Alicia Hallock, known as @alihallock on TikTok and Instagram, shared a terrifying medical experience on social media that landed her in intensive care.
“I experienced a rare complication from Botox injections for migraines,” the 35-year-old wrote on Instagram. “It has spread to the muscles in my neck, causing all sorts of problems. My eyelids are droopy, causing significant pressure, blurred vision and dizziness.”
She continued: “The muscles in my neck are essentially paralysed, preventing me from lifting my head. I have to wear a neck brace to keep my head upright; otherwise I can’t stabilize it. In addition, I’ve developed dysphagia [difficulty swallowing], which was the most alarming aspect of this ordeal. There were moments when I choked on sips of water and even saliva.”
“My speech is very damaged. It is slurred and hoarse. The speech therapist is helping me retrain my muscles and evaluate my vocal cords,” she added.
According to the American Migraine Foundation, Botox is an FDA-approved treatment for chronic migraines, defined as headaches that occur 15 or more days per month. The procedure involves injecting Botox into the muscles around the face, head and neck to interrupt pain pathways.
But if the toxin in the product spreads beyond the intended treatment site, it can cause botulism, a condition that can lead to progressive muscle paralysis, according to the FDA.
A few days after Hallock first posted, she took to Instagram again to share the news with her followers, saying she temporarily stopped breathing after mucus got stuck in her throat.
“They had to put me in a bag to get my oxygen levels up so I wouldn’t pass out. It was super scary. I’m doing relatively well now, but I’m on oxygen. I’ve had a few less serious episodes since then,” she wrote. “Yesterday they gave me botulism medicine that was sent here from the CDC, we’ll see how things look today and decide if they want to give another dose or not. It won’t really change anything that’s already attached to the muscle, but it may prevent it from it makes things worse,” she added, explaining how doctors give her medication through feeding tubes.
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But in her latest TikTok video from the hospital, she expressed how she felt “more scared and terrified” than ever. In the video, she takes off her brace to show people that she can’t hold her head up on her own.
“I know it’s kind of scary and scary to see, and I’m sure none of you expected this to be my reality, even with what I’ve shared here so far,” she captioned the video. “So, I’m sorry. But, this is where I’m at right now. And I just wanted to show you my wobbly wobbly head and let everyone know that I’m fighting and I’m fine right now.”
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Since sharing her story, people have taken to her social media comments to share positive thoughts about Hallock.
“Oh my God you are so amazing I am so proud of you and you keep sending prayers,” one user commented on her recent Instagram post.
“We love you Ali!!! Hang in there xoxo,” someone else wrote.
Alicia Hallock.
Alicia Hallock
Speaking to PEOPLE on Tuesday, Hallocka’s husband, Brian, said his wife was in the hospital for a total of 18 days.
“She just got permission to come home today,” he says. “She has a feeding tube placed directly into her stomach called a peg tube through which she will continue to be fed for the next 8-12 weeks or until her symptoms subside enough for her to eat on her own.”
“She will still have visiting nurses coming to help her with various things here at home, including a dietician, a speech therapist, and when the time is right, physical therapists as well,” he added.
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Source: HIS Education