Botox for medical reasons

[Saltedcaramel2016]

Just wondering if anyone has had botox injections for any form of tremor and how successful it was?

I have being diagnosed with a palatal tremor (have had it for nearly a year) which is not thought to have a serious cause. However, it is really annoying and affecting me on a day to day basis.

The only solution being offered is to have botox injections straight into the muscles on each side of my palate. I am a bit afraid of this incase it affects my swallowing. It only lasts 3-4 months (good or bad effects) so if it is awful I don't have to have it again.

I haven't completely lost hope of the tremor disappearing on its own yet but am thinking of the botox option if I still have it in 6 months to a years time.

[CMOTDibbler]

I've had medical botox for dystonia. I had it 4 times, and then it was like my nerves had had a break and it hasn't come back.
I'd say it was worth a try and see how it goes

[LivingInMidnight]

I've had it in my masseter muscle for a different reason, is that the same muscle they'll use for you? If it is, it doesn't affect swallowing.

[Saltedcaramel2016]

Thanks for your replies.

CMOT - that is reassuring. Where did they do the injection for you?

Living- I think you replied to my TMJ thread a while back (this problem started alongside my jaw issues but I didn't realise that is what it was at the time!).

The injection would be in the palate (I think in the tensor veli palatini and/or the levator veli palatini muscles). I have looked on utube and it looks like you can get symptoms such as nasely speech and swallowing issues but these are thought to wear off quickly ie by a week (if done correctly, if done wrong you could need a feeding tube until it wears off!!!).

I think the main thing bothering me is with the tremor is the feeling of tightness in my throat although the noise and soreness around my face are annoying too. So the thought that this could make me have swallowing difficulties freaks me out. Plus as it is rare not many doctors do this procedure!!! I have an appointment with ENT who would administer this so I am sure they will tell me more.

[CMOTDibbler]

Mine was in my arm - dystonia was a component of a larger injury for me, so my bad fingers were pointing one way and the dystonic finger pointed at right angles to the back of my hand.
The neurology clinic did one big botox session, so I met people having all sorts of places injected

[Saltedcaramel2016]

Thanks CMOT, it is reassuring that botox gets used so regularly now. I think the positioning of the injection for me is a bit worrying especially the potential side affects. I don't really want to live with this forever but am not giving up hope that it will go away yet!! It is nice to know there is something I can try.

[LivingInMidnight]

I remember having this debate with myself before my first injection. I was undecided when I went to what I thought was an appointment to talk about it only to find my dr with a bottle of Botox and a needle . It's definitely a weird experience and I was weirdly relieved when 'my' smile came back as it was wearing off, despite the fact that it worked for the pain!

I would definitely wait and see how confident you feel after the ENT appointment. I think it's worth a try though. They kept telling me how expensive it was so doubt they'd do it if it would make you feel worse overall.

[Saltedcaramel2016]

Thanks Living. I have the ENT appointment in about 6 weeks and I expect there will be more of a wait after that as I think they are planning to put a camera down my nose as well!

It is strange I have had a really bad cold this week and on the worst day the tremor stopped as I think my palate was so swollen the muscle couldn't move - I wonder if the botox would have a similar effect. The cold is improving so unfortunately the tremor is getting worse again but not going at full pelt yet - was hoping it might go!

[LivingInMidnight]

I think it would have driven me insane by now, it can't be easy to tune it out! Could you swallow ok when it couldn't move?

[Believerofhope]

Boots has made my Insomnia worse. Somebody help