A Voice for the Voiceless: How a Speech Pathologist is Speaking Out on Neurotoxin Dangers
.jpg "Learn more about Megan's advocacy for botulinum toxin injury awareness.")
For many, the decision to get cosmetic injectables is a casual one, influenced by friends or a desire for a quick refresh. For Megan McCue, a speech-language pathologist and mother of three, that one decision would be anything but casual—it was the beginning of a life-altering journey that would transform her from a patient into a powerful advocate for a community of forgotten victims.
She was, in her own words, an "average Californian suburban mom," a busy mother of three with a full-time career. Having seen friends and even her own sister use injectables for years without any apparent issues, she felt confident in her decision to try it for the first time. On July 9th, 2024, a reputable, experienced MD injected just 12 units of Xeomin into her crow's feet. She expected to see a subtle, refreshed look unfold over the next few days.
What was unleashed instead was a terrifying, slow-motion descent into a neurological nightmare.
"I knew my life hadn't been the same since the Xeomin," Megan explained, describing the immediate onset of brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and head pressure. As the weeks went on, the symptoms worsened. The turning point came about a month after the injection, when she began experiencing severe dry mouth and difficulty swallowing solids. Her search for medical care was met with a wall of disbelief.
"I went to the ER a handful of times, and like most botulism victims, was completely gaslit," she recalled. In a moment of profound irony, the speech pathologist who performed her swallow study was particularly dismissive, "...telling me that I'd probably always had these symptoms, but was just noticing them more because I was so anxious."
This constant invalidation became the central battle of her recovery. I asked Megan to elaborate on why this medical gaslighting is so pervasive for survivors of this injury.
Q: What was the single most frustrating part of navigating the medical system after your injury?
A: "The gaslighting and denial of symptoms by doctors. Because botulism symptoms are typically 'invisible'—they don't show up on objective testing like x-rays, blood work, vital sign monitoring, etc.—it is difficult for doctors to take us at face value and believe us... I learned from reading a book called Recognizing Botulism by JA Talkington that doctors from the early 1900s became pretty good at diagnosing botulism, because they didn't have the technology we have today and had to rely on patients to report their symptoms."
It was this dismissal—a modern medical system ironically blinded by its reliance on technology—that fueled Megan's search for the truth. She went home and began her own investigation. There, on the product's own website and on drug databases, she found her reality validated in black and white: weakness, dry mouth, dysphagia, insomnia—all listed as potential side effects.
This discovery led her to Facebook, where she found the support groups. "It was truly astonishing," she said, "to see how many other people there were who had all suffered my same symptoms while being completely ignored by doctors, like I was."
Finding this community was a pivotal moment, transforming isolation into solidarity. It’s a resource she now passionately guides others toward. I asked her what she would say to someone who is lost in those same early, terrifying days.
Q: What is the most important piece of advice you would give to someone in the early, terrifying days of a suspected neurotoxin injury?
A: "Know that there are tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of other people who have been in your exact shoes... You are so much stronger than you realize, and you are going to make it to the other side of this... Join a support group and ask others for guidance and advice... The support groups were truly a lifeline for me in the early days. We really do need each other."
It was that need for community and guidance that fueled Megan to turn her own trauma into a public resource. Her professional background gave her a unique perspective and a sense of duty. "My illness hit really close to home," she said. "I really felt strongly that my profession needed to know about this illness, so that we could all be screening patients for Botox use if they presented with these symptoms and no other obvious cause."
This conviction led her to create
Megan’s work is a vital beacon, and her advocacy extends across multiple platforms. In addition to her website and three books on the subject, she runs the public "Botox Side Effects-Iatrogenic Botulism" support group on Facebook. Her Instagram presence is twofold: on her primary account, @botoxtruths, she shares critical information and personal insights with a much-needed dose of humor. Her second account, @botoxinjurystories, is dedicated to her influential podcast, which features powerful conversations with other patients. For those who prefer to listen, the "Botox Injury Stories" podcast is available on Apple.
Megan’s work across all these platforms is building a community and providing the tools for others to fight for their own health. I am so glad she is on our side. I encourage everyone to visit her website, follow her on Instagram, listen to her podcast, and view the discussions in the public Facebook group.
Hearing Megan's story is like looking in a mirror. Her experience with medical dismissal, the search for answers, and the passion to turn that trauma into a resource for others is the very reason I started my own blog, 'A Toxin's Toll.' Her work is a powerful reminder that we are not alone, and that together, our voices are creating the change we so desperately need.
Ultimately, the most important part of this journey is finding what works for you. Whether it's a book, a particular online community, or a trusted friend, finding a source of support that makes you feel validated and understood is a powerful step towards healing. I encourage everyone to keep searching until they find that space for themselves.
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