Georgia Mom of 3 Left Paralyzed After Wrinkle Treatment: ‘I Couldn’t Be the Mother I Wanted’

A Georgia mother says her life was upended after routine wrinkle treatments left her partially paralyzed and battling botulism.

Amanda Wolaver, 33, from Good Hope, developed debilitating symptoms after receiving her usual Botox injections—along with a first-time Dysport treatment—in 2023. The injectables, both made from botulinum toxin, are commonly used for cosmetic purposes to smooth facial lines. But soon after her visit, Wolaver says her health quickly deteriorated.

“I had a migraine right away, and by the next day, I couldn’t function or even string sentences together,” she told the Daily Mail.

Wolaver rushed to the hospital, but initial CT scans didn’t link her symptoms to the injections. Meanwhile, her condition worsened. Strong smells overwhelmed her, she struggled to stand or walk, and relied on her husband, Josh, 39, to care for their three children: Landen, 16, Braxton, 11, and Hayvn, 5.

“I couldn’t be the mother I wanted for my three children,” she said, describing a terrifying experience of feeling like she was “slowly dying.”

Doctors explored various possibilities—including multiple sclerosis and autoimmune disorders—ordering spinal taps and even implanting a heart monitor. Still, the source of her symptoms remained unclear. After spending roughly $30,000 on testing, Wolaver found a possible explanation through an online support group: iatrogenic botulism, a rare condition caused by medical procedures.

Eventually, she was diagnosed with botulism that had triggered a series of mini-strokes in her brain.

Botulism, though rare, can be life-threatening and occurs when botulinum toxin spreads beyond the injection site. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms may appear within hours and include difficulty breathing, speaking, or swallowing, along with nausea and blurred vision. The condition often requires months of recovery and intensive therapy.

“I was devastated,” Wolaver said. “To hear I’d had multiple strokes—that this might kill me—was crushing.”

In an effort to support her healing, she has since changed her diet and even had her breast implants removed, hoping to eliminate toxins from her body. “I learned the cost of beauty the hard way,” she said.

Botox manufacturer AbbVie and Dysport maker Galderma have not yet commented on her case.

Wolaver’s story comes as the U.K. faces its own botulism outbreak, with 38 cases reportedly tied to Botox treatments, according to the UK Health Security Agency.

Despite her ongoing challenges, Wolaver is sharing her experience to warn others. “I just want people to know this can happen. I never imagined something meant to make me feel better could nearly destroy me.”