How do Botox injections help?

What are Botox injections?

They are injections of botulinum toxin into muscles affected by dystonia (involuntary muscle spasms)
The botulinum toxin causes temporary weakness in the injected muscles and stops the spasms
1-3 injections with a small needle are made in each muscle affected by dystonia
It is important that a trained doctor give the Botox shots
- Some use an electromyography (EMG) to locate the overactive muscles and to measure and record muscle activity

Once Botox is injected, it starts working within a few days
Botox provides relief from dystonia for several months before it needs to be injected again
Individuals who respond well to Botox can continue to use it for many years without side effects
Some individuals who had previous success with Botox may begin to experience a decrease in effectiveness over time
- The nature and/or pattern of muscle contractions may change
- An individual may make antibodies that “fight” the toxin and decrease its effectiveness

Since Botox must be injected into each affected muscle, it should considered when an individual has dystonia affecting a specific body part, such as a hand
It is also effective in individuals who have most of their dystonia symptoms controlled by other medications/methods but need extra treatment for a particular area

Possible side effects of Botox:
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Flu-like symptoms
- Soreness at the injection site
- All of these side effects are temporary and typically clear up on their own
- Adjusting the dosage or site of injection may help avoid these side effects
Resistance to Botox can develop
- Treatment may lose its effectiveness over time
- The body may make antibodies that “fight” the toxin and decreases its effectiveness