Real Patient Stories
Hear from Gina and MaryRae, who are treating their Cervical Dystonia with BOTOX®.
Transcript
USE
BOTOX® (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to treat the abnormal head position and neck pain that happens with cervical dystonia (CD) in people 16 years and older.
Please see Important Safety Information, including Boxed Warning, in this video.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
BOTOX® may cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Get medical help right away if you have any of these problems any time (hours to weeks) after injection of BOTOX®:
- Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing, due to weakening of associated muscles, can be severe and result in loss of life. You are at the highest risk if these problems are pre-existing before injection. Swallowing problems may last for several months.
- Spread of toxin effects. The effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas away from the injection site and cause serious symptoms including: loss of strength and all-over muscle weakness, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, and trouble swallowing.
Please see additional Important Safety Information in this video.
My name is Gina, and I’m a working professional at a hospital in Lansing, Michigan, and I also run the Mid-Michigan dystonia group. In March of 2007, just two months after falling down my stairs at home, I started having stiffness and pain in my neck that would worsen throughout each day. By evening, my neck would be so hunched up that my clavicle seemed nearly vertical, and I was in a lot of pain. I went to see my primary care physician and that began the journey of searching for a diagnosis. I visited twelve doctors, including two surgeons, in 18 months. I was afraid I’d have neck stiffness and neck pain for the rest of my life. When we finally figured out the diagnosis with Cervical Dystonia, I began crying with relief to have an answer for my condition. I was prescribed BOTOX® by the physician at the pain management clinic that ultimately diagnosed my Cervical Dystonia. At that time, I didn’t know anything about Cervical Dystonia or BOTOX®. I started doing a lot of my own research to really understand the condition, and BOTOX® as a treatment, including how it works and common side effects such as difficulty swallowing, upper respiratory infection, neck pain, and headache. I also learned how to feel comfortable talking to my physician about BOTOX®. I would encourage others to do the same, to understand if it is a good option for treating your Cervical Dystonia. After treatment with BOTOX® injections with various physicians, I began looking for a movement disorder specialist and ended up with a wonderful doctor who is a leader in his field. Having my injections with a knowledgeable, experienced specialist really changed my treatment experience. My movement disorder specialist is great about keeping me on track, making sure I have my injections every three months so he can continue tailoring the dose and muscle selection to my specific needs. Right now I’m at 220 Units and I keep a journal so I can discuss with my movement disorder specialist what seems to work, what doesn’t. And he’s very good about asking for my feedback to help determine the best treatment areas and dosages for me, and whether or not I’m experiencing side effects. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition. We’re all different and we need to be advocates for our own bodies. What motivates me? Being stubborn I guess. I’m not one to stop. I wanted answers and I fought for everything in order to find the correct diagnosis. And I see results from injections so I’m sticking with BOTOX® treatment. Being an advocate for others with Cervical Dystonia has become my passion. I’m dedicating my life to raising awareness and advocating so others don’t feel like I did when I was first diagnosed. I even went back to school to get my master’s degree in psychology with a specialty in health behaviors. I want to educate others on what Cervical Dystonia is, how it affects each individual physically and psychologically. I think everything happens for a reason and I think I was meant to have this so I can in turn help others. I would absolutely tell other people to talk to their doctors about BOTOX®. Don’t give up right away if you don’t see results immediately. For me, it took a little time before I saw results for BOTOX® and I learned to work with my doctor. Find a movement disorder specialist. Their expertise is really important to your care. Communicate with your doctor. Keep a journal of your injection treatments. This will help you and your doctor determine the best areas to treat and the right dosage.
USE
BOTOX® (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to treat the abnormal head position and neck pain that happens with cervical dystonia (CD) in people 16 years and older.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
BOTOX may cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Get medical help right away if you have any of these problems any time (hours to weeks) after injection of BOTOX:
- Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing, due to weakening of associated muscles, can be severe and result in loss of life. You are at the highest risk if these problems are preexisting before injection. Swallowing problems may last for several months.
- Spread of toxin effects. The effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas away from the injection site and cause serious symptoms, including loss of strength and all-over muscle weakness; double vision; blurred vision; drooping eyelids; hoarseness or change or loss of voice; trouble saying words clearly; loss of bladder control; trouble breathing; and trouble swallowing.
BOTOX may cause loss of strength or general muscle weakness, vision problems, or dizziness within hours to weeks of receiving BOTOX. If this happens, do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities.
Do not receive BOTOX if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in BOTOX (see Medication Guide for ingredients); had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product such as Myobloc® (rimabotulinumtoxinB), Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA), or Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA); have a skin infection at the planned injection site.
The dose of BOTOX is not the same as, or comparable to, another botulinum toxin product.
Serious and/or immediate allergic reactions have been reported, including itching; rash; red, itchy welts; wheezing; asthma symptoms; dizziness; or feeling faint. Get medical help right away if you experience symptoms; further injection of BOTOX should be discontinued.
Tell your doctor about all your muscle or nerve conditions, such as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome, as you may be at increased risk of serious side effects, including difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing from typical doses of BOTOX.
Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you have or have had bleeding problems; have plans to have surgery; had surgery on your face; have weakness of forehead muscles, trouble raising your eyebrows, drooping eyelids, and any other abnormal facial change; are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (it is not known if BOTOX can harm your unborn baby); are breastfeeding or plan to (it is not known if BOTOX passes into breast milk).
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Using BOTOX with certain other medicines may cause serious side effects. Do not start any new medicines until you have told your doctor that you have received BOTOX in the past.
Tell your doctor if you received any other botulinum toxin product in the last 4 months; have received injections of botulinum toxin such as Myobloc®, Dysport®, or Xeomin® in the past (tell your doctor exactly which product you received); have recently received an antibiotic by injection; take muscle relaxants; take an allergy or cold medicine; take a sleep medicine; take aspirin-like products or blood thinners.
Other side effects of BOTOX include dry mouth; discomfort or pain at the injection site; tiredness; headache; neck pain; eye problems such as double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight, drooping eyelids, swelling of your eyelids, and dry eyes; drooping eyebrows; and upper respiratory tract infection.
For more information, refer to the Medication Guide or talk with your doctor.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see BOTOX® full Product Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, available on this website or at https://www.rxabbvie.com/pdf/botox_pi.pdf
If you are having difficulty paying for your medicine, AbbVie may be able to help. Visit AbbVie.com/myAbbVieAssist to learn more.
I’m so glad I reached out to my movement disorder specialist. He is truly my partner in care for Cervical Dystonia.
Gina was diagnosed with Cervical Dystonia in 2007 after experiencing abnormal head position and neck pain. She treats her Cervical Dystonia with BOTOX® and is a working professional at a hospital in Michigan.
Transcript
USE
BOTOX® (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to treat the abnormal head position and neck pain that happens with cervical dystonia (CD) in people 16 years and older.
Please see Important Safety Information, including Boxed Warning, in this video.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
BOTOX® may cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Get medical help right away if you have any of these problems any time (hours to weeks) after injection of BOTOX®:
- Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing, due to weakening of associated muscles, can be severe and result in loss of life. You are at the highest risk if these problems are pre-existing before injection. Swallowing problems may last for several months.
- Spread of toxin effects. The effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas away from the injection site and cause serious symptoms including: loss of strength and all-over muscle weakness, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, and trouble swallowing.
Please see additional Important Safety Information in this video.
I’m MaryRae. I was born and raised in Pittsburgh. I attended college here in Pennsylvania as well. After graduation, I went to work as a financial analyst and trader. In 2009, I went on disability and got involved with the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation and became very involved in advocacy and awareness. I have a service dog, Blue, who takes up the majority of my hobby time, and I also really enjoy traveling. The onset of my Cervical Dystonia symptoms occurred many years ago. I broke my back in freshman year of college and progressively experienced stiffness and pain up my shoulder into my neck area. The Cervical Dystonia symptoms worsened over time. The initial diagnosis was definitely startling for me. I think, especially being so young at the time, and thinking is this something I'm going to have to deal with for the rest of my life? It can be a devastating diagnosis for many people. I was fortunate to be referred quickly to a doctor who is well versed in Cervical Dystonia. First, we tried a few other options—different oral medications and braces—but soon I had started on BOTOX® for my Cervical Dystonia. Before starting BOTOX®, my doctor and I spoke about the benefits and risks of treatment. She helped me to understand the common side effects, such as difficulty swallowing, upper respiratory infection, neck pain, and headache, so that I can make an informed decision. My mom and I also went into research mode, reading all about Cervical Dystonia treatments such as BOTOX® injections. I see my doctor every three months, so she can continue to tailor the dose and muscle selections according to my condition. I had a long relationship with my original doctor. She had a wealth of knowledge that I was able to share in. I think I’ve tried everything for my Cervical Dystonia, all the oral medications, different injections, acupuncture, chiropractic, Chinese medicine, craniosacral therapy, the gamut.
I worked with my doctor through it all to find the right therapies for me. It’s important to work with a specialist on appropriate treatment, including the option of BOTOX®. I’ve been blessed to have an awesome group of friends and family who have supported me throughout this journey. Now, learning and spreading the word about Cervical Dystonia is one of my biggest passions. To others, I would say, talk to your doctor about BOTOX®. It worked for me. With Cervical Dystonia, I always say you have to live it to learn it. Try different treatments, seek out new options, see if you experience any side effects until you find out what works best for you. Living with Cervical Dystonia can be a difficult road, but you can have a good life. Cervical Dystonia doesn’t have to define who you are.
USE
BOTOX® (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to treat the abnormal head position and neck pain that happens with cervical dystonia (CD) in people 16 years and older.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
BOTOX may cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Get medical help right away if you have any of these problems any time (hours to weeks) after injection of BOTOX:
- Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing, due to weakening of associated muscles, can be severe and result in loss of life. You are at the highest risk if these problems are preexisting before injection. Swallowing problems may last for several months.
- Spread of toxin effects. The effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas away from the injection site and cause serious symptoms, including loss of strength and all-over muscle weakness; double vision; blurred vision; drooping eyelids; hoarseness or change or loss of voice; trouble saying words clearly; loss of bladder control; trouble breathing; and trouble swallowing.
BOTOX may cause loss of strength or general muscle weakness, vision problems, or dizziness within hours to weeks of receiving BOTOX. If this happens, do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities.
Do not receive BOTOX if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in BOTOX (see Medication Guide for ingredients); had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product such as Myobloc® (rimabotulinumtoxinB), Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA), or Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA); have a skin infection at the planned injection site.
The dose of BOTOX is not the same as, or comparable to, another botulinum toxin product.
Serious and/or immediate allergic reactions have been reported, including itching; rash; red, itchy welts; wheezing; asthma symptoms; dizziness; or feeling faint. Get medical help right away if you experience symptoms; further injection of BOTOX should be discontinued.
Tell your doctor about all your muscle or nerve conditions, such as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome, as you may be at increased risk of serious side effects, including difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing from typical doses of BOTOX.
Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you have or have had bleeding problems; have plans to have surgery; had surgery on your face; have weakness of forehead muscles, trouble raising your eyebrows, drooping eyelids, and any other abnormal facial change; are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (it is not known if BOTOX can harm your unborn baby); are breastfeeding or plan to (it is not known if BOTOX passes into breast milk).
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Using BOTOX with certain other medicines may cause serious side effects. Do not start any new medicines until you have told your doctor that you have received BOTOX in the past.
Tell your doctor if you received any other botulinum toxin product in the last 4 months; have received injections of botulinum toxin such as Myobloc®, Dysport®, or Xeomin® in the past (tell your doctor exactly which product you received); have recently received an antibiotic by injection; take muscle relaxants; take an allergy or cold medicine; take a sleep medicine; take aspirin-like products or blood thinners.
Other side effects of BOTOX include dry mouth; discomfort or pain at the injection site; tiredness; headache; neck pain; eye problems such as double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight, drooping eyelids, swelling of your eyelids, and dry eyes; drooping eyebrows; and upper respiratory tract infection.
For more information, refer to the Medication Guide or talk with your doctor.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see BOTOX® full Product Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, available on this website or at https://www.rxabbvie.com/pdf/botox_pi.pdf
If you are having difficulty paying for your medicine, AbbVie may be able to help. Visit AbbVie.com/myAbbVieAssist to learn more.
MaryRae was diagnosed with Cervical Dystonia after experiencing abnormal head position and neck pain, due to a back injury during her freshman year of college. MaryRae treats her Cervical Dystonia with BOTOX® and is an advocate for the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation.
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