I'm 27, and I had Botox.

On the 5th August, I had Botox for the first time. I am 27 years old. Until relatively recently, I still got ID'd even. I had Botox for quite an unusual reason. I have Botox for medical reasons, to help with chronic headaches and migraines. I am absolutely for full body autonomy, so if someone wants to get Botox for cosmetic reasons, awesome! My Botox was somewhat different, because it designed to specifically freeze the muscles and nerves that cause my chronic pain.

The morning of my appointment, I looked like crap to say the least. I had no idea if I would approved for the Botox treatment, but after 6 years of pain every single day, I was desperate. I've tried dozens of different medications, and had acupuncture, and all they did was take the edge off. I decided to not wear makeup, I didn't want to hide the reality of being in pain every day. Thanks to instagram filters, this is quite flattering, the bags under my eyes and my dark circles aren't too obvious. I hadn't washed my hair for 5 days, because the pain in my head meant it was too much to wash my hair regularly.

My appointment was in a private hospital. I was referred as an NHS patient however. It was very fancy and had free hot chocolate, that I had to have!

I went in and spoke to my neurologist, he asked me about the treatments I have had, and I showed him the pain diary I have kept for the last 3 months. He began to talk about various medications I hadn't tried and my heart sank. I wasn't going to have Botox. I was going to have to try more medication first. And then, he uttered the words 'after the treatment today' and I couldn't hear anything else. I was fighting back tears immediately. He believed me, he wanted to help me. He wanted to give me Botox. I was so happy!

And then, the Botox. I had 36 injections, 12 in my forehead, 12 in my scalp behind my ears and slightly above them, and the rest in the base of my scalp and my neck. And oh my gosh did the ones in my forehead hurt. There was no more holding back those tears! A few minutes of deep breathing, and it was done. My next appointment was made for November and on I went!

I took these immediately after my appointment, hence the red crying eyes! You can see where one of the injections made me bleed, and the slight lumps I had from the Botox.

It was glorious sunshine when I left and we drove back. It was beautiful. I was so happy, and so excited!

Couldn't stop grinning. I had so much hope for how the treatment would work. The neurologist had told me that for 9 in 10 patients, the pain would be improved by 70%. I had everything crossed! I went to bed early that night, my forehead hurt and I was tired.

And the next day. The next day I woke up, and I didn't hurt.

For the first time in 6 years, I wasn't in pain. And I cannot even begin to explain how that felt. Since then, the Botox has settled more, and I have been basically pain free! My forehead and the injection points were sore for a few days, and my jaw has still been a little painful because I clench it out of habit and grind my teeth.

I rang Stu that first morning, and he laughed the most amazing laugh when I told him I wasn't in pain. It was the most beautiful sound.

I had to share this. It was too funny not to! I can't move my eyebrows anymore, no more The Rock impressions for me!

Got any questions? Please feel free to ask away!

Much love,

Kitty xxxxx