Welcome to the BOTOX® treatment plan, a step-by-step guide for treatment with BOTOX®.
Your doctor has decided that BOTOX® is right for you, and you may be wondering how it works or what to do next. This video will help you better understand what to expect, the steps involved in your BOTOX® treatment plan, and the importance of returning for more treatments. We’ll also talk about how you can be actively involved at each step and what you can do to work as a team with your loved one and doctor.
Over the next 3 months, your BOTOX® treatment plan will follow three main steps:
- START, when you receive your first BOTOX® injection
- CONTINUE, when you visit the doctor for a follow-up appointment, about 4 to 6 weeks later
- And RETURN, when you come back for your next treatment session, at least 12 weeks after your last BOTOX® injection
In between these steps, you’ll have an opportunity to take a look at how you’re doing and prepare for each visit to the doctor.
Because BOTOX® isn’t a cure, it’s important to stick with the plan and follow these steps, again and again, as directed by your doctor.
Ready to learn more about your BOTOX® treatment plan? Let’s get started.
The first step in your BOTOX® treatment plan is START. Here, after a consultation with your doctor, you’ll receive your first BOTOX® treatment.
Spasticity is when muscles are hyperactive, causing stiffness and tightness. BOTOX® can be an important part of an Adult Spasticity treatment plan. It was studied in multiple clinical trials and given to more than 1000 patients who have muscle stiffness and tightness in their arms and legs due to a stroke.
As the doctor may have already explained, BOTOX® is an injection given by your doctor directly into the muscles with Spasticity. It works by temporarily blocking nerve signals that cause these muscles to become stiff and tight. The injection procedure is usually done in an exam room.
At your first BOTOX® session, work with the doctor and your loved one to set treatment goals. A treatment goal is something you are both trying to do after treatment with BOTOX®. When setting goals, it’s a good idea to discuss them with the doctor to ensure that they’re specific and realistic. It often takes time to complete a goal, so breaking it into smaller steps can help you stay motivated to stick with it. As you continue with BOTOX® treatment, keep in mind: it may take more than one BOTOX® treatment to reach your goals.
After setting your goals, talk to the doctor about what to expect. The more you know about what’s up ahead, the better prepared you’ll be. You should ask your doctor questions like:
- What should I expect from BOTOX® treatment?
- Where will BOTOX® be injected?
- How long will the procedure take?
- When will I see results?
As you begin following your BOTOX® treatment plan, make sure you understand what you can do to help make it successful and how your loved one can help. When you leave the doctor’s office after the first BOTOX® injection, make sure to:
- Schedule a follow-up appointment in about 4 to 6 weeks so your doctor can see how you’re doing and how well the BOTOX® is working
- Work with your loved one to keep track of your progress at home
- Come back for your next treatment session in at least 12 weeks, when the BOTOX® has worn off
Now that you’ve learned how to get a good start, let’s see what else you can do until your next appointment.
Since the next doctor’s appointment is in 4 to 6 weeks, you and your loved one may be wondering what to do next. You should use this time to keep track of your progress and plan ahead for when you return to the doctor’s office.
During this time, you should notice the BOTOX® beginning to take effect. Muscle stiffness and tightness (or Spasticity) may start improving around a few weeks after injection. It’s a good idea to keep track of progress by writing it down, such as in a Spasticity diary, or even taking pictures or video. You can also use this time to go over your goals again. Ask yourself: Are you getting closer to reaching your goals or there still work to do? Lastly, you’ll want to make note of any questions that come up, so they can be discussed at your next appointment, such as:
- What happens next?
- How long will BOTOX® last?
- What can I do in between appointments?
This concludes the first step of the BOTOX® treatment plan. Keep watching to learn about the next step.
The next step in your BOTOX® treatment plan is CONTINUE.
Here, you’ll meet with the doctor to review your progress and discuss the overall treatment plan.
Let’s learn more about what to expect at this appointment and how you and your loved one can make the most out of your time with the doctor.
Your follow-up appointment is an important time to talk to your doctor about how well BOTOX® is working. Share your notes—and pictures or videos if you have them—because more details can help your doctor provide proper care. Remember to bring up any questions you had like:
- What’s the next step?
- How long will BOTOX® last?
- Is there anything else I can do until our next appointment?
Work with your doctor to take another look at your treatment goals to see if they need to be changed, based on the progress you’re making. Then, make sure you and your doctor have the same expectations for what’s going to happen next. And before you leave, remember to confirm your appointment for the next BOTOX® injection.
That wraps up this portion of your BOTOX® treatment plan. Let’s keep going.
After the follow-up appointment, you and your loved one will return back to the doctor’s office for your next BOTOX® treatment session. This is usually at least 12 weeks after your first BOTOX® treatment.
In the meantime, it’s important to keep tracking your progress. Make sure you capture as many details as possible. This helps your doctor customize the treatment plan to your needs. Ask yourself the following questions:
- How has the Spasticity (or muscle stiffness and tightness) changed since receiving BOTOX®?
- Are there any changes that aren’t working for me or my loved one?
- What other changes might be helpful?
Once you’ve gathered these notes, it’s a good idea to go over your plan again and prepare for your next BOTOX® treatment. As always, make note of any questions or concerns that come up so you can talk about them at your next appointment.
We’ve reached the end of this step in your BOTOX® treatment plan. Now it’s time to return to the doctor’s office for your next BOTOX® treatment.
You’ve reached the next portion of your BOTOX® treatment plan: RETURN.
Here, you and your loved one will discuss your progress with the doctor and receive your next BOTOX® treatment.
Let’s find out what you can expect at this step and what you can do to prepare for the future.
Coming back for more BOTOX® treatments is a critical part of your plan. Since BOTOX® is not a cure, you should plan on returning for additional treatments at least 12 weeks after the last one. This allows the doctor to assess your response to treatment. Depending on how you’re doing, the doctor may change which muscles are injected or the amount of BOTOX® you receive.
Before the injection is completed, you should use the rest of your time to talk about the future of your BOTOX® treatment plan. Don’t forget to schedule your next follow-up appointment and work out a plan with your loved one and doctor for additional BOTOX® treatment sessions before leaving the office.
Another BOTOX® session is now behind you, but your treatment plan keeps going from here.
Remember: Your plan may include more than one BOTOX® treatment session, so it’s important to follow the steps laid out by your doctor and keep returning for BOTOX® treatments as needed.
Now, you should be better prepared for the days and weeks ahead as you move forward with your BOTOX® treatment plan.
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