ever, and I have gone into retention, so now having to self-catheterize up to 4 times a day. Will now need to wait for the Botox to wear off to see if I can pass urine normally again. 6 months of pain, throbbing, pulsating sensation, and the constant feeling of needing the toilet, and I thought Botox was the answer, instead, it's made matters worse!"

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2019

For Urinary Frequency "I got Botox October 1st, 2019, for urinary problems, and they said it takes anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 weeks to 6 weeks to work. The procedure is very painful and takes about 1 hour. The aftermath this has caused, I would never wish on anyone. I'm peeing every 15 minutes to 5 minutes, the procedure weakened the bladder and made me worse. Don't have it done."

• Sis...
• January 15, 2017

For Cervical Dystonia "I have cervical dystonia, and the first time I received the shots, they didn't work. I felt like it made it worse, but the doctor said everything I was going through was normal, it would get better. She said just put ice on my neck, and if that didn't help, try a heating pad. That didn't help, so I decided not to have the shots anymore. But about six months later, I decided maybe I should try the shots again, so I did, and I'm glad I did because they worked the second time. I have to say when I get the shots and they hurt really bad, they seem to work better. I know that sounds crazy, but it's because she is getting the muscle that is causing the dystonia to act up. I'm really glad I gave it a second chance. So if you are like me and gave up, maybe try it again."

• Tar...
• December 12, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I had my first lot of Botox yesterday. 31 injections for chronic daily headaches and migraines. I was just wondering if how I'm feeling after seemed normal? My eyes feel very droopy, and it feels as though my vision has been affected. Also, I'm still having a lot of pain in my head (not a typical headache or migraine), more pain and numbness where the injections have been - especially my forehead. I also keep going very light-headed when I'm doing things and feeling very faint, so I haven't been able to do a lot. Can anyone please let me know if it's normal to get these types of reactions? Thank you."

• Don...
• January 16, 2019

For Urinary Frequency "I had the Botox in October 2018 for an overactive bladder. I got told I could go into retention for a few days. This was the worst decision of my life. Three days after the procedure, I couldn’t pee, I was in agony, so I got taken to A&E. I was admitted and was in for 13 days. I had an infection and was in retention fully, had a fullness feeling, and was in chronic pain. I got discharged with catheters, and I was so sore using the catheters I couldn’t use them. So, I ended up back to A&E, admitted again another 5 days with an indwelling catheter in this time. Then came home, and 3 days later the catheter got blocked, the pain was that bad I couldn’t walk, sit, stand, or anything. I was sick, so back again to A&E, admitted again. It’s now the middle of January, and I’m no better. I’m still using catheters. I've got the fullness feeling and can’t get on with my life. I don’t get any feeling of needing a wee. All I can say is please look into it properly before deciding to have this. It is not worth it at all!!!!"

• Hap...
• January 25, 2021

For Urinary Frequency "I used to pee about hourly and about 5-6 times a night. Botox suggested. Had Botox and ended on the toilet every 5-10 minutes. Warned to expect frequency. Hours later, crippled in pain from continual peeing, then had blood in urine. Had an ultrasound of the bladder to measure residual urine, which showed 60 ml residual after peeing. My bladder holds 50-70 ml. Needed a catheter to give me some rest. Went home with an indwelling catheter. No antibiotics before or after Botox. Two weeks later, now 2-3 bags of blood each day in the bag. No visibility in the bag due to blood and stringy clots for 4 days in a row. Told nothing to worry about at the local hospital, antibiotics injected and got tablets for bladder infection. Wishing I was never pushed to try Botox by the urologist. Returning to remove the catheter for 1 day in a few days, to see if successful and teach self-cathing. This means toileting 15 minutes - 1/2 hour and 1-2 hours at night with self-cathing. Would not recommend Botox for bladder issues requiring bladder surgery."

• Mis...
• September 17, 2015

For Urinary Frequency "Worst decision I ever made. I am far worse now with frequency, always feeling like I need to urinate, UTIs, and pain. Can't sleep at night with going to the bathroom 8 or more times, and lack of sleep triggered my depression."

• sal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I did not have a good result with Botox for migraines. It gave me more pain and headaches that lasted for the most part of one month. Pain in shoulders and neck, a tight feeling across the forehead like a band-aid being pulled very tight. Horrible extreme headache that would come and go. One morning, about 2 weeks later, I woke up alarmed because the pain in my forehead had radiated to my face. Very tight feeling and pulling across my cheekbones. I would never do this again - it did not help my headaches."

• sno...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 12, 2019

For Urinary Frequency "We were going on a 90-day trip, and I was used to doing PTNS (Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation) every month. I decided to try the Botox so I would not have a problem on my trip. Actually, if I had read some of the horror stories on this blog, then I probably would have opted out. I am glad that I had it done. The procedure was painful. Then the twinges afterwards were like mild labor contractions for about 12 hours. Tylenol helped a lot. I told my husband that I would never have it done again. After the initial twinges and a few days, it worked, and it has been amazing for 6 1/2 months, and it is still working. I feel free from rushing to the bathroom. I am now just wondering when it will wear off. I will definitely be doing it again and just taking Tylenol that first day. Just know that it hurts, then it cramps for a while, but to me it is so worth it. I am hoping I can go without another treatment for 8 or 9 months."

• sno...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 12, 2019

For Urinary Frequency "We were going on a 90-day trip, and I was used to doing PTNS (Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation) every month. I decided to try the Botox so I would not have a problem on my trip. Actually, if I had read some of the horror stories on this blog, then I probably would have opted out. I am glad that I had it done. The procedure was painful. Then the twinges afterwards were like mild labor contractions for about 12 hours. Tylenol helped a lot. I told my husband that I would never have it done again. After the initial twinges and a few days, it worked, and it has been amazing for 6 1/2 months, and it is still working. I feel free from rushing to the bathroom. I am now just wondering when it will wear off. I will definitely be doing it again and just taking Tylenol that first day. Just know that it hurts, then it cramps for a while, but to me it is so worth it. I am hoping I can go without another treatment for 8 or 9 months."

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 23, 2018

For Urinary Frequency "I had the Botox on 11/30, and on 12/10, I had to go to the doctor because my bladder felt so full, and I could not urinate enough. They gave me catheters to cath myself, which was hard for me to do, I always got at least 500 mL. I got 650 mL back, called the doctor, and was told to go to the ER and get a Foley catheter. I went back to the doctor on 12/19 and had the Foley removed. The next morning, I had to cath myself again, I could only urinate a little. I went back to the doctor, after urinating, they had a 650 mL urine return, and they put another Foley catheter in. I am in so much pain today I could just cry. I have had 2 UTIs since the procedure and am just miserable."

• Kel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 22, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I have been a chronic migraine sufferer since a child. I have tried everything and still maintain my daily medication. However, my specialist decided to refer me to another neurologist who performed Botox, and I thought, why not! I was scared, and it was painful, yes, but the results for me are amazing: no more stints in the hospital, no daily headaches, but yes, still migraines, however, they no longer last 3-4 days, and that is awesome. I can handle and maintain a migraine that lasts 24 hours and only occurs twice a week, yay. That's a bonus. Going back tonight for my second round, hoping for a better outcome this time around :)"