Megan McCue, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist & Author
Educating SLPs and the public about Botox adverse effects
BOOKS
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Since the 1990s, botulinum toxin injections have been used widely for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. Although complications are considered rare, a number of patients who receive these injections will go on to experience adverse effects indicative of toxin spread, known as “iatrogenic botulism”. Many medical professionals are unfamiliar with the signs and symptoms of this potentially life-threatening disease, leaving sufferers without adequate answers and treatment.
Iatrogenic Botulism 101 combines information from the CDC and FDA, manufacturers’ clinical trials, and iatrogenic botulism case studies spanning over 20 years, in order to help clinicians untangle the complexities and nuances of this understudied and often misdiagnosed disease.
​Did you know that botulinum toxin injections (including Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau) can make you severely ill? Neither did Megan, until she developed botulism after receiving just 12 units of Xeomin once.
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As her health began declining, she was left with many questions: How had this happened? What was her prognosis? Why could no doctors help her?
And, given how disabling and long-lasting the adverse effects could be, how was this drug even legal?
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Notox walks readers through the surprising history of botulinum toxin injections and the troubling legal cases involving the drug. Using data from the industry’s own clinical trials, it exposes the havoc that is wreaked when these injections go wrong, and raises the critical question, “Are the benefits ever worth the risks?”
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Notox tells you what your injector won’t: the truth.
When Megan began experiencing bizarre and debilitating symptoms after receiving botulinum toxin injections (most commonly known by the brand name "Botox"), she was confused. Her doctor had assured her that she was at no risk of side effects from such a small amount of toxin.
As life as she knew it unraveled, and she began desperately seeking answers, she was met with medical gaslighting and puzzled looks from people in her social circle. Surely, she was just being "anxious".
With determination, support from family and friends, and the discovery of an entire world of fellow "Iatrogenic Botulism" sufferers, Megan began to find her way out from the darkness.
Me Tox Pretty is an honest, emotional, and unfiltered account of the first 5 months of her illness.
LATEST BLOG POSTS
MEDIA
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An interview with Lisa Young, CCC-SLP
A podcast with Theresa Richard, CCC-SLP
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An interview with Tonya Holcomb, ND
ABOUT
Howdy! I'm Megan, a medical speech-language pathologist and writer based in California.
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I became passionate about educating my fellow SLPs and the public about adverse effects from Botox (botulinum toxin) injections after I developed iatrogenic botulism in 2024 from trying 12 units of Xeomin once.
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When I'm not blogging about all things iatrogenic botulism, you can find me with my husband, kids, or piano.
EDUCATION
San Francisco State University
BA in Communicative Disorders, 2011
MS in Communicative Disorders, 2014
San Francisco, CA
Connect
@botoxtruths