Frequently Asked Questions About Botox For Fibromyalgia
Given the use of Botox (Botulinum toxin type A) is a relatively new treatment for fibromyalgia, patients often have a number of questions about the procedure and the effect that it will have. Here are the most frequently asked questions, so that patients can feel at ease with this procedure.
Why Is Botox Being Recommended?
If your pain consultant feels that you would benefit from Botox injections to ease pain and spasms, then it will be recommended to you. If you have frequent spasms and you are in considerable pain, then you should ask whether or not you could be considered for Botox.
How Does Botox Work?
Botox works by effectively weakening and causing muscles to become paralysed, which means that they do not feel any pain. When it is used as a beauty treatment it is used to stop the forehead for example from ‘wrinkling’ because the muscles have effectively been prevented from working. It is the same process when Botox is used in the treatment of fibromyalgia.
Will The Botox Injection Be Painful?
There may be slight pain felt, simply because the injection will be administered to muscles that may already be painful and quite tender. However pain levels are moderate and certainly not unbearable.
Will Pain Relief Be Immediate?
The pain will usually not subside for a week or up to 9 days after the Botox has been administered.
Is The Pain Relief Permanent?
The levels of pain relief experienced by patients varies, according to the severity of their condition etc, but it is usual for patients to feel significant levels of pain reduction for up to 4 months. So although it is not a permanent means of controlling pain, it is effective as a long term way of reducing pain.
Can The Procedure Be Repeated?
Yes, if patients have found an initial Botox injection to be useful, then it can be repeated again, usually after 4 months or so, but it is not advisable to have the injections done too frequently or else the body can become immune to the Botox.
Is The Procedure Safe?
The procedure is safe due to the fact that there are only very limited levels of Botox used. Occasionally patients may experience some flu like symptoms afterwards, but this is quite rare. There are no significant risks associated with Botox. In some cases, where there is an underlying medical condition other than fibromyalgia, it will not be possible to carry out a Botox injection, but this will be decided by your pain consultant.
Will The Botox Injection Cure All My Symptoms?
Sadly no, Botox can only deal with the pain that you may be experiencing and the muscle spasms that you may have. It cannot deal with any other symptoms. However the pain relief that is afforded can really enhance someone’s quality of life, so although other symptoms may still exist, patients usually feel so much better that life is greatly improved.
