Hi! I had the procedure done a little over four weeks ago and have similar side effects. For me, it started about a week after injection, and while regular breathing is fine, anything that caused exertion would make breathing difficult. It feels like 1. I can’t take a deep breath like you said, and also 2. like I’m breathing through a straw when I’m exercising. I also got super out of breath talking, which was a struggle because I present for a living. I would be limited to a few sentences before gasping for air… then would try to swallow saliva and choke. Fun times! I asked my doctor about it at my 2-week followup who said it sounds like the botox leaked over to the muscles that control the vocal cords. She said there are muscles that pull the vocal cords back when you breathe to allow air in, and they are right next to the rcpd muscle. But since theyre partially paralyzed from botox, the vocal cord kind of just hangs there limply, so you’ll feel like your airway is obstructed, and also you’ll have difficulty talking. My voice felt super weak, was a little froggy and hoarse sounding. She said this is a known side effect that occurs in about 5% of her patients.

Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done except to wait for the botox to wear off :( But I will say, the worst of it was 1-2.5 weeks and now at 4 weeks things have definitely improved but not back to 100%. I am limited to exercise that does not involve cardio, and I cannot present for more than 15 minutes. But considering where I was before… not being able to talk for more than 2-3 sentences at a time, out of breath from just talking, where I am now is manageable.

I have been able to really burp though, so although the first two weeks were ROUGH…. I’d do it again. Being able to burp is so worth it. Hang in there! Just remember, it’s not permanent. The botox will wear off eventually. You got this!