Posted by crazy777girl on September 15, 2006, at 13:51:25
In reply to Re: Botox for Depression? YES, Botox » crazy777girl, posted by laima on September 15, 2006, at 10:10:23
> Allergan puts a hologram on every bottle of Botox cosmetic, but the real concern is finding a good Dr. If you put the effort there - you have no worries about the quality of product used.
The official website explains the contraindications, and you have to sign a waiver each time you're injected, stating that you've read & understand them.
I'm now dreaming of the day I get a Rx from my pdoc for Botox injections & insurance actually covers it. I know - dream on. In the meantime - not looking mean & angry is good enough for me!
Botox is also being used for a host of other issues, currently not FDA approved, but successful nonetheless. It's being injected into sweat glands of people who sweat profusely, to stop the embarasment. It's helping women w/ bladder issues, people w/ migraines, Parkinsons, carpel tunnel, etc.
The future may hold some surprising applications for Botox.
In several months - I am going to be implanted w/ a VNS. I'm sure when it began its life as a tool for controlling epilepsy, no one thought it would ever be fully FDA approved for helping those of us with treatment resistant depression, either.
A
> Good point about not keeping secrets from doctors- I did so (somewhat) because there is that stereotype of "mentally unstable woman wants 'cosmetic work'"--and because my dermatologist's office literature recommends against cosmetic procedures for patients with "serious mental health issues or during a crisis". So I didn't want to waltz in and ask for "botox to cure my depression". Just, "I want to look less stressed". When the waiver asked if I was using any mediction, I wrote "selegeline/Emsam form"- but that didn't cause any alarm.
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> Another point about why not to bargain hunt with botox- I was thinking about how last year (or the year before?) there was a little crisis that the first vat of the botox was being depleted, so the company was hurridly working on perfecting their second vat, and getting that second vat thoroughly tested for safety and getting IT fda approved. So it's my understanding/impression, all of the vials of the brand name, genuine botox are coming out of these two completely tested vats- vat 2 now, I guess. They're not just cranking it out--so many of the horror stories are thanks to people getting bargains with homemade/counterfit botox which often hasn't exactly been neutralized of live botulism, is the "wrong" strength, etc. As for "frozen"- my derm related a story that some (unwell?) patients have been known to doctor shop during the few days it takes to "kick in"- getting themselves pathologically injected over and over and over again.
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> As for "marketing ploy"--since one needs less and less botox over time if they use it regularly- wouldn't it be more profitable to push something that one didn't ever stop using?
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> Doctors are not exactly running out of uses for botox...
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> > I've kept mine a secret, I didn't want to appear frivolous, after all the money I spend on psych meds (that don't work.)
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> > My daughter's wedding prompted me to try to erase my perma-angry look, and I know I gave it to myself, by the perma-frown I've had stuck to my face for the last couple of years, and I have no wrinkles elsewhere, too young for them, I guess.
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> > I'm still bipolar, still take meds, they still don't work, but after the Botox - I had a lift that was almost spiritual.
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> > I didn't read this article till today, and hadn't heard any of the reports mentioned here. I just assumed it was due to the removal of the anger and pain I'd permanantly etched on my forehead for me & all to see, as a forever there reminder of my otherwise 'invisible' condition.
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> > As my most recent bout w/ treatment resistant major depression was triggered situationally, that line had a name on it, and I felt it being erased, erased an ugly, stressful part of my life that I could move on without.
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> > My Dr knows my full medical history, all psych meds & conditions included. I do not suggest ever hiding any medical info from any physician. I also do not suggect cost-cutting when you're considering having something injecting near optical nerves that could cause droopy eyelids or possibly worse, if the Dr is not an expert Dermatologist or Opthamologist.
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> > It's interesting that I came here today, only to find studies to corroborate my personal experience w/ my own (secret) Botox.
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> > And btw - it doesn't freeze your face, anyone who says that just doesn't understand what Botox is or what it does. You can make any expression, it just prevents you for 3 - 6 months from scrunching up your eye area so tight that deep lines appear between them & permanantly furrow there.
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> > Eventually you may be able to go as long as 9 months between treatments, if you continue maintenance.
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> > The use of Botox as an adjunct treatment for depression is not being marketed anywhere, formally or informally. So no, this is not a marketing ploy, nor an off-shelf use. If you want Botox, you'll have to be a good candidate for it, unless you'd like to take the risk of going to a shady Dr.
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> > Read about it the official Botox website, and don't take chances w/ your eyesight or worse.
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> > I couldn't be happier. I would (will) do it again.
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> > > > Have you heard of this? Love Phillipa Botox cures depression when injected in the brow area.
> > > >
> > > > http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/20/AR2006052000979.html
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> > > Phillipa, that is just so bizzare hon. Do you think it could be a pharmacutical con job/push to make more money, I have to admit I smell a rat, and you wouldn't even be able to tell if they felt sad because their faces wouldn't show any signs of emotion, LOL. I call it permantely surprised Jane syndrome, how on earth could you look depressed when your face is set like concrete. hehe, luv ya Paul. you have to see the funny side of that one!!
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poster:crazy777girl
thread:684854
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060909/msgs/686233.html