Mum, 33, unable to speak and left partially paralysed by ‘Botox-like injections' that triggered mini strokes

The Sun

29-07-2025

MERE hours after getting botox-like injections Amanda Wolaver woke up unable to move.
The 33-year-old had been getting routine anti-wrinkle injections for 10 years with "no issues" until a top-up triggered a mini stroke.
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"As I was essentially a vegetable, unable to move, walk and drive or do anything I love," the mum-of-three from Georgia, US, explained.
Amanda paid $700 (£524.20) to have 104 units of a Botox alternative she had never used before injected into her forehead and crow's feet in August 2023.
Soon after, she developed a "horrible" migrane which she tried to "sleep off".
But the next day, when Amanda woke up, she realised she couldn't "string a sentence together" or "move".
Over the next 16 months, her symptoms got worse.
She became housebound for four months and everyday tasks like showering and doing her make-up became a struggle.
Botox and similar treatments that paralyse facial muscles are neurotoxins that block muscle contractions to rid wrinkles and both derive from botulinum toxin.
At the time, Amanda visited the hospital and was told it was "nothing to do with the injections.
"They told me that it was probably just a severe migraine," she said.
"But soon, my body felt like the floor was being ripped out from underneath me and that I'd collapse.
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"My dizziness became so severe that I had to take Xanax to knock me out to sleep.
"I thought I was slowly dying."
Now, two years later, Amanda said she still "doesn't feel normal".
"Never did I think this might happen to me," she said.
"It was the worst decision I've ever made.
"I couldn't be the mother I wanted for my three children, Landen, 16, Braxton, 11, and Havyn, five."
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In 2023, Amanda visited doctors multiple times to find a cause and underwent a heart monitor implant and spinal tap surgeries.
"They thought I had MS at one point and an autoimmune disorder," she added.
"I underwent around 10 to 15 different MRIs, CTs and multiple procedures.
"I felt like a lab rat."
Four months after her injections, a head and neck MR also revealed that the mum suffered from multiple transient ischaemic attacks (TIA), or mini strokes as they are sometimes called.
TIA's are caused by an interruption in blood supply to the brain, cutting off oxygen to the organ.
But, as the name suggests, the effect of TIAs don't last - sometimes only a few minutes or hours.
Symptoms tend to be gone within 24 hours as blood supply to the brain is resolved.
However, research published earlier this year, suggested the condition could have similar long-lasting effects on the brain to a stroke, which includes cognitive decline.
This can involve having problems with memory and thinking.
'Life ruined'
"That knocked me back," Amanda said.
"To be told I had suffered from multiple small strokes in my brain made me think that this would eventually kill me."
Her joint pain left her struggling to formulate sentences.
"My life was essentially ruined," Amanda said.
"I lost friends and couldn't hang out with my family, as loud noises and strong smells would trigger my dizziness.
"So I couldn't even cook my kids' dinner or clean the house."
But it wasn't until she discovered a forum of people who had suffered Botox poisoning that it "all came together".
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The 9 symptoms of a TIA
TIAs will cause symptoms similar to a stroke, which tend to strike suddenly.
These can be remembered through the acronym FAST:
Face – your face may have dropped on one side, you may not be able to smile, or your mouth or eye may have drooped.
Arms – you may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there, because of weakness or numbness in one arm.
Speech – your speech may be slurred or garbled, or you may not be able to talk at all, despite appearing to be awake; you may also have problems understanding what people are saying to you.
Time – it's time for someone to call 999 immediately if they notice any of these signs or symptoms in you.
"Mini strokes" can also occasionally cause different symptoms, including:
Complete paralysis of one side of the body
Sudden vision loss, blurred vision or double vision
Vertigo
Being sick
Dizziness
Confusion
Difficulty understanding what others are saying
Problems with balance and co-ordination
Difficulty swallowing
You should call 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance if you or someone else has symptoms of a TIA or stroke.
Even if the symptoms disappear while you're waiting for an ambulance to arrive, you still need to be assessed at hospital and you should be referred to see a specialist within 24 hours of your symptoms starting.
In March 2025, she was diagnosed with iatrogenic botulism after doctors pinned the timing and correlation of her symptoms to her Dysport injections.
"It was a bittersweet moment," she said.
"But there is no cure and no promise that I will be 100 per cent back to normal."
More awareness needed
Two years later, Amanda still suffers daily with lasting effects.
She said: "I still get the occasional dizziness and I have changed my diet completely to make sure nothing bad is going in me.
"I've cut out caffeine, soda, and even had my breast implants taken out in April to allow my body to detoxify itself.
"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."
Botulinum: Everything you need to know
Botulinum toxin, commonly known by the brand name Botox, is a powerful substance used for medical and cosmetic treatments.
While Botox is generally safe when administered by trained professionals, it carries a risk of botulism, a rare but serious condition caused by toxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
What is botulism?
Botulism is a life-threatening illness that causes muscle paralysis. It can occur when botulinum toxin spreads beyond the intended area during medical or cosmetic procedures.
This condition, called iatrogenic botulism, can affect breathing and swallowing and requires urgent medical treatment.
Common symptoms of botulism
Symptoms can appear within hours to weeks after exposure to the toxin. Watch out for:
Difficulty swallowing or speaking
Dry mouth
Muscle weakness or paralysis
Drooping eyelids
Blurred or double vision
Difficulty breathing
If you experience any of these symptoms after a botulinum toxin treatment, seek immediate medical advice.
Causes and risks
Botulinum toxin is used in small, controlled doses for conditions such as muscle spasms, excessive sweating, and cosmetic wrinkle flattening.
However, if the toxin spreads or is injected incorrectly, it can lead to serious complications.
The risk is higher when unlicensed or counterfeit products are used or when treatments are done by unqualified practitioners.
Treatment
Botulism requires urgent hospital care.
Doctors may give an antitoxin to stop the toxin from causing more harm.
Supportive treatments, including mechanical ventilation, may be needed if breathing muscles are affected.
Prevention
To stay safe, only get botulinum toxin injections from licensed healthcare professionals.
Make sure the product is approved and ask questions about the procedure beforehand.
If something feels wrong during or after your treatment, seek medical help immediately.
Source: NHS