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Thanks much, David, for your information. My undertanding, too, is that the shots are expensive. I will relay your very informative feedback to my mom. -Benny email: [log in to unmask] >X-UIDL: 814465017.005 >Date: Mon, 23 Oct 1995 10:09:35 -0400 >Reply-To: "Parkinson's Disease - Information Exchange Network" <[log in to unmask]> >Sender: "Parkinson's Disease - Information Exchange Network" <[log in to unmask]> >From: David Rohrbaugh <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: neck problems - dystonia >Comments: To: [log in to unmask] >Comments: cc: [log in to unmask] >To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]> > >I have neck problems also. Tortacollis. I have a Botox injection every >three months of 250 units. I was at 300 units but experienced some of the >problems your mother exhibits. It sounds to me like she was given too much >Botulinum. I recently went off Artane because of it's side effects on >cognitive functions. However, Artane helps deal with the Tortacollis and so >again we have a good news bad news story in PD meds. > >The big problem with the Botox injection, beside the high cost (mine cost >$1400 per shot), is that you will develop anti-bodies rendering the >treatment ineffective. > >The effectiveness of the Botox treatment is clearly dependent on the Dr. >giving the shot. My first neurologist did random injections in the neck >muscles. The first time worked great. The second time nothing. I now have a >neurologist doing the injections who uses sensing equipment with needles to >determine what muscles are rigid and need treatment. Much more effective >method. > >I get a shot every 3 months but usually the last month is difficult. I use a >massage therapist who works on my neck once a week and she helps extend the >time between shots. > >I also went through biofeedback therapy for the tortacollis. It proved >effective in relaxed conditions but when I was under stress I could not >overcome the muscles with this method. > >Hope this helps > >David Rohrbaugh [log in to unmask] > >