Spasticity and Splints - Part 7: Botox (1)

As I mentioned before, I had Botox for my right hand and shoulder to relax the muscles. I have had this procedure since I was 18 years old. Botox is a muscle relaxant. Botox is a toxin and its full name is Botulim Toxin, and most people know it to be cosmetic; for example, when people use it to get rid of wrinkles in their face. When I first started having Botox injections, we joked around by saying that I need to bring some back for the older people I know, but I’m not sure if it’s the same type.

In my eyes, the procedure itself is relatively straightforward, but there are many complications to go with it. Each time I have Botox, they warn me about the side-effects… One of them is anaphylaxis; this is an allergic reaction that presents a number of symptoms from a rash to more serious symptoms like swelling of the tongue and throat, which can lead to your respiratory system shutting down if untreated.

The other thing that the doctor warns me about is puncturing of the lung. I have Botox in my right shoulder, as well as my hand. There is aways a risk of the needle going in the wrong place, but with my involuntary movements, it is considered high risk that the injection goes in the wrong place and affects my lung.

When I have my Botox, two people have to hold me down while the doctor administers the drug. I have to give consent for them to restrain me. The muscles which control the fingers are in the forearm, so to have Botox for my fingers, mum held my right arm – she had to position my arm so that my ulna was facing upwards, with one of her hands holding my wrist and the other holding just below my elbow. She held my arm against the armrest of my wheelchair, so that my arm couldn’t move. Then the doctor cleaned and sprayed the area with a cold spray to numb it a bit – this is completely optional. Then the she inserted the needle while one person flexed my fingers a bit to make sure that the needle was in the right place.

When the doctor was happy it was in the correct place, she injected the Botox into my muscle and removed the needle. Finally, we put pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding. We do the same with my shoulder. The doctor calls it oozing – I’m not sure why, but I’m guessing it’s the different rate of the blood flow.