A Texas woman shared her horrific health experience on social media, which eventually landed her in the ICU. Alicia Hallock said she almost died after getting Botox injections to deal with her migraines, People Magazine reported.
Hallock, who is in her 30s, claimed that after receiving the shots, she was partially paralyzed and suffered from dysphagia, a disorder that makes it difficult to swallow and can lead to choking on saliva.
She added that the injections left her neck muscles so paralyzed that she couldn’t even lift her head. In addition, Hallock relied on a feeding tube for nutrients
“I ended up having a rare complication. I was taken to the ICU to be constantly monitored and put 6 tubes down my throat to get all the mucus stuck in my lungs and throat,” the mother of three wrote in an Instagram post last month.
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What is dysphagia?
Dysphagia is a condition in which a person has difficulty swallowing. It can be painful and swallowing is not even possible in some cases.
According to experts, prolonged dysphagia can be a serious medical issue that requires immediate medical attention.
Dysphagia can affect people of any age, but is more common in the elderly. Swallowing problems can be caused by a variety of circumstances and treatment depends entirely on the cause.
Hallock is discharged after 18 days of treatment
Hallock continued to update her followers on her medical condition throughout her recovery. In one of the videos, she removed her neck to show the difficulties she was going through to move her head.
He was discharged from hospital after 18 days of treatment and is now recovering at home.
Describing her feelings as ‘scared and terrified’ more than ever, she said: ‘I could have died. There were a lot of heartwarming moments that made me realize how lucky I was to get help when I did.”
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Noting that people experience problems with Botox, including some or all of the symptoms he had experienced, Hallock, who also has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, said having multiple symptoms at once is extremely unusual. Therefore, the hospital decided to do a “case study for me,” he said.
It remains to be known whether Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a genetic disease that affects blood vessel walls, skin and joints, affected her body’s response to Botox injections.
Internet users are expressing concerns about botox treatment
Since sharing her story on social media, Hallock has received an outpouring of support and well wishes from her followers. However, some have even expressed concerns about Botox treatment.
“Your beautiful!! Keep fighting. “And beautiful as ever…” as your husband said,” one user commented on her Instagram post.
“I wish you a speedy and full recovery. Best wishes,” added another.
Meanwhile, some users have also spoken about the side effects of the Botox treatment and how it has made their lives ‘miserable’.
“They tried to get me to get Botox injections for my debilitating chronic migraines, but the horrible side effects I get from the medication I can’t and won’t. You’re not the only one I’ve seen this happen to, and it won’t be the last. I have seen permanent damage to others that cannot be reversed and people should be very aware of the side effects. So glad to see you are getting better and yours was temporary. Much love,” one user wrote.
“This happened to me last September. I had extreme head/neck weakness as well as generalized general muscle weakness. It was awful! I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions as my recovery is a few months ahead of you. Prayers for patience and a speedy recovery,” shouted another.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Botox treatment for chronic migraines, which are defined as headaches that last 15 or more days each month, according to the American Migraine Foundation. Botox is injected into the muscles of the face, head and neck to block pain pathways.
However, if the toxin penetrates beyond the intended treatment area, it can cause botulism, which can lead to gradual muscle paralysis, according to the FDA.
