In her early 30s, cosmetic treatments were simply part of her self-care routine. But after one seemingly ordinary appointment, her life changed forever. She fell gravely ill, never suspecting the beauty injections could be the cause—and neither did her doctors. Years later, she would discover the truth.
Amanda Wolaver, a mother of three from Goodhope, Georgia, went from running her household to suddenly being unable to walk, cook, or care for her children. Her husband became her full-time caretaker as specialists scrambled for answers.
Over the next two years, she endured countless hospital visits, scans, and invasive tests. Still, her symptoms—dizziness, weakness, and severe brain fog—refused to improve.
The Day It All Started
On August 24, 2023, Amanda visited a well-known surgery center in Atlanta for routine Botox-style injections: 104 units in her forehead, crow’s feet, and between her eyebrows. That night, she developed a splitting headache. By morning, she could barely stand or speak.
Her first CT scan showed nothing, and doctors labeled it a migraine. But days later, she was still unable to function. Loud noises and strong smells made her dizzy, and she relied entirely on her husband for daily care.
A neurologist’s tests later revealed multiple transient ischemic attacks—mini-strokes—but no cause. She wore external and internal heart monitors, underwent spinal taps, and had MRIs, yet the mystery remained unsolved.
Finding the Cause Herself
Frustrated, Amanda began researching online and joined support groups. There, she discovered hundreds of others reporting similar symptoms after cosmetic injections. In March 2025, she paid nearly $29,000 for private testing. The results confirmed her suspicion—she had iatrogenic botulism, a rare complication where botulinum toxin spreads beyond the injection site, attacking the nervous system.
This condition explained her strokes, paralysis, and ongoing neurological problems. Her only treatment: letting her body detox naturally, a process that can take years.
A Changed Life
Amanda overhauled her diet, removed her breast implants, and slowed her daily pace to manage the unpredictable waves of fatigue and dizziness. She has since embraced her natural appearance, warning others of the hidden risks behind cosmetic procedures.
She now shares her journey on TikTok to raise awareness and encourage early medical checkups—something she credits for saving her life when she was later diagnosed, and treated, for precervical cancer.
Her story is a sobering reminder that even “routine” beauty treatments can carry life-altering risks—and that listening to your body could be the key to survival.