A woman from Georgia is sharing her story about the “cost of beauty” after a routine procedure left her with severe health issues. Amanda Wolaver wants to caution others about the potential risks of a well-known cosmetic treatment.
Amanda experienced paralysis and was confined to her bed, and despite seeking medical advice, doctors initially dismissed her symptoms as temporary.
At 33, Amanda first noticed a headache, assuming it would be resolved with sleep. However, when she awoke unable to move, she sought emergency medical attention.
Despite a CT scan, a doctor concluded that she had no serious medical issues, attributing her condition to a severe migraine.
Over a span of 16 months, Amanda’s health deteriorated considerably.
Before these complications, she had been receiving anti-wrinkle injections similar to Botox for a decade without any problems.
However, following one session, she began to experience extreme headaches.
As her condition became more severe, Amanda found daily activities like showering and applying makeup increasingly painful and challenging.
It wasn’t until Amanda had spent $30,000 on medical tests that a neurologist diagnosed her with iatrogenic botulism.
This rare neuromuscular disorder is linked to botulinum neurotoxins, the active component in Botox. According to the CDC, it can occur if an excessive amount of botulinum toxin is administered for cosmetic purposes.
The toxin affects the nervous system, potentially leading to breathing difficulties, muscle paralysis, or even death.
An MRI further revealed that Amanda had suffered transient ischemic attack (TIA) strokes, often referred to as mini-strokes.
While specific treatment does not exist, Amanda is experiencing a slow recovery as her body gradually detoxifies.
Discussing her situation, Amanda stated: “It’s almost been two years and I still don’t feel normal. Never did I think this might happen to me.
“It was the worst decision I’ve ever made. I couldn’t be the mother I wanted for my three children.”
Amanda expressed gratitude towards her husband Josh for his support during this challenging period and is now dedicated to educating others about the possible dangers.
She remarked: “They told me that it was probably just a severe migraine.
“But soon, my body felt like the floor was being ripped out from underneath me and that I’d collapse.
“My dizziness became so severe that I had to take Xanax to knock me out to sleep.
“I thought I was slowly dying.”
Despite ongoing daily pain, Amanda noted: “I don’t care about my wrinkles at all now and I’m getting more active and able to do more things with my family.
“But now I want to create more awareness about the dangers of botulinum neurotoxins.
“Hopefully, I can help prevent this from happening to others.”