A long time patient called me for a n appointment the other day. I hadnt spoken to her for a while. When I asked how she was doing, I heard her voice crackle and my heart sunk. She said, "you wont be happy with what I am going to tell you.." I thought , what could she tell me? Maybe she's been eating lots of sugar or binge drinking. She said, she had been feeling badly about herself, about aging, and the line in her forehead was really bothering her. so, she got a botox injection. Within 24 hours her entire body went into a whirlwind.
She became symptomatic with many various kinds of reactions in her body, and yes, included in these numerous signs and symptoms was her bladder. She said her husband was furious with her for doing the botox and hurting herself in this way. This patient has been a wonderful example of a very successful patient. She has lived a great life, had a baby, been able to have normal intercourse, and has been able to enjoy feeling really healthy for many years now. She asked me how bad the damage is, she wondered, how long it would take to feel well again.
I think this is a good lesson for all of us. When a person works hard to achieve good health--good balance in his or her body, we should remember to really treasure it. We should remember to honor our bodies and do things to it only that are consistent with making it stronger, healthier, and better balanced and not put toxins into it.
I have another patient who is now dealing with chronic facial swelling after having received another kind of beauty treatment with broad band light treatment. She has been devastated by her reaction to this treatment. While it did not effect her bladder, it is of little consolation to her bc her face is what shows the inflammatory responsiveness of her IC condition to this particular treatment.
People always ask me when can I go back to drinking alcohol?, when can I go back to eating processed sugar? When can I......and I always answer-Everyone's body is different, and I don't know what the recipe for illness is for each person. One needs to I suppose test the waters a bit to see what his or her tolerance is for things. And, some people can drink some alcohol, while others probably cannot tolerate any. We are each different. However, there are certain things that just are not a good idea. Botox is a lethal toxin- and while it has been formulated in a "safe" injectable form, it probably is something that is wise to reconsider before subjecting one's body to it. And, this is true for many types of aesthetic type treatments. I am not saying that all will end in disaster, but strongly consider what the treatment is before subjecting your body to the disastrous possibilities that may ensue from the treatment.
I am sure this patient will return to the way she was prior to the treatment. But, suffering unnecessarily is a shame. And, it may not be before the effects of her botox treatment have worn off!
Comments
Wow - Matia thank you for posting this + Question
Since you said "certain things are just not a good idea," when you have time could you possibly give us a list of those things to definitely avoid even after recovery (beyond sticking to your diet rules) w/ basic guidelines for use? i.e. "Lasers = bad. Don't do at all." "Chlorinated swimming pools = not great. Ok if occasional / quick dips." I understand that every body is different so there may not be black/white answers here. But it'd be great to have some barometers for the future to help us start grieving, er, preparing for what we'll need to do without. It would also be helpful to us now in case we're doing/planning something we're not aware is bad.
And are there also gray-area things that may be ok? i.e. for me, hair straightening is a big deal and I really want to be able to do it again, but I have no clue how "bad" it is on a scale, and isn't it kind of hard to "test the waters" (as you suggest) with things like these where you kind of have to either try it or not? I'd be devastated if I had gotten well and then it made me sick all over again. Yet if it's really not going to do damage and is only twice a year, it would save me tremendous time & let's face it as a female would make me feel good.
Thank you!!
maybe
This is a great post Lisa! How about if we come up with a long list of things that have been wondering about but have yet to ask cause many of these things are either can't bear to hear the truth yet or sort of far off for some of us but I am curious if tattoos are a forever no no and if I'll ever be able to wear essential oils again. and I am sure there are probably exceptions cause everyone is different and people's tolerence levels are different but I am interested in what the general experience is for most people in dealing with these possibly temporary or permanent things on our lists.is this a good idea? I'm going to think of more.Mary
Hi Lisa. I don't think there
Hi Lisa. I don't think there is a gray area. If you don't think something is a good idea thene it is not. Whene i got better i would ask Matia if i can have a drink at a party as if i did not know that it was bad for me. We know what is good for us and what is not but sometimes it is hard to say no. I also like my hair straight so i do it for a party or just a few days the natural way and the rest of the time i am curly but it is a small price to pay for being pain free. I know now that if i think that what i want to do is not a good idea i definitly avoid it.
Lisa and Stella
Basically, I think it depends on the person BUT, there are certain things that just are not a good idea in my opinion. For example, botox is a TOXIN-I think it is never a good idea. Whereas, I have had people get breast enhancements, and, perhaps this isnt a good idea either, but, I think, if done with saline bags, may be just fine. A nose job for example-OK there are anesthetics involved and antibiotics, but, this is recoverable--and, if the pros outweigh the cons, for example, the person is plagued by feeling badly about herself, then perhaps it is very worth it. But the timing has to be right-so that the person can go through the procedure well. I have also seen people get many kinds of laser and it not be good, but perhaps there are times that it is fine. Just remember-think about it, research it, and please talk to me about it too, bc maybe I will have experience with what you are considering to shed a little extra perspective on the situation.