[fionab]

I know botox shots don't fall under the heading of "SCS & Pain pumps" but wanted to pass on an update for those of you who, like me, want to be educated as much as possible about all pain relieving possibilities and treatments. Forgive me if I repeat myself from prior posts...you know how getting older can work on your memory (and not to mention the rum one consumes...oh, oh...here I go again)

While I do have the 2 SCS's, there's still pain in my shoulders and upper back that the units just can't cover. So my dr. has started giving me trigger point shots in the painful areas, using a combination of Kenalog (a steroid) and lidocaine. While they do help, it's only temporary, so we are proceeding with Botox.

Insurance has approved it and my botox shots are set up for mid Nov., after I come back from vacation (will have to be on pain meds. for vacation but am sooo looking forward to getting away!)

I'm only getting a couple of shots to see how I tolerate the botox as I'm allergic to so many meds. and don't want to get all the shots I really need and then wish I'd just tested with a couple of shots if it doesn't go well. So will get some shots one week and if all goes well, will go back in following week for rest of shots. The dr. will be ordering two vials, each holds 100 units of botox. I had to make sure he didn't order one vial of 200 units, because once opened it has to all be used within 3-4 hrs. I think each 100 units will give me two shots, not sure.

I asked the dr. "where" I'd be getting the shots and he said "wherever you hurt...it tends to spread out some, so will cover more than just the area where you get the shots." May take up to 3 weeks to get full affect but is supposed to gradually affect the nerves so when the muscle tries to go into a spasm, it can't. Hopefully it'll work and last the 3 to 4 months it's supposed to. Don't know yet what the cost will be, but probably around $1500-$2000 for all the shots. Don't know yet what my out of pocket will be, but if it helps for that long then I think it'll be worth paying.

If you want to hear how the botox journey goes, let me know (esp. you Rae, since you're the top dog here), since it really isn't a "SCS & Pain Pump" issue and I'm wondering if I can discuss it on this forum

Fiona

Hi Fiona
Good to hear from you again.......so Botox it is then ???!! wow......Im intrigued. Will definitely want to hear how that one goes for you.

I have the SCS for my lower back and legs, but like that it doesnt help my back but is good for my legs. Now Im really wanting to know how it works where it actually hurts. As you say you dont get full relief so your Dr will be injection in the 'area' where you have the pain and the SCS doesnt reach.

I used to have Ketamin and Lidocaine infusions intravenously.......I never found them great at all. I used to hate the feeling I got from them while it was entering my bloodstream. After about 8 rounds of them, one a month, I asked that they stop them as I didnt find them of any benefit.

But now the Botox does sound good...the fact that it spreads out too.!!!

Go and have a wonderful vacation, as you say well needed. We took a weeks holiday in Portugal at the end of August and it was just fantastic. The heat!! wonderful as Im sure you know good ol' Ireland bypasses the Summer season for some reason

Please keep us all updated about your Botox......Im sure no one will mind that you are writing it on this section of the forum....isnt it just another bow to your arrow

Take care

Jackie

Originally Posted by fionab

I know botox shots don't fall under the heading of "SCS & Pain pumps" but wanted to pass on an update for those of you who, like me, want to be educated as much as possible about all pain relieving possibilities and treatments. Forgive me if I repeat myself from prior posts...you know how getting older can work on your memory (and not to mention the rum one consumes...oh, oh...here I go again)

While I do have the 2 SCS's, there's still pain in my shoulders and upper back that the units just can't cover. So my dr. has started giving me trigger point shots in the painful areas, using a combination of Kenalog (a steroid) and lidocaine. While they do help, it's only temporary, so we are proceeding with Botox.

Insurance has approved it and my botox shots are set up for mid Nov., after I come back from vacation (will have to be on pain meds. for vacation but am sooo looking forward to getting away!)

I'm only getting a couple of shots to see how I tolerate the botox as I'm allergic to so many meds. and don't want to get all the shots I really need and then wish I'd just tested with a couple of shots if it doesn't go well. So will get some shots one week and if all goes well, will go back in following week for rest of shots. The dr. will be ordering two vials, each holds 100 units of botox. I had to make sure he didn't order one vial of 200 units, because once opened it has to all be used within 3-4 hrs. I think each 100 units will give me two shots, not sure.

I asked the dr. "where" I'd be getting the shots and he said "wherever you hurt...it tends to spread out some, so will cover more than just the area where you get the shots." May take up to 3 weeks to get full affect but is supposed to gradually affect the nerves so when the muscle tries to go into a spasm, it can't. Hopefully it'll work and last the 3 to 4 months it's supposed to. Don't know yet what the cost will be, but probably around $1500-$2000 for all the shots. Don't know yet what my out of pocket will be, but if it helps for that long then I think it'll be worth paying.

If you want to hear how the botox journey goes, let me know (esp. you Rae, since you're the top dog here), since it really isn't a "SCS & Pain Pump" issue and I'm wondering if I can discuss it on this forum

Fiona

[Mark56]

May your vacation be the rest you need, the break from routine your mind craves, and the restorative of strength you may call upon as you return and proceed with botox shots. That part sounds frightening to me, but then I am kind of a wuss when it comes to injecting substances into the bod. Hoping all of the best!

Prayin,
Mark56

[aussiemom]

I've done the Botox. Once it was 13 shots. I'm able to go about 6 months, then need it again. My current pain doc doesn't do them. Darn! It is extremly expensive, about $5,000. during the injections, my nose would start running, like I was catching a cold. Lasted ahoy 30 min, then fine. For me, the relief was immediate.

Good luck!

[Mark56]

Originally Posted by aussiemom

I've done the Botox. Once it was 13 shots. I'm able to go about 6 months, then need it again. My current pain doc doesn't do them. Darn! It is extremly expensive, about $5,000. during the injections, my nose would start running, like I was catching a cold. Lasted ahoy 30 min, then fine. For me, the relief was immediate.

Good luck!

Thank you, Barb, for your input!! Amazing the relief was so...... NOW! Here is hoping Fiona feels the same!

Prayin,
Mark56

[Rrae]

Count me in too, Fiona! I'm prayin for ya and am very anxious to hear how you'll be doing after the injections.

I'm glad Barb was able to share her experience and I'm real glad you are sharing this with us on the SCS forum!l

Rae