top of page
Talkin' Tox
a blog about all things botulinum toxin and iatrogenic botulism
All Posts


How Botulism Affects Hormones
Many people will notice hormone-related symptoms after botulinum toxin poisoning, even if their lab tests look “normal.” For some of us, it looks like an increase in symptoms around our period, or disrupted menstrual cycles, or even full-blown early onset menopause. This post will help explain what's going on with our hormones when we are poisoned. The big picture Botulism affects the nervous system first. Hormones are controlled by the nervous system. W hen nerve signaling
Megan McCue
6 days ago


Tips for Fight or Flight Episodes
Hi all. The past few months, I have been using AI as a tool to learn more about botulism and all of the ways it can disrupt the autonomic nervous system. As many of you know, this disruption can lead to the dreaded fight/flight episodes, heart palpitations, and/or "air hunger" sensations, even though our oxygen saturations are normal, and hospital testing tells us we're "fine". I had AI put together a short post (and I read through and edited as needed) about things that can
Megan McCue
Jan 31


Recovering From Botulism PDF
My new PDF "Recovering from Botulism" can be downloaded, printed and SHARED with friends, family, and medical professionals. The goal of this PDF is to serve as a well-organized, easy-to-read guide for learning more about botulism recovery - including possible symptoms, how the body heals from botulism, and strategies that may help manage symptoms. Most importantly, I want to emphasize that recovery from botulism depends on healing the whole body, not just treating isolated s
Megan McCue
Dec 22, 2025


A-Z Symptom Helper
Click on a symptom below to see what practices/supplements/drugs helped relieve that symptom for fellow sufferers. This list was created via the input of members in our Facebook support group . Please note that none of this is medical advice . ALWAYS work closely with a trusted healthcare provider before beginning or discontinuing ANY supplements or medications. **What works for one person, can cause a worsening of symptoms for others, so please use your common sense, do your
Megan McCue
Dec 13, 2025


Guest Post: Healing MCAS After Botulism by Joelle Murray
Joelle developed MCAS after Botox in 2024 When I developed botulism from cosmetic Botox, it sent my entire body into a meltdown I didn’t know was possible. My mast cells became hyperreactive, my breathing felt suffocated, my nervous system was stuck in fight or flight, and the simplest things—walking, eating, smelling perfume—suddenly became threats. The Study That Haunted Me and the Turning Point That Saved Me Somewhere in those early months when my body felt like it was unr
Megan McCue
Dec 1, 2025


Side Effect Screening for BoNT patients
Below is a printable PDF that providers can use to screen patients receiving BoNT injections. Ideally, this would be given to patients at every single visit, to identify patients who are potentially experiencing symptoms of toxin spread. Feel free to download and edit as needed.
Megan McCue
Nov 5, 2025


Key Takeaways from my Chat with Brenda Wilson, PhD.
I wanted to share some key takeaways from a Zoom call I had with Dr. Brenda Wilson, a microbiologist and professor at the University of...
Megan McCue
Jun 30, 2025


Hospitals and Clinicians Familiar with Iatrogenic Botulism
Here is a growing list of hospitals and/or physicians that are familiar with the signs/symptoms of iatrogenic botulism and have treated IB patients: (Please email metoxpretty@gmail.com to add a hospital/clinician to this list) USA California Monterey - CHOMP (Dr. Hage) Monterey/Salinas - Dr. Steven Regwan (DO, cardiologist) Sacramento - UC Davis Sacramento - Sutter Downtown Temecula - Temecula Center for Integrative Medicine Oregon Gresham - Legacy Mt. Hood Hospital Texas Da
Megan McCue
Jun 18, 2025


Survey Results
Here are screenshots of the survey results so far. Email me at metoxpretty@gmail.com if you want to see the results for a specific question not listed here. Which NEW symptoms did you experience post-injections? (do not include medical conditions you had prior to injections)
Megan McCue
May 23, 2025


Important Considerations for Botulism Patients
The following is a list of important considerations for physicians who are caring for those with iatrogenic botulism. Here is a full list...
Megan McCue
Apr 27, 2025


Research Hub
***THIS SECTION IS CURRENTLY IN PROGRESS. PLEASE BE PATIENT*** The following is a growing list of medical research related to iatrogenic botulism. **HINT: It is important to always look for the funding source when looking at any research pertaining to botulinum toxin injections. This is a powerful, $11 billion dollar industry, and thus much of the research is industry-funded. Companies that make BoNT products (and fund a lot of the research for new uses of these products) inc
Megan McCue
Apr 27, 2025


Sample ER Protocol for Identifying Iatrogenic Botulism
Created by Megan McCue: www.iatrogenicbotulism.com ***THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE; IT IS A SAMPLE PROTOCOL THAT HOSPITALS CAN USE/EDIT IN...
Megan McCue
Apr 26, 2025


Botulinum Toxin Product Inserts
The following is a list of the current botulinum toxin product inserts and safety information. If you inject patients with these...
Megan McCue
Apr 26, 2025


Botulism and MCAS
Grass-fed steak is an MCAS-friendly superfood I wanted to put together some information about MCAS and histamine intolerances that can often be triggered by iatrogenic botulism. In one study, 62% of iatrogenic botulism suffered from NEW onsets of food and product intolerances (histamine reactions) in the months after poisoning. In my own Facebook Group Botox Adverse Effects Survey, about 52% of people surveyed reported suffering from a new onset of MCAS and/or histamine intol
Megan McCue
Apr 24, 2025


Surprising Botox Adverse Effects
I wanted to share just a few of the most surprising adverse effects I've uncovered while reading through the package inserts for all...
Megan McCue
Mar 16, 2025


Your Brain on Botox
There is overwhelming evidence from animal studies, as well as foodborne and iatrogenic botulism case studies, that Botox can and does...
Megan McCue
Mar 7, 2025


Botox Poisoning: Start Here
I put this information together for people who suspect that they are suffering from Botox poisoning (known as "Iatrogenic botulism" or "Iatrogenic botulism poisoning - IBP") following Botox/Xeomin/Dysport/etc injections. I suggest you read through this post in full. PLEASE NOTE: This information is provided for educational purposes only. None of this is medical advice. Please work closely with a trusted healthcare provider when making medical decisions. I am not, nor do I cla
Megan McCue
Feb 27, 2025


Healing from Botulism
Get outside as much as you can Botulism from Botox is a scary and unpredictable disease. My "very mild" botulism resulted in me being...
Megan McCue
Feb 24, 2025


Botox for Migraines: The Facts
Photo credit: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/103000s5302lbl.pdf Botox has been approved for the prevention of...
Megan McCue
Feb 23, 2025


Botulism and Medical Gaslighting: My Story
Medical gaslighting in botulism cases is nothing new. Historical outbreaks of foodborne botulism victims documented cases of what doctors...
Megan McCue
Feb 21, 2025
bottom of page
