Posted by: chaanz ®
05/23/2007, 09:14:46
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There should be some noticeable affect, whether it's vocal or a reactive affect to the botox, such as aspirating liquids when you swallow (if you're not careful). Whatever it may be, there should be something to let you know. (unless the doc missed).
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Posted by: Steve G ®
05/23/2007, 10:18:04
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Hi Choked,I had my first botox injection 12 days ago on Friday the 11th. I didn't notice any change in voice until 3 days later on that Monday morning the 14th when I woke, and then I was REAL breathy (my injection was 2.5 units bilateral for AD). I'm still kind of breathy here on the 12th day but I am starting to regain some "traction" as far as getting a little less breathy. I've talked to my speech therapist and we think we'll lower the dose next time to shorten the breathy stage. Her statement to me was that a lower dose should shorten the breathy period but NOT decrease the amount of time it is effective. Getting to that optimal dosage is really a trial and error basis as you say. Hang in there as I'm sure the botox will kick in here shortly. Especially here at first, it may help to keep a journal as to your voice status every few days and then you can work with your doctor to adjust future dosages as necessary. Good luck and keep us informed. Steve G
sgrand1057@lycos.com
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Posted by: iris ®
05/23/2007, 10:37:58
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Hi thereMy first botox I noticed a change the same evening and the next day was really good which was only 16 hours later. I was very soft and breathy sounding but no spasm which was such a great relief. My second botox 3 weeks ago produced nothing and three weeks on still no change. I am going beck in a couple of weeks to try again. My first was 2.5 bilaterally but this time I am having 3.5 bilaterally.
Maybe your dose was not high enough or maybe like me they missed the spot.
You may still have a good result. Everyone is different - my ENT told me I would not notice any change for about a week but it was instant so don't give up hope yet. I hope you have a good result but like me - if at first you dont succeed etc.etc. Regards
Iris
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Posted by: Laurie ®
05/23/2007, 18:12:02
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Hi, there,
With my first injection 7 years ago it took 3 days to notice a change (actually by day 4 all my SD symptoms were gone). These days, it's usually within 24-48 hours and on rare occasions even 12-16 hours. If at a week, there is no change in your voice, you can be sure it did not work.But at 24 hours, only some people notice results. so don't start worrying just yet. Laurie
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Posted by: ChokedUp ®
05/23/2007, 21:23:38
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Thanks for your replies. It's been 32 hours and so far, no response. I know I need to be patient, but it is hard to believe I'd have no effects whatsoever by now (breathiness, swallowing, etc.). This is my maiden voyage so I do not know, maybe I'll wake up in the morning to something new. I hope so. Anything new at this point would be relief. I can't imagine they completely missed or that my dose was that small (1.0 units bilaterally). Have any of you experienced NOTHING at 32 hours post?
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Posted by: saradshort ®
05/24/2007, 10:46:52
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With my first injection it took about 48 hours to notice any change. Then what I noticed was that I had lost some of my range when singing. I didn't notice a change in my speaking voice for 72 hours. Then, it was free of spasms but very low and gravelly sounding, like I had laryngitis. From what I hear it's normal for the first injection to take longer than subsequent injections to start working.
Hang in there,
Sara
AD/SD
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Posted by: David Barton ®
05/24/2007, 16:33:08
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That was my experience too. A wait of about 48 hours after my first shot before my vocal cords loosened up. Although this was 16 years ago I still remember the euphoria!Subsequent shots have worked a bit faster - maybe because I've never let the SD get back to baseline. David Barton (AD/SD, North Shore, NZ)
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Posted by: The Godfather ®
05/24/2007, 16:12:16
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For me at 2.5 each, it took 48 hours also to really kick in. But even at at 36 hours I could tell things where changing.
Did you have the injection from the outside of the throat with the aid of the echolocator, or from the scope down your throat?
From all I've read here, It does seem to be quite an art for these Dr's to find the right spot.
Don't get discouraged, its a great feeling when it works.
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Posted by: ChokedUp ®
05/25/2007, 10:06:00
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Hi there. Thanks for all of your experiences. They're so helpful.
To answer the question about how the injection was done, yes, through my neck using an EMG to locate the muscles.
My ENT, Neurologist, and SLP were all present.
As an update, it has now been just short of 72 hours (but who's counting??!!) with no response whatsoever. I spoke with my SLP last night and questioned whether they could have missed. She doubts it as she watched the EMG spike as the vocal cords were located. But, as I understand it, if the needle just hits the tip of the muscle it will register positively when the Botox is not actually getting in.
It is very hard for me to believe anything will happen now.
I'm really bummed because as you all know, there is so much anticipation for the relief that might come. I'm not deterred. I believe we just need to work to get it right. I just hope I'm not one of the rare people for whom Botox does not work.
Of all of the outcomes I contemplated, I never considered that it wouldn't work at all. Back to square one!
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Posted by: Laurie ®
05/25/2007, 20:22:54
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Hi, again,I just want to ensure you that it's possible the injection missed the spot even with what may have seemed like a good EMG signal. I've had a few misses over the years (and they are always very disappointing!). It's not unheard of. Of course, for your first injection it's very disappointing! But hopefully you're MD will be willing to let you come back sometime very soon for a follow-up. For the few missed injections I've had, I returned w/in days and then received great results. I'd say it's almost impossible to be immune to Botox on your first try! It should work in the right hands. Next time, I'd try a higher dose and hopefully your MD is willing to see you soon if you wish. Good luck,
Laurie
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Posted by: Paula B ®
05/26/2007, 14:20:27
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Hi,I also had only 1.0 units bilaterally for my first botox injection 2 years ago. It didn't work for me either. I thought it was working, when, for days I kept breathing in, like when you yawn, or after a cry. I thought it was very refreshing. I called my doctor, and he recognized that the shot didn't work, and I went back for another 1 unit to both sides. So, I recieved 1 and a half units bilaterally. That worked! Perhaps you just didn't get enough of a dosage to work properly. Don't give up! Ask your Docs if you can get another injection sooner rather than later. While you still have your first shot in your system. I think it was around 2 and a half weeks till the second injection.. Good Luck, Paula
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