Well, well, this is a surprise.....Botox injections have produced symptoms of botulism....the FDA isn't saying much yet.....this is breaking news on CNN right now....there have been deaths reported among children (usually using this for medical reasons to relieve muscle spasm) and hospitalizations among adults. Botox is widely used for cosmetic reasons, and also has applications for relief of muscle spasms. I suspect the problems are more frequent in the muscle spasm group as likely the dosage was higher and the injection probably deeper?? However, apparently the FDA has decided to issue this bulletin, but hasn't said for sure, that Botox has produced mild botulism, only the symptoms, there of.

I do happen to know a woman who was overdosed on this and her misery was unreal....she went in for severe tension headaches and got the wrong dosage. I lost touch with her, so I don't know how it ended but after several months she was still wearing a soft collar and unable to hold up her head very well.

My wrinkles just a got a whole lot better looking--heh, heh, so did I... and my foot and hand cramps...well, I think I will take a different approach, even if it is pharmaceutical, it won't be anything too new, nor botox.

here is a link to the cnn report:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/02/08....ap/index.html

My daughter is a news anchor for one of the network stations. People in her line of work are feeling increased pressure to have botox work done, due to High Definition broadcasting, which can show every wrinkle and line that you have...

At 39, she is very beautiful, and still looks young to me. The lines I see are few. I sure don't like thinking that she, or anyone else, for that matter, might have to resort to this treatment at some point, in order to keep a job...

Cripes... Remember the good old days when stuff like this didn't seem to happen, when you felt good if your doctor said "whatever" was "safe." Or did we just not hear about problems???

Cathie

Cathie,

Your daughter can use one of those "tightening marvels". such as Sudden Change.

I tried it once. It's made from egg whites (albumin).

I'll never forget. I was meeting my friends and I wanted to look 10 years younger. I was 50 at the time, so I wanted to look 40.

Worked fine. All the stuff under my eyes went away. I looked great. My skin was tight.

I walked into the room and said hi (with a big smile), and the whole thing cracked. Everybody started getting hysterical, including me). I had to go to the bathroom and wash my face.

But they can shoot her through special filters, if they think they want her to look a bit younger. And I completely understand how sharp a high definition picture can be. I was in the tv store the other day (I had no idea how sharp a high def picture can be and I wanted to see for myself). I saw the guy's hair follicle on the tv screen. Who wants to see hair follicle's???

It's a shame we are a youth oriented society. I watch NIP/TUCK and I get hysterical.

My husband's first cousin died last year at the age of 47 after having a face lift in Costa Rica. Some complications of the anasthesia.

Alan looked at me and said 'I know you, if you won the lottery, you'd do an extreme makeover on yourself". I said 'yeah, you DO know me".

But after hearing all these things, people dying, and getting reactions, well, I just clean my face and use a good moisturizer.

I can't imagine being 39 and thinking you look old for the camera.

I'm 60 and feel 30!!!

If only I looked it!!!!!! lol

HI everyone:

All along I have been nervous about these botox injections to smooth out wrinkles. After all, it is a poison and nothing to fool with in my opinion. I wouldn't want it in my body in any location.

I can understand how TV and movie personalities find it necessary to remove any signs of aging, but at what cost? I wish that in this country we could get over this obsession with looking younger than we really are. I have seen some mighty handsome faces with many wrinkles, which add to the beauty of the face in many people.

Actually, I find the look of having had botox injections, not attractive. Not having the usual facial lines makes people look blank - completely different and unlike their usual appearance. I don't like the look at all. I can always tell when there have been botox injections. Ugh.

Shirley H.

I'm still trying to figure out how Susan Lucci, who is my age, can look so darn good in those closeups.???

I mean, I know she's a little bitty thing and weighs about 100 lbs, but honestly, when that camera gets up close, well they either shoot her through 10 filters, or she has had the best plastic surgeon in town. Or Botox???

Anything that 'smooths' out wrinkles (other than surgery to stretch the skin out) has to be either an irritant or a elasticity agent. The irritant causes the area to be 'puffy' to different degrees and gives the appearance of a 'wonder' treatment. This irritation gradually diminishes, hence, daily or weekly ...or whatever - treatments. The elasticity agent makes the skin more flexible and an application of a tightening agent will then make wrinkles seem to dissapear - also a temporary treatment. Neither can be good for you. Aging produces wrinkles. Unless it is severe, it is a 'badge of courage'. A sign of maturity. A look of distinction.

Sign of Maturity, Sign of distinction!!!

If that' true, tell me why so many men are leaving their wives for younger versions???? Hah???? lol

If I had the moola, I'd run to the guys on Nip/Tuck.

A little nip here and a little tuck there, well, just look at Joan Rivers!!

I don't think she looks half bad for her age (what is she 75 or so??)

But then again, look at Jocylene Wildenstein. They call her the Bride of Wildenstein. I never knew she was french until I heard her accent.

Good Lord!!!

vain per se, never had to be? I'd always 'looked' ten +/- years my age UNTIL I got this PN stuff! Now I look my age or 10+ years older...Sigh.

At times my pains were so bad that I had considered either nerve severing or botox or other nerve blocks...but my affected areas were too wide-spread. When I'd had cancer surgery, I specifically asked the surgeon to sever nerves there! I'd enough Nerve pain elsewhere, thank you! Guess what? Those pesky nerves are trying to regrow in spite of a top surgeon! Durn.

I can understand the desire or need by some to try experimental procedures. To me, they are true pioneers who DO risk their lives to try and ease constant pains. I understand their delemmas and the decisions they must make before consent. My only fear about Botox and kids is about how well the parents were informed about the risks and consequences. As an adult, I am glad that I'm capable and able to research other views on such procedures, but if I were a parent with a kid in such pains....I'm sure I'd not be as clear thinking as needed under the circumstances.

About 'aging'? I prefer to 'go' gracefully. Anything I do is either going to be to keep my insides and my outsides healthy and protected. Goodness knows those meds that help us do take tolls in other ways. One just has to be careful, cautious, aware and alert. Not to mention diligent. As few 'artificial ingredients' in my life as possible...thank you very much! - j

Well, if I win the lotto, I am not undergoing surgery or getting injections...

I am buying a house in the desert and a horse with no name.