Re: Botox treatment

[Guest guest]

Personally, I'd run, not walk, away from any doctor suggesting shooting botox into a 5 year old. Botox is a deadly poison, and has to be used extremely cautiously. I've never heard of using it to relax leg muscles, and I'd get 3 or 4 backup opinions before even thinking about proceeding. MarilynFrom: nicola duke

<nicolalduke@...>Autism and Aspergers Treatment Sent: Sun, January 23, 2011 5:12:16 PMSubject: Botox treatment

Hi all,

My son attended orthopaedics today regarding ongoing issues with tired, painful legs and feet. He is 5yo with a diagnosis of asd and has been wearing orthotic insoles past 2years and have been told muscle tone is on the low side. We have had lots of physio input and lots of strengthening and stretching exercises. He does toe walk on occasion but is more likely to run on his toes. I should also say he is very prone to falls. The paediatrician we saw 2day has suggested botox to treat the tightness he has in calves he has very tight calves despite exercise especially on the right which has alot of resistance. Has any1 any experience of this treatment as i dont and would appreciate any input either thoughts, first hand experience or advice.

Thanks in advance Nic

[Guest guest]

I would try the help of a good chiropractor way before botox.Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®From: nicola duke <nicolalduke@...>Sender: Autism and Aspergers Treatment Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2011 22:12:16 +0000<Autism and Aspergers Treatment >Reply Autism and Aspergers Treatment Subject: Botox treatment Hi all,My son attended orthopaedics today regarding ongoing issues with tired, painful legs and feet. He is 5yo with a diagnosis of asd and has been wearing orthotic insoles past 2years and have been told muscle tone is on the low side. We have had lots of physio input and lots of strengthening and stretching exercises. He does toe walk on occasion but is more likely to run on his toes. I should also say he is very prone to falls. The paediatrician we saw 2day has suggested botox to treat the tightness he has in calves he has very tight calves despite exercise especially on the right which has alot of resistance. Has any1 any experience of this treatment as i dont and would appreciate any input either thoughts, first hand experience or advice.Thanks in advance Nic

[Guest guest]

Hi Nic.

I have another son who had a stroke in-utero. He is 7 and has right hemiplegia from the stroke. I have a 13 year old with Aspergers, ADHD, Anxiety, NVLD, etc.

We have used Botox before in my younger son when he was about 4. It was for to relax the muscles in his right leg to promote better walking. He wasn't a toe walker just had a tighter, stiffer leg when he walked. Unfortunately, we did not like the effects it had on my son as he developed a more prominent limp after the Botox.

However, I do know of others who have kiddos that have had a stroke like my 7 year old who have loved the benefits they got from the Botox.

The pros are ...it wears off (i.e. if you are not happy with the results). The cons are.....it wears off (if you find the results to be benificial).

I would recommend getting second opinion. Did you say that you see a physiatrist? That is who we had do our sons Botox. They also have the ability to do the botox using a TENS like unit to make sure they are getting the correct muscle.

Have you heard of serial casting? That is another way to help with toe walking. They will stretch the calf muscle a bit and cast it in a cast like you have when you break your leg. You go back every week and get a new cast on after they stretch the calf muscle just a bit further. The down side to this is that the leg is usually a bit weaker from having the cast on but the muscle is now loose enough to have the foot down to work on the muscle the right way.

AJ

mom to Noah, 13, ASD, and the list above..