Transcript

HOST: May is Stroke Awareness Month, and thanks to educational efforts, many people can now recognize the signs and symptoms. But what many people may not know is a condition that can develop after a stroke. It’s called Spasticity. We recently visited with Dr Monica Gutierrez, professor and chair of physical medicine and rehabilitation at UT Health San Antonio and her patient, Scott, to learn more. Take a look.

SCOTT: I was in a bike race and at mile 15 I had a stroke. My daughter was with me. She got the EMS and medical attention.

Voice Over: 64-year-old Scott Zettner has always been healthy, active, and running marathons… enjoying life with his wife of 43 years, Peggy. Five years ago, their life was turned upside down when he suffered a stroke.

PEGGY: This was just seconds before his stroke. It came out of nowhere; it just hit him all of a sudden. First seeing him was pretty shocking. Scott had no speech, which was very overwhelming for him.

DOCTOR: Good morning! Good to see you, Peggy. Hi Scott!

PEGGY: Thank you, you too.

SCOTT: Good, hi.

VO: And today, Scott and his wife are visiting Dr. Gutierrez for their regular appointment.

DOCTOR: How’s therapy going?

SCOTT: Good, good, good.

HOST: Doctor, what is Spasticity and how does it affect the body?

DOCTOR: Spasticity is abnormal muscle tightness due to prolonged muscle contraction. Spasticity can affect both the upper and the lower limbs, and it can present with bent elbow, bent wrist, clenched fingers, as well as impact the foot and toes.

HOST: Doctor, once Scott came to you, what course of treatment did you recommend?

DOCTOR: I met with Scott and his wife Peggy, and we started talking about his Spasticity treatment goals. I recommended that Scott try treatment with BOTOX^® (onabotulinumtoxinA), a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to treat increased muscle stiffness in people 2 years of age and older with Spasticity. Of note, BOTOX^® has not been shown to help people perform task-specific functions with their upper limbs or increase movement in joints that are permanently fixed in position by stiff muscles. As for Important Safety Information to be aware of… Effects of BOTOX^® may spread hours to weeks after an injection causing serious symptoms. Alert your doctor right away as difficulty swallowing, speaking, breathing, eye problems, or muscle weakness can be signs of a life-threatening condition. Please see the additional Important Safety Information within this video.

HOST: So Doctor, let’s talk about BOTOX^®. People may not be aware that it’s approved for medical uses, correct?

DOCTOR: Patients are surprised about BOTOX^® to hear that the FDA has approved BOTOX^® to be used in Upper Limb Spasticity since 2010, and for Adult Lower Limb Spasticity since 2016.

HOST: How has it worked for him?

DOCTOR: I’d love to see Scott and his wife every 12 weeks. And he notes that he has decreased muscle Spasticity, that his muscles aren’t as tight.

HOST: Let’s return to Scott and see how he’s doing since he started his treatment.

SCOTT: I think it’s part of my makeup; never, never, never give up hope. I have good days and great days.

PEGGY: Scott makes the most of every day. He’s grateful to still be here. When we got back and went back to our regular doctor here, he said, “How are you doing?” And I said, “It’s kind of hard to complain because Scott’s so positive.” And he said, “It’s hard to complain when you’re grateful.” And I thought, “You know, that’s very true. Be grateful for every day and look at what you have and not what you don’t have.”

HOST: That is so great to hear. Doctor, can you bring this home for viewers?

DOCTOR: So, people don’t understand what an impact Spasticity has. This muscle tightness, it can take away things that you’re just used to doing, that should come naturally.

HOST: And, retreatment is important, right Doctor?

DOCTOR: BOTOX^® is not a one-and-done treatment. Patients need to continue to be seen, and they need to get reinjections about every 12 weeks, so we can continue to assess their progress.

HOST: So, the bottom line, Doctor, is that finding and talking to a BOTOX^® specialist is key.

On Screen Text: There are doctors who specialize in treating Spasticity with BOTOX^®. Having access to these doctors is key to managing Spasticity.

DOCTOR: If you’re suffering from Spasticity. It’s okay to be your own advocate, to go see a physician or a healthcare provider who can address your Spasticity.

HOST: Thank you, Doctor, for such great information. And my thanks to Scott and Peggy for sharing their story. We wish them so much health and happiness. Head to BOTOXSpasticity.com - click on the “Find a BOTOX^® Specialist” tool; this will help you find a specialist near you. And please stay tuned for additional Important Safety Information about BOTOX^®.

Please see Important Safety Information, including Boxed Warning, at the end of this video or on the website below.