The botulinum toxin type A, aka Botox, has been shown to be effective at treating benign fasciculation syndrome (BFS).
The symptoms of BFS range from mild to very annoying, sometimes distracting and for some individuals, aggravating – even though they can be rest assured that it will not shorten their life span or lead to a motor neuron disease.
Two studies showed that Botox can effectively treat benign fasciculation syndrome.
Truck Driver with BFS
• April 2016 issue of Basal Ganglia (Ramirez et al)
• Patient was 52 and had abdominal cramps that spread to both inner thighs.
• An EMG revealed fasciculations.
• Previous treatments (not Botox) did not work.
• Botox was injected, netting an “excellent response,” says the report.
• Treatment was given every four months with great results.
Note that Botox treatments (including for facial wrinkles) do not yield permanent results. They must be repeated.
The paper concludes “that in cases of BFS, localized cramps can be successfully treated with low doses of botulinum toxin.”
Botox has been making the rounds for being quite effective at treating the cramp component of benign fasciculation syndrome.
Calf and Foot Muscles
• 1997 issue of Annals of Neurology (Bertalasi et al)
• Patients had BFS cramps in the calf and foot muscles.
• “Botulinum toxin injection significantly lowered our patients’ clinical cramp severity scores,” states the paper.
• Botox also “significantly reduced fasciculation potentials in relaxed muscles,” adds the report.
• The study authors conclude that Botox provides “effective, safe, and long-lasting relief of cramps” caused by BFS.
If BFS is driving you mad, talk to your physician about how Botox can help.
In the meantime, if you don’t have an exercise regimen, it’s time to start one. The fitter your muscles are, the better you’ll feel.
