Botox and Severe Pain: What Users Say

• Vai...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 5, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I had a horrific response to the Botox I had for migraines. I ended up 5 days in the ER after the most recent set of injections. Severe heart palpitations, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, feeling faint, weak, dizzy, rash all over my body, muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, tightness in my throat, severe dry mouth, tingling in my hands, feet, limbs, etc. I will NEVER get these injections again. There have been days I can barely get up, so severely fatigued and weak. Stabbing random pains, difficulty sleeping, chest tightness and pain, back, head, and neck pain, it has completely halted my way of daily life. Severely puffy eyelids and one is droopy. It has been almost a month since injections, and I am still nowhere near normal. I was told the only thing they can offer me is life support at the hospital if I stop breathing on my own. This has been terrifying. It has caused sudden extreme anxiety, which I didn't have at all before. My neurologist made it sound like the worst that could happen is a droopy eyelid."

• Mr ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2018

For Urinary Incontinence "Please stay well clear of this horrible drug. The hospital never told me the risks, they said, 'You'll be fine, it will help you.' Botox in the bladder is pure torture, regardless of needing it. The reviews speak for themselves, and I wish I had read all these 1-star reviews before I had the procedure done, it's ruined my life and has only been one month. I was advised it would help my condition, it's made my life worse. Anyone reading this, do not have this procedure done regardless of your condition, it will torture you slowly. I can only pray that this horrible drug will wear off in time, every day is a struggle. The healthcare providers haven't the slightest clue, they are meant to help people, not make them worse, and they should have explained the 7 risks, not just said, 'Sign the consent form, you'll be okay.' Stay well clear of Botox, it will make your life hell."

• Cre...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 13, 2016

For Cervical Dystonia "Thank you for the opportunity to share my experience. I was diagnosed with cervical dystonia. I have been taking the shots for three years. I receive these shots every three months. The pain from these shots is very intense. I believe I receive seven injections per visit. I have tried to ice the area, but it does not help. I have had PT, as well as acupuncture, neither worked. I find the shots help for about three months. I like the results, but don't like the pain. The doctor says it is due to the tension of the muscles. Anyone else having this problem? Thanks for listening."

• GHC...
• April 6, 2015

For Urinary Frequency "My brother had Botox done last year for bladder problems with MS. It has been the worst year since being diagnosed 20 years ago. He wasn't told he would need to use a catheter, and he has severe vision problems. He has had constant UTIs, terrible pain from using catheters, and developed hemorrhoids after having Botox done. Now Botox has worn off, and he still needs catheters and is in pain. He has been told he'll need to have more Botox so he won't feel the pain. Complete disaster and very costly trips to specialists."

• 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!!!!"

• MO ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "Have had migraines for years, ave 8 - 14/mth. Received 3 vials of Botox 3 weeks ago in forehead, temples, base of skull, neck, trapezius, paraspinal muscles. My head was fine. The first week, my neck and back muscles were so sore, they hurt to the touch. It was as if the muscles not paralyzed were competing for the jobs of those that were. I have never felt such pain. Each morning, different muscles would be in pain. The diffuse, large muscle pain has improved somewhat now, 3 weeks out, but my neck muscles feel as if they cannot support my head. It causes me severe pain to bend forward to read, eat, try to pick things up. I am going to try PT this week. Also have had 7 migraines in 3 weeks since treatments. Very sad patient here!"

• Ala...
• December 28, 2018

For Urinary Frequency "I had Botox a year and a half ago for OAB, and it has never worn off. I’m in constant agony. I have to self-catheterize nearly every hour or two, sometimes more. There are times I’m cathetering every 20 minutes if I’ve had a drink. Whatever goes into my bladder has to come out right away, or I am in agony. It’s ruined my life, wish I had never gotten it done!!"

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 30, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "First round of Botox was life-changing for my migraines; I couldn’t be happier. That is until the second round of Botox. Since then I’ve had severe pain, pressure, and burning behind my eyes that doesn’t go away. I’m in pain every second that I’m awake. I have been to an ophthalmologist to check my vision and eye pressure, and everything is fine. I’ve had an MRI done, and everything is fine. My neurologist gave me steroids, but they didn’t help, not even a bit. He doesn’t believe it’s the Botox since severe eye pain is not a common side effect, and they are pushing towards a third round of Botox."

• rkb...
• May 15, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "Botox was my last resort after everything else failed me. A week after my first treatment, I'm having nonstop headaches, shooting pains in my head, my neck and shoulders hurt more than ever, I have no energy, and I had nausea, dizziness, and stomach cramps. I wish I had never gotten this."

• Fan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 21, 2019

For Urinary Frequency "I had this done by a urologist over a year ago, and that's the worst thing I could have ever done because it backfired on me. I have multiple sclerosis, and I was told by the doctor because I tinkled a little bit when I coughed or sneezed that this would be a great thing for me, so I wanted to do that because I didn't like the sneezing and cough problem. Two days later, after having the injection, I was in the ER with severe pain, like I had the worst bladder infection a person would not want, and then they gave me a suppository, and that helped, but that didn't last long. When I went back to the doctor who did this Botox, all he could say was, 'I'm sorry it didn't work for you,' and it ruined my bladder that now I have to wear briefs, and this is really out of control. So, I would not recommend anyone because it didn't work for me, and for the ones that did work for, I say great for you..."

• Lea...
• December 30, 2015

For Urinary Frequency "I have read all the posts, and they all sound very similar. I will tell you I had the problem since I was a small child, but it was chalked up as being a bed wetter. No treatment. Got married, and symptoms not only worsened with intercourse, but were treated as bladder infections instead of severe IC (was never diagnosed until many, many years later). After having three children, the spasms were so intense with the severe pain of IC I thought I would lose my mind. Pads were my best friend for the most part, but I would not be able to control the urine with the intense spasms, so I had a lot of wetting accidents even after taking every med created to treat the spasms to no avail. The vicious cycle became quite depressing. Always making sure I knew where..."

• Sas...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 17, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "Had migraines for 20 years and used Botox for about 11 times now. At first, seemed to really help but wore off after 2 months. Now I am having ear problems, dizziness, and severe pain on the side of the head and neck. I think I am going to stop Botox treatment."

• Cas...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 12, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "Before Botox, I would get around 17-23 migraines a month. Not headaches, but true migraines where you vomit and can’t function. The Botox shots worked great for preventing migraines and reducing pain. I went from 17 to 2 migraines a month, it was incredible! At first, it was the best thing that ever happened to me, but unfortunately, the crippling cost and intense side effect pain made me stop. It began positive and slowly grew into a big negative. The side effects from Botox were manageable, but after two years, they grew to be unbearable. I started getting intense, massive knots in my neck, jaw, and shoulders that weekly massages and muscle relaxers couldn’t alleviate. It became a terrible chronic pain, and because of the $1,500 out-of-pocket cost for 200 units every three months (with health insurance covering the rest), it just wasn’t a long-term option. We reduced the units, but the damage was done. If you're seriously considering Botox, try it for a year and see!"

• Cas...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 12, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "Before Botox, I would get around 17-23 migraines a month. Not headaches, but true migraines where you vomit and can’t function. The Botox shots worked great for preventing migraines and reducing pain. I went from 17 to 2 migraines a month, it was incredible! At first, it was the best thing that ever happened to me, but unfortunately, the crippling cost and intense side effect pain made me stop. It began positive and slowly grew into a big negative. The side effects from Botox were manageable, but after two years, they grew to be unbearable. I started getting intense, massive knots in my neck, jaw, and shoulders that weekly massages and muscle relaxers couldn’t alleviate. It became a terrible chronic pain, and because of the $1,500 out-of-pocket cost for 200 units every three months (with health insurance covering the rest), it just wasn’t a long-term option. We reduced the units, but the damage was done. If you're seriously considering Botox, try it for a year and see!"

• JDa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2020

For Cervical Dystonia "On November 26, 2020, I received Botox injections for cervical dystonia. Two days after the injections, my head felt like it was too heavy to hold up. My neck, shoulder, and right scapula experienced extreme pain, more than I had before. Now, 26 days later, the right side of my neck and shoulder is still very sore, unable to keep up my normal routine. I will not do this treatment again, and hopefully once this stuff wears off, this pain will dissipate. Wish it had been a better experience."

• Ski...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2019

For Chronic Spasticity "Had anal sphincter dysfunction (the failure of normal relaxation of pelvic floor muscles during attempting to poop) for years, unable to voluntarily poop. But I worked out a regime that worked for me, but it was very time-consuming, so I could only work part-time. After pressure financially and sick and tired of this, and a consultant recommending Botox, I went ahead. Worst thing I've ever done. I wasn't told any side effects, the exact opposite was told it was easy! It would wear off in a couple of months. One year, seven months later, I'm housebound, lost my job, and having to get benefits and am in excruciating pain. I've had every side effect under the sun, and nobody wants to know. This was done through the NHS and it's ruined my life. Don't get this done... If it goes badly wrong, which it has, it's far worse than what you originally had to deal with, and all I've been told is they don't know, I might get better and that I'm the same as I was.....! Think twice.. Had I seen this site and known the risks, I wouldn't have gone ahead."