Counting Small Blessings
I'm an outdoorsman, and as someone who loves to fish and hunt, I just took for granted that I'd always be able to use my hands and arms. I never imagined how difficult life would be with upper limb spasticity.
Not being able to enjoy outdoor activities was bad enough -- I couldn't believe how difficult the upper limb spasticity made even everyday tasks like getting dressed or washing my hands. My fist remained tightly clenched and every time I tried to open my stiff fingers and hand to simply wash my hand, I just couldn't do it.
This ordeal has been equally tough on my wife Diana, as she watched me struggle with daily tasks. “My husband was a very active man, so I knew the physical limitations he experienced because of the upper limb spasticity were frustrating for him to cope with,” said Diana. “It was difficult to see him struggle to even open his hand and make any use of his stiff fingers. Personally, I was emotionally drained and constantly wanted to step in and help him, but even with my assistance his hand remained very stiff and clenched all the time."
As a result of my upper limb spasticity, I worked with a team consisting of my neurologist and therapists to determine how to move forward with a rehabilitation plan that was right for me. Through the recommendation of my team of specialists, I began therapy five days a week and the use of BOTOX® (onabotulinumtoxinA) for the treatment of my upper limb spasticity. After continued physical and occupational therapy and treatment with BOTOX®, it is now easier for me to straighten my fingers out and unclench my fist, so my left or “unaffected” hand can wash it. To most, being able to open their hands to clean them seems like such a small task, but for me and others living with from upper limb spasticity, the impact is big.
I am now able to open my hand enough to hold hands with my wife and even get my arm around her for a hug. It's again a small task and yet for us, immeasurable.
Individual results may vary.
Jim and his wife Diana currently reside in Kansas.
"My fist remained tightly clenched and every time I tried to open my stiff fingers and hand to simply wash my hand, I just couldn't do it." -Jim
"Open Arms: Raising Awareness for Upper Limb Spasticity" Educational Campaign Advocacy Partners. Sponsors of the Open Arms educational campaign do not endorse any specific treatment for upper limb spasticity
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
BOTOX® is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to treat increased muscle stiffness in elbow, wrist, and finger muscles with upper limb spasticity in people 18 years and older.
It is not known whether BOTOX® is safe or effective for other types of muscle spasms.
BOTOX® may cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of these problems any time (hours to weeks) after injection of BOTOX®:
- Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing, due to weakening of associated muscles, can be severe and result in loss of life. You are at the highest risk if these problems are pre-existing before injection. Swallowing problems may last for several months.
- Spread of toxin effects. The effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas away from the injection site and cause serious symptoms including: loss of strength and all-over muscle weakness, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice (dysphonia), trouble saying words clearly (dysarthria), loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing.
There has not been a confirmed serious case of spread of toxin effect away from the injection site when BOTOX® has been used at the recommended dose to treat severe underarm sweating, blepharospasm, or strabismus.
The dose of BOTOX® is not the same as, or comparable to, another botulinum toxin product.
Serious and or immediate allergic reactions have been reported. These reactions include itchy rash, swelling, and shortness of breath. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you experience any such symptoms, further injection of BOTOX® should be discontinued.
Do not take BOTOX® if you: are allergic to any of the ingredients in BOTOX® (see Medication Guide for ingredients); had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product such as Myobloc® or Dysport®; have a skin infection at the planned injection site.
Tell your doctor about all your muscle or nerve conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease], myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome as you may be at increased risk of serious side effects including severe dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and respiratory compromise (difficulty breathing) from typical doses of BOTOX®.
Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you have: plans to have surgery; had surgery on your face; weakness of forehead muscles, such as trouble raising your eyebrows; drooping eyelids; any other abnormal facial change; are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (It is not known if BOTOX® can harm your unborn baby); are breast-feeding or plan to breastfeed (It is not known if BOTOX® passes into breast milk).
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal products.
BOTOX® may cause loss of strength or general muscle weakness, or vision problems. If this happens, do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities.
Other side effects of BOTOX® include: dry mouth, discomfort or pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, neck pain, and eye problems: double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight, drooping eyelids, swelling of your eyelids, and dry eyes.
For more information refer to the Medication Guide or talk with your doctor.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Product Information, including Medication Guide for BOTOX®.