To ask if Botox made you ill?

Yep, absolutely. If prescribed on the nhs, the pros will have been weighed up carefully against the cons in each case. And as we are becoming more aware of the possible complications, that risk assessment process becomes more robust, so can be sure that if its being recommended by a specialist consultant, then it's for a really good reason.

Every medical procedure comes with risks, in most cases the benefits outweigh the risks, but everyone should be made aware of those so can make an informed choice.
The frustrating this, as evidenced by this thread, is that people don't seem to be made aware of these by the practitioner delivering the botox and seem to think its risk free, when it's not. These practitioners are failing in their professional responsibilities if they don't give you access to the relevant information on the procedure they are delivering.

*INcompletely understood potential downsides!

I'm not @Bushmillsbabe , but am guessing that it's about weighing up the risks and benefits, @Gensola . If you have medical reasons, the upsides probably outweigh the possible - not universal - downsides (which are incompletely understood). For lots of people, that would presumably apply to cosmetic uses as well - if it matters enough to you, it's worth the risk of the completely understood potential downsides. And that's absolutely fine. I suppose I just find it helpful that sometimes people remind us of these potential downsides, because sometimes all you hear are the positives (well, for me, anyway). I hope your medical situation is OK, and that the posts about botox downsides haven't worried you unduly - it is a very widely used procedure, and presumably the NHS had good reason for you to have it.

Ok so one of those papers refers to massive doses in rats …

@Bushmillsbabe that’s so strange because I get Botox on the NHS for medical reasons and have had it many many more times than 3 times in the same area. Proof of what you are saying please as it wouldn’t be good to think our NHS had caused me permanent injury or harm

(@Bushmillsbabe I have a friend with myasthenia gravis, and the idea of even a small chance of voluntarily inducing symptoms which could be clinically confused with it is not appealing).

Just want to say thanks for posting those papers, @Bushmillsbabe . The second one, in particular, which directly relates to cosmetic use, seems worth reading for people considering starting it (as I sometimes do - before I realise I can't be arsed).

OP, no never been sick from botox and I have been getting it 2-3 times a year for the last 8 years.

For those getting confused about the top up 2 weeks later comment, I think it is when an aesthetician is doing the procedure. My sister goes back after 2 weeks, for a check up/top up.

I pay extra for a fully qualified Dr and do not need to go back after 2 weeks.

No youve picked up a bug.

Interesting @Bushmillsbabe

Not in the more than a decade since I started getting it.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5677119/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2467981X23000215

Not necessarily, but the benefits have to be weighed up really carefully to evaluate whether the potential for long term muscle damage is worth the risk. For some children it may reduce their need for complex orthopaedic surgery, which also carries its own risks. Generally we would look at targeting the doses when most needed, and use other tone modifying medications, orthotics, casting and physio to help where possible. 10 years ago we were using it really often, but as more and more research is coming to light, we are more judicious in our use of it

I only get a slight headache for about an hour.

@Bushmillsbabe does that mean that a child who gets Botox treatment for whatever reason, can only have it three times then is cut off?

Yes, you would think a consultant would know what they're talking about. Surprising then that you clearly don't.

As a paediatric neurology consultant who injects botox for medical reasons, after 20 years medical training, I think I might have an idea about how, why and when botox works 😂

Bushmillsbabe is talking nonsense. The 2 week check-up/top-up is standard practice including from dermatologists, not just beauticians etc. It is included in the price - why would derms offer this if it wasn't necessary/safe? As for the only 3 times into one muscle, I don't know where that's come from. Botox is totally safe over the long term!

Hopefully just a bug. If your treatment was done by a qualified medical practitioner, nurse, Dr, Dentist, Dental hygienist you're safer. I'd go to a Dentist personally as they are experts on the face structure and muscles. Never go to a 'beautician' for botox or fillers.

Anyone who gets Botox isn't really in it to get it three times then never again...

Two week top up is completely normal. They use the minimum amount possible so it may need tweaking after it has started to work. It works within a few days.

Medically it makes absolutely no sense to do a top up at 2 weeks. Botox takes a few weeks to start working, and reaches peak effectiveness at around 6-8 weeks post injection, then wearing off gradually after 3-4 months.

There is no way they can tell if you 'need' more after 2 weeks. They could possibly tell at around 6 weeks.
However, given that you should only have it 3 times ever into the same muscle, using up 2 of those 3 in a fortnight seems crazy

Unfortunately the cosmetic botox injectors rarely tell people about the risks from repeated injections, and will happily repeat it as many times as people will pay for it.

The long term damage includes muscle atrophy, fatty deposits in the muscles, a permenant change in the muscle structure

A top up after 2 weeks is normal ( they use the smallest possible dose which could work so as not to over do you, if its not had the required effect they top up a bit- also can take differently in each side so the appointment is for fine balancing too ). You might not need any more however.

Not had any adverse reaction ever personally. I have to have it for severe sweating, so big-ish amounts.

There is an awful stomach bug doing the rounds currently. May be something or nothing.