Hi. I just need to clarify, that Botox injections alone is not very helpful. In fact, if that is all that is done, you may end up more hopeless than you started.
The way we do the Botox procedure is to manually relax the spasm, complete an exam, inject Botox and a short term numbing agent, and then INSERT A LARGE DILATOR, in order to keep the muscles from having another spasm until the Botox kicks in. All of this is done under conscious sedation so your anxiety is not a factor. We then teach you how to work through the next few months. We have not had to re-inject any patients. It kills me when I hear about practices that merely inject Botox and send you home. That would be like doing knee surgery and not giving you follow-up PT instructions and after-care procedures.
Topical lydocaine should not be harmful at all if prescribed by your physician, but in our experience it is not effective either.
Good luck to you.
