Tomorrow will be one month since Bennett had Botox. I wish I could report good news. Unfortunately, the Botox has had a minimal effect. Jim, myself, our pediatrician and physiotherapist are all in agreement - the Botox has done very little. There may have been a very slight improvement in that his right leg isn't as tight. We may also be really stretching to try and see something - anything. We had hoped for more - frankly, we expected more but I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. I've been reading about Botox for a long time now and it really seems to be a mixed bag. Our experience although disappointing is certainly not unusual.
So, what's next? I don't know. I'm assuming he'll be reassessed at some point but I'm not sure what the doctor will suggest. Perhaps he'll want to do more injections. I don't know and once again I don't know what we'll do. It's a hard decision to make - it's painful, expensive and not without risk. All that for something we may have achieved with extra stretching.
The effects of the Botox are supposed to last for about 3 months. Hopefully we'll see a bit more improvement - I'll keep you updated.
5 comments:
He is adorable!
Sorry to read about your disappointment in the treatment. He has so many functional motor skills. I'm sure you will make the best decision for him in the future.
He is adorable! Barbara
What a great picture. I bet no one would believe this picture was taken in mid March in Northern Ontario!
Re Botox - I too share your disappointment - and we live in hope that in combination with stretching, Bennett will increase his flexibilitiy.
The good news - he has a very flexible and loving heart!
Much love to you all,
Auntie Bonnie
Again with that hat..... it's beyond adorable!!
Sorry to hear that the Botox didn't really work but everytime I see Bennett I'm just thrilled to see how well he's walking (and running) around! It wasn't that long ago that you weren't sure that would happen.....
Live happily in the moment Barbara, or YOU'LL be the one needing Botox for all your worry wrinkles! (Not that a woman of your young age would have any... I'm just sayin....)
So cute! If it makes you feel better, I had botox when I was about Bennett's age and it didn't do anything either, but as I grew, other options became available. He will get there! :)
Barbara - he is adorable isn't he! It's always hard to know whether you're making the right decision but we can only do our best each time.
Bonnie - We're lucky in that Bennett still has full range of motion in his arm and leg on his affected side. Many kids with CP at his age don't. It will be interesting to see what the doctor recommends next. I don't see his "tone" as a huge problem that is affecting function for him right now. It makes me really not interested in injecting poison into his small body again.
Kara - of course I don't have a wrinkle on my middle-aged complexion! Ha! I would need more than Botox to erase the effects of my worrying!! You're right though - I'm not worrying that much about the Botox thing. He's doing well physically - it's the last thing on my worry list these days.
Erin - thanks - your input is so valuable to me! Your absolutely correct - other options will come up.
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