A woman has claimed she almost died after receiving Botox injections that left her partially paralyzed and choking on her own saliva.
Alicia Hallock, 36, from Texas, said on social media that she had been receiving injections of the infamous anti-wrinkle drug to treat her migraines for almost five years.
In what turned out to be an incredibly rare complication, the muscle-freezing drug spread to her neck muscles, leaving her dependent on a brace to keep her head straight — and unable to move the area.
The drug caused her throat muscles to malfunction, limiting her ability to swallow. This led to a dangerous build-up of mucus in her lungs and throat, causing her to choke and stop breathing.
Had there not been prompt treatment, doctors said she would have died.
Mrs Hallock had an extreme reaction to Botox injections for migraines after the Botox spread to the muscles in her neck
Ms Hallock in November 2023, after receiving an IV for her chronic illnesses
“I ended up having a rare complication,” she said in an Instagram post written from her hospital bed in late February.
‘It spread to the muscles in my neck and now it has caused a lot of problems.
‘My eyelids are droopy, which causes a lot of pressure, blurred vision and dizziness. The muscles in my neck are virtually paralyzed, meaning I can’t lift my own head.’
The mother of three’s complications also left her unable to swallow sips of water or saliva.
Mrs. Hallockone author, said the injections, which she received from the same neurological clinic, had helped her migraines.
Although known for its cosmetic uses, Botox can also be effective in preventing migraines.
When a migraine strikes, the body releases substances called neurotransmitters and molecules that are linked to pain.
Botox disrupts the pain signals caused by these substances when injected into the muscles around the body head and neck.
This is thought to be because the drug is absorbed by the nerves in the area involved in transmitting these signals to and from the brain.
Ms Hallock’s alarming symptoms came after the Botox was injected for the first time into a specific muscle in her neck.
However, doctors aren’t sure why the Botox spread or why she suddenly reacted so poorly.
Mrs Hallock started feeling symptoms such as a stiff neck within three days of the injections, which gradually worsened over the following week.
She said she ‘stupidly’ waited until day nine to go to hospital and was immediately admitted to intensive care.
“I had six tubes inserted into my throat to remove all the mucus stuck in my lungs and throat,” she told her Instagram followers.
On February 18, she said, “They tried to suction me again last night because there was so much mucus in there, and I temporarily stopped breathing.
“They had to wrap me up to get my oxygen levels back up and keep me from passing out.”
Doctors were concerned that Mrs Hallock could develop botulism – a very rare condition that affects the body’s nerves and can be fatal.
Botulism is a form of food poisoning caused by toxins growing on improperly sterilized canned and preserved foods.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the drug in Botox injections is made from the same poison that causes botulism.
However, in this case, the toxin is purified and meets FDA standards.
Ms Hallock said: ‘One doctor had treated food-borne botulism, but no person involved in my care had ever seen this with Botox injections.’
The CDC sent Ms. Hallock a special botulism antitoxin to reduce the effects.
She was also placed on a feeding tube so she can receive medications and soft foods.
After 18 days in hospital, Mrs Hallock was discharged to continue her recovery at home.
‘I will be doing some basic exercises at home, but won’t be able to safely resume physiotherapy and outpatient therapy until four to six weeks from now once the Botox starts to wear off and I can actually use and rebuild the strength in my neck muscles. ‘ she said.
Ms Hallock has previously said she has a lung disease called bronchiectasis, as well as lupus and Ehlers Danlos. Last year she also had the upper lobe of my right lung removed.
It’s not clear whether any of her chronic conditions could have affected the way her body responded to the Botox injections.
Because Ms. Hallock’s response is so rare, the hospital is doing a case study on her case.
There are reports that frequent application of cosmetic Botox could lead to botulism in a short period of time.
A study examined 86 patients with botulism caused by a cosmetic injection of Botox who were admitted to a hospital in China between April 2009 and June 2013.
Botox injections are usually safe when administered by a licensed and skilled healthcare provider, according to the Mayo Clinic.
It can lead to unwanted results and side effects, such as drooping eyelids or an infection at the injection site, or cause damage if administered incorrectly.