Fairly good this time.

It's been about a month since my last Botox shots, and things are going fairly well. Not as good as I'd hoped, but there's been noticeable improvement.

Although I still can't turn my head to the left when I walk, I can hold it mostly straight. It still pulls back, but not quite as much as before. I'm pain-free, too, except for very minor aches from time to time. That's fairly typical after Botox.

I'm not getting as much "muscle relaxing" from the Botox, but as long as it still works at least a little, and I keep getting it mostly - or entirely - on the left side (where I need it most), it should be good.

Botox time

Got more than a dozen Botox shots this morning. I'm not sure how many more because I wasn't paying that much attention. All the shots were on the left side of my neck this time, so this treatment should turn out better.

Th only problem was with the transportation company that the insurance company uses. They supposedly have a good reputation, but since the driver I had twice talked on his cell phone while he was driving both times, even though I filed a complaint the first time, I don't trust them anymore. Guess I'll be taking the bus to my Botox appointments from now on - or until we get another car.

More Botox

Got about 14 shots of Botox a couple of days ago - mostly on the left side of my neck (the correct side).I'll know if it worked in 2 weeks. The deviation should be noticeably improved by then. Hopefully.

My netbook battery is almost dead. Gotta go.

So far, so good - and bad

Although the dystonia is just as bad, I'm at least getting some pain relief. The only way to get just a little dystonia relief is to do lots of stretching exercises at least 4 times a day, posture exercises twice a day, and stretch as often as possible throughout the day. Who has that kind of time? If I can't get significant relief from the constant pulling of my neck and shoulder muscles, I'll have to make the time for more and more exercising, along with all the other things I have to do - like my job, housework, yardwork, having a life.

And now for something completely different...

Because of some of the "questionable" websites some comments are connected to, I'm going to have to reject all comments from posters whose comments (in any language) are linked to any kind of "dating" sites. I'd like people of all ages to read this blog without the risk of having kids going to a site that may not be appropriate for them. I hope everyone will understand why this is necessary.

Also, since I have to go to Starbucks to get online, my updates won't be as often as I'd like them to be.

What a mess

So I'm sitting at Starbucks, drinking their coffee, using their free (with purchase) WiFi, and wondering why my Dr still can't get my Botox right after 5 years! My neck is a mess - so much weakness in the back of my neck that I have trouble holding my head up (especially when I'm working), too much weakness on the right side of my neck (my head droops to the left in addition to being pulled back and to the left), and not enough weakness on the left side of my neck to stop the constant pulling. I'm actually worse now, and it's interfering with my ability to do my job. My next follow-up should be interesting.

I wish I had internet service at home. Going to Starbucks every time I want to get online isn't cheap, and I only work part-time.

BTW, I still haven't been able to watch the video that was posted in a past comment. :( Don't know if it's a problem with my netbook or the WiFi. O_o

A little off-topic

I've been getting several comments that appear as symbols. Unfortunately, I can't read them or translate them, so I have no idea what they say. Does anyone know what they say, or is there a way to have them translated? Thanks in advance. :)

Since Botox takes about 2 weeks to take full effect, I'll post about my shots then.

It just keeps getting worse

My Dr asked for approval for more Botox, so we're just waiting or the "OK". I can't believe how bad my dystonia is now. It gets a little worse after each treatment. My neck is really twisted up now. At least I shouldn't have to wait too long for my next treatment. I'm going to ask my Dr to do inject most of it on the left side (my head turns to the right, among other things), because (apparently) that's the way it should be done.

The pain can be bad at times, but it doesn't last long. Since I usually work just 4 hours a day, it's just mildly annoying. All I need to do is stretch my neck for a few seconds, and I'm good to go - for a while. :)

I really should do more stretching and posture exercises, but there are times when I just get sick and tired of exercising several times a day. At least I do some exercises twice a day every day. I need to do more, though. I also need to do more research into what other people with cervical dystonia are doing. There's bound to be someone who found something useful. Since the only way I can get online now is by going to Starbucks for their free WiFi (2 hours with a food or drink purchase), I can't get online as often as I need to. Oh well. I'll post after my next treatment, if not sooner.