Hey! So I had my botox on Monday morning with Ms Hicklin at the Chelsea Outpatient Centre. The procedure was fine and very quick! I wouldn't say it hurt, it was just uncomfortable! Everyone involved was so lovely! Yesterday (Wednesday - 2 days post botox) I started having microburps which happened mostly after I yawned. I still haven't had a big burp and I still have some gurgles (completely expected this early on however!) I was just wondering when it's best to introduce carbonated drinks and if there is anything I should do to support this procedure working (or shall I let it all happen naturally?) Any advice will be greatly appreciated. I will also update everyone with my journey! Thanks!
Trying to push my botox forward as things have ground to a standstill with the NHS and the UK options are between Dr. Yakubu Karagama, who is in the most famous No-burp vid and Dr. Lucy Hicklin. Lucy Hicklin seems to be quite a bit cheaper and I'm trying to find out if anybody has had any experience in being treated by her?
Thank you!
With the above court case mentioned above the accused was charged and convicted with Possession of a prohibited weapon in violation of Former Prohibited Weapons Order No 3 even though the cattle prod he had measured at a length of 483mm yet the law states in one of its elements that it has to measure less than 480mm. I believe crown argued successfully that the weapon met the any similar device element along with all other elements besides the measurement element. If this case doesn’t get appealed, then would this make cattle prods that farmers commonly use for their livelihood a prohibited weapon? Like at what length would the device be accepted to be legal and not a prohibited weapon? This case doesn’t establish a legal test for this. What are your thoughts on this matter?
I posted in here ages ago that I’d booked my appointment with Dr Hicklin in London at the end of July. I did originally start a diary tracking my progress but ended up deleting it because there was nothing to say!
I ended up having Botox in office at the beginning of august, I believe it was 50U. I had a few microburps and one proper burp a few days in but that quickly stopped and I’ve had nothing since (and my symptoms continued) so it’s definitely been unsuccessful. I am now considering whether to get a second injection but haven’t yet decided for sure.
I mostly wanted to post this because a lot of the accounts are positive and I wanted to ensure there was balance as it was important to me to see when I was making my decision. Feel free to ask any questions :)
After discovering my 14 year old son couldn't burp a couple of months back, and following years of nausea, pain, emetophobia, and anxiety, we travelled to see Ms Hicklin a couple of day ago for the R-CPD botox injection.
He did pretty well with the procedure itself, considering he's also highly anxious about pain and needles!! He experienced some discomfort just after, but I think the more relaxed you are and can allow her to do what's needed to position the needle, then the less uncomfortable it will be. I have to say that had I needed it, the procedure wouldn't have worried me at all.
His throat felt completely normal the following day (yesterday), however this morning he started to have micro burps without much effort and no tight, raspy pain, which is how he has always experienced the occasional one in the past.
He's had a couple of rounds of hiccups too, which is a little unusual, but other than that he's still eating/swallowing normally 48 hours later. A very promising start.
I had the treatment for R-CPD with Ms Lucy Hicklin at Parkside Hospital a few months ago, and whilst the treatment itself has been nothing short of life-changing so far, I have just received a letter and figured it would be important to post here.
I paid, as expected, £650 to Ms. Hicklin on the day of treatment, and a charge to the hospital for the Botox used. However, I have now been sent an invoice for just over £1,300 directly from the hospital. I am unable to find out exactly what this invoice is for until Monday.
With this additional charge it brings the cost up from around £800 to over £2100 and I'm not sure if this is an experience other people have had, but this should be noted for people looking into getting the treatment in this way.
With nothing being mentioned about these additional charges by anyone here on the subreddit as far as I can tell, and the invoice only being sent after 3 months, I'm not sure if this is an error. If anyone has had a similar experience I would love to hear what exactly happened.
UPDATE: Managed to get into contact with the Outpatient team. The invoice was broken down into 3 items, 2 of which were an EMG and blood pressure test that were apparently added to the invoice in error, as well as 1 course of "electro shockwave therapy" which the agent on the phone initially claimed was applied to my feet. After asking them to check exactly what the procedure I attended was for, they returned and told me that charge was apparently actually for the use of the machine used to facilitate the Botox injection itself.
They are now sending me a revised bill for £350 for the use of said machine, with the other charges dropped.
It's more than a little concerning they were able to make such an error, and apparently this has happened a few times. I can imagine a number of people would have paid the invoice without looking into it given the lack of information on the initial letter.
Hi all! My reddit is weird and im on mobile but i have another post about post botox experience with dr. Hicklin.
Just wanted to give a 9-10 day update. And also have a few questions foe anyone with similar experiences.
The first days i had a few micro burps. But for the past few days i have tried everything from turning my head like the exorcist both ways, drinking fizzy drinks, excercising and sttetching muscles, bit of shakers but i feel like the little progress has stopped.
I have more gurgles i feel like, and no real burps have come out. I feel discomfort again (unlike the first few days). I have had no side effects from the botox, i can swallow just fine and all and im hoping i can get a burp out soon.
The only moments i had micro burps escape were when coughing or laughing. But it doesnt happen everytime i do these.
I know some people have commented that they feel like the progress stops on the second week of botox but that then they are able to burp. I still cant even have volubtary microburps, i dont understand what im suppose to be doing with my throat or body in order to learn how to burp.
I know the botox has worked a bit bc i have been able to get at least 1 microburp a day, but it doesnt give me relieve and its so spontaneous i cant replicate it.
Just hoping im not the only one and that i just need to be patient and keep trying/waiting
Thanks to anyone who reads this far x
F 28 UK
UPDATE: 11 days post botox.
Today i have felt more of a lump in my throat. Very uncomfotable but managable. Did have to pass food with some water which felt odd since i hadnt had much trouble before. Hoping its a good sign 🤞
UPDATE: 12-13 days post botox
Yesterday and today have been the same so far. More hiccups and the lump appears and disappears so thats less than day 11.
Hi everyone, I know it’s only been a couple of days but I thought I’d update you all as so far it’s been really successful and these posts really helped me when I was looking into getting the procedure. I will continue to update.
I had my botox done on Wednesday 18th August by Ms Lucy Hicklin. I had 50units injected. It cost me £850 (£650 for the appointment/procedure and £200 for the Botox) I had it done awake without anaesthesia. Now if you’re like me and completely terrified of needles and pain then hopefully I can offer you some reassurance because it didn’t hurt at all, it was over and done with within a minute or two. It wasn’t painful but more of an odd sensation which I would say was 2/10 for discomfort. She put the needle in through the front of my neck which I didn’t even feel go in and I then had to sniff and swallow a few times, which was fine. Lucy moved the needle around three times once she was in to find the muscle, I could feel the needle moving but wasn’t painful just weird. The only thing I felt was when the Botox was actually injected and I would compare it to a tiny bee sting but that only lasted maybe 2-3 seconds. I’ve had both my Covid vaccines and they were way worse than this! I had no post-procedure symptoms at all on the day. I ate and drank as usual. However by the evening if I was trying to find something then I could say I had a very slight/mild sore/dry throat.
P.s I was absolutely crapping myself for the procedure, but Lucy is so lovely and understanding and puts you at ease as soon as you start talking to her!
1️⃣ Day 1 after Botox (19/08/2021) Had my Botox yesterday. Woke up with a bit of a sore and dry throat in the morning, a little bit more than yesterday. Feels a little lumpy and furry?? But nothing really to complain about. Still gurgling and no signs of any burps or microburps yet. No swallowing problems and still able to eat and drink as usual.
THEN in the evening I had my first burp after tea/dinner. I had pasta bake and garlic bread, which has always been a trigger for the gurgles! A big unexpected burp and then some small ones! I was in complete shock that I’d had my first burp only 17 hours after my procedure! In total yesterday I had 6 burps. One big burp and 5 small burps, I’m not sure if you’d class them as microburps as they were just small burps to me. One whilst I was yawning which was odd. I’m so happy but also a little nervous as they’ve just popped out without any warning. Big burps - 1 Small bur
... keep reading on reddit ➡Hi guys, never been an OP in this thread before but thought I might try to keep this post updated as I go on with trying to get treatment for R-CPD in the U.K.
As is the case with pretty much all of us I have been a life long no-burper, spent my teens and early twenties in complete discomfort and never realising the cause was the fact I never burped. I found this forum and suddenly it all made sense, I have all the typical symptoms e.g gurgles, ridiculous bloating, inability to drink anything fizzy or eat anything too heavy. I also worked out that I could make myself throw up when on nights out to release all the build up and it was honestly such a relief to find other people who do the exact same thing. Since finding this forum I’ve been considering going to Dr Karagama and having the botox done but currently could never afford the three grand (plus) that it costs. Only recently I saw something from another poster which said they got the treatment with Dr Karagama covered by their health insurance - so I thought I would also try the same thing.
So I firstly went to a GP appointment where I really went for it with describing the symptoms. The GP was actually really sympathetic and agreed to refer me to an ENT specialist. Initially she wanted to get me to go to a gastro but I told her about this forum and R-CPD and she was quite happy to follow my lead when I told her I was 99% sure I knew what treatment I needed. I’m with Vitality insurance but annoyingly Dr Karagama wasn’t listed under my specific policy (he is registered with Vitality though for other policies, so some people might get lucky). However I have come across Dr Lucy Hicklin who has been mentioned on this forum before, who does the botox procedure and is included in my health insurance plan! So I’m hopefully going to be booked in to see her ASAP and it’ll all be covered by my health insurance. The only difference I can see between her and Dr Karagama is that she doesn’t use general anaesthetic or do an endoscopy but honestly that is a positive for me as long as the procedure still works long-term.
I’m really excited and so happy I found out this was something that is covered under insurance. The process for getting referred has been really quick - if I get booked in for an appointment next week as planned, it will have taken under a week from the point of seeing my GP to get it all arranged. I’ll come back on here and update as and when I speak to Dr Hicklin, and if anyone has any questio
... keep reading on reddit ➡Hi again everyone!
I've had a few replies on my original post looking for a progress update and I am more than happy to oblige seeing as I would never have got where I am now without this subreddit!
Here's the link to the original if anyone is interested: https://www.reddit.com/r/noburp/comments/mu9r62/treatment_with_ms_hicklin/
So I have been burping! Quite a lot actually, I really tried to manage my expectations but blimey, it seems to have worked! I had treatment on Monday and started to get a few little burps on Wednesday afternoon, then one big one when I tried the trick people suggest of turning your head to the left. And now, as of Thursday evening, I've been burping on and off throughout the day where I would normally expect to gurgle (along with a few gurgles here and there as well but I hold out hope they'll stop one day!).
I have to add, that these burps are LOUD, like the kind of loud I would be embarrassed about in public, so I'm almost glad of the pandemic keeping me at home until I'm more recovered. I am under the impression that the loudness and slightly unusual sound is due to the lingering Botox, so I'm hoping that changes one day as well.
Otherwise, I honestly can't recommend it enough to anyone who is unsure, it's like a dream to have a way to release all that trapped air and knowing that things should continue to gradually improve and I can help with practice is amazing. I'm definitely experiencing difficulty swallowing, and food getting stuck in your throat until you sip water is pretty unpleasant, but suffering through that for a bit feels more than worth it for the results! (Also luckily I rather like soup). I am noticing a bit less bloating and flatulence but that hasn't completely disappeared (much like the gurgling), but it all feels like a step in the right direction.
I'm very hopeful about my progress, but keen to continue managing my expectations as I know that sometimes these things don't pan out perfectly, so I'll give another update in a couple weeks if people want! I'm a pretty active member of the subreddit so it's no trouble at all. Hope you're all having a lovely and relatively bloat free evening/day/night wherever you are :)
Hello everyone! This is my first ever reddit post but I've been around on the subreddit a little while now and I owe a handful of lovely Redditors a lot for allowing me to find out about this condition and how to get treated, so I thought I'd do my best to pass on the favour to others.
I learned about Ms Lucy Hicklin as a possible alternative treatment option to Mr Karagama and chose to pursue treatment with her as I was keen to avoid the high price and the general anaesthetic if possible. Additionally, from my early communications with another staff member, I was under the impression there would be a longer wait for treatment with him than with Ms Hicklin.
In non-pandemic times Ms Hicklin can have a consultation and treat with Botox on the same day, but due to the current situation I had to have a phone consultation prior to attending the hospital (Parkside Hospital in Wimbledon) in person today, which somewhat extended my wait time, but not horribly. This was also linked to the fact that I was hoping to get my treatment paid for by my health insurance provider (WPA) and they needed to know I had actually spoken to a doctor before agreeing to pay for anything. Unfortunately, after making me jump through about a million hoops and wait ages WPA still refused to pay, I believe because it is (as we well know) a poorly understood and underexplored condition. Annoying, because I could have been treated sooner for sure.
Either way, I had a nice phone call with Ms Hicklin on March 1st (I think) where we discussed my symptoms and she agreed R-CPD was the most likely diagnosis, and then I was able to book my treatment for today a couple weeks after that. Obviously this wasn't a completely smooth process, but I know that other people have had a lot more difficulty and incurred many more costs getting treatment, so I feel very happy!
I should add, I did talk to my GP a few times about this throughout November - January, but I can't deny he seemed pretty detached and confused by the whole thing. He put me on Omezaprole, then ordered a test for another possible issue, then promptly seemed to forget it all the next time we spoke. I certainly don't hold this against him, it can't possible be a madder time to be a GP, but I want to encourage everyone to have the confidence to advocate for their own health when these things happen. There was no one more bothered by my passion to get treatment than my Mum, who doubted absolutely everything I said and was desperate f
... keep reading on reddit ➡Hi everyone!
Considering how expensive the botox procedure is for R-CPD I have been looking for someone who can perform the procedure for a cheaper price. I came across Lucy Hicklin, a London-based ENT consultant. She has been mentioned in this forum previously, nevertheless I thought I would share the email I got from her, along with an attached information leaflet about the condition. It seems impossible to share screenshots along with text, so I’ll just copy and paste it for you.
The email:
Dear X,
Thank you for contacting Ms Hicklin about R-CPD. Please find attached an information leaflet about the condition.
Ms Hicklin would be happy to see you for a consultation and, if you both decide to go ahead, the injection can be done at the same time. If you are interested, please call Parkside Hospital in Wimbledon, SW19 5NX on 020 8971 8026 and ask for a 30 minute, face to face, appointment. Please also request that the EMG machine is available.
Ms Hicklin will charge £650 if you have the injection done at the appointment. Otherwise, she will charge £200 for a self pay consultation, if you just have the consultation. The cost for the actual Botox needs to be paid direct to the hospital and will be up to £150.
As travel is not advised at present, please check all the UK guidelines and rules before you decide to go ahead. It may be advisable to wait for a few months at least before travelling to London.
Kind regards, Rachel Secretary to Ms Hicklin
The attached information leaflet:
Retrograde Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction (R-CPD) -Inability to Burp. Lucy Hicklin Consultant ENT, FRCS ORL H&N.
I am a consultant ENT surgeon with more than 11 years’ experience of treatment of patients with complex disorders of swallowing and voice. This means I regularly use botulinum toxin(BTX) as part of their treatment. I work in the NHS at St Georges NHS Foundation Trust and privately at Parkside Hospital in Wimbledon.
R-CPD is a recently described condition and it is not widely known or understood in general practice, gastroenterology or ENT. Unfortunately for patients, they will often have many years of symptoms, unsatisfactory consultations and negative tests before finding out for themselves via the internet what the problem is. The majority of people I now see with this condition are self-referred after finding my name on an internet search.
Typically, the patients are young and predominantly male. They will have been aware from childhood that they
And I’ve had my first burps!!!
Procedure took place Monday morning at Parkside Private hospital, in and out within the hour; the initial consultation was basically a long list of my symptoms, signing for the procedure and talking through the risks (if she got the wrong muscle might not be able to breathe, but as you guessed from the title it’s looking good so far). After that I purchased the Botox from the pharmacy and then the actual injection took no longer than 5 mins. Not gonna lie having to swallow with a needle sticking in your throat wasn’t exactly comfortable, but it was totally manageable, total cost paid on the day was £763, although she did warn I may get a hospital bill for an £100 facilities charge.
For the first 12 hours I had a slightly sore throat and a ‘lump’ sensation, but eating and drinking was no problem, I mean aside from the usual gurgles, bloat etc - the no burp life. Then at 24 hours I noticed that my throat felt...weird...it felt like I had mucous right in the middle of my throat and swallowing became difficult, but she’s explained this was a normal side effect so I wasn’t worried.
Then, this morning on my way into work I had insane gurgles. I was driving so couldn’t really move my head much but without warning a burp just happened! Then another! I had 3 micro burps in a half hour drive which is more than I’ve had in the last 12 months so I’ll take that. Throughout the rest of the day I’ve still had insane gurgles but they’re broken up by a mix of micro burps and I’d say 3-4 big-ish burps.
I have absolutely no control over the burps so far, and I am still getting insane gurgles and swallowing isn’t great, but long as I’ve got a glass of water to sip on its fine. Oh, I have discovered that burps taste DISGUSTING!
Happy to answer any questions! Good luck to all those on their noburp Botox journeys!
Day 3
I woke up to discover I am in fact, a deflating balloon - or at least that what it feels like. Burped the moment I woke up, swallowing still isn’t the best and when I had my morning coffee (well, decaf cos caffeine makes my anxiety extra spicy), and I was pretty much burping after every sip. I am still getting gurgles but rather than just go on forever they actually seem to make my way up my throat and escape. It’s bloody weird and I have absolutely no control over it at all. Oh and burps still taste absolutely horrific.
Day 4
Another good day. Haven’t suffered any heartburn, stomach pain or pressure since the burps fir
... keep reading on reddit ➡
Good morning! It's finally here - the final matchup to find out our favorite character of the series!!
Welcome to day thirty-four of the OUAT best character bracket. Thank you so much to everyone who's been voting and making this game possible. Today's matchup is Regina v. Mr. Gold/Rumple. (https://challonge.com/ea01chb2)
I'm going to leave the vote open for an extra day to make sure everyone can get their pick in. I hope you're all as excited as I am!!!
Have a great day!
Out of curiosity.. What do you guys think Regina should do to attract more people and become a better city?
Personally I think downtown should be bigger, maybe some more modern art and buildings down there. I find it’s very outdated and boring. (Just my opinion)
I’d like to see another maxwells style place to open up. Better night life as the clubs here haven’t changed for a long time, a bigger newer mall with better stores and free parking. Saskatoon/Regina are the only malls I’ve ever had to pay for parking in.
Better planed roads. Regina is built like a grid road and doesn’t have good paced flow, it’s very stop and go.
These are just some things I came up with. What do you guys think would make Regina a more attractive city for people to move to?
Hi all! I finally had my botox procedure on Wednesday.
I had been waiting for microburps or something to appear to make a post but i guess ill just write down my experience now.
Female, 28, UK
On day 1, at night i had what i would describe as my throat opening and letting air out. There was no taste, no burp, no relief. But it felt like it opened for a second.
Same thing on night 2. Just 1 opening of throat. No relief yet.
Though i have been drinking a lot of carbonated drinks and i havent felt as bad as i usually would. (I like to have a red bull while i lay down usually, these pasts days ive been able to have up to 3 fizzy drinks with not tooooo much discomfort, thou have been drinking while at home and relaxed)
On day 3 i drank some gin and sprite. As we all probably know alcohol feels like shit after, but this time it was alright. I drank only 2 shots probably and i was able to randomly have my throat open 3 times.
Today is day 4 and so far i've had no side effects. I can eat as if nothing, i even have more appetite, thought the gurgles are still there it does feel a tiny bit less uncomfortable.
For the procedure itself if anyone is scared about it. I have a phobia of inyections and lucy was able to get a nurse to hold my hand and both were really nice about my fear. The whole needle in throat ordeal lasted 2 minutes and the pain was probably 4/10. It feels weird, and it did hurt BUT it was for such a small amount of time it is totally worth it.
Ive read that botox takes 3-5 days to start taking effect, and then 2 weeks for the full effect. So im trying to remain hopeful that the burps will come.
If anyone has any tips or stories to share with similar experiences please do tell.
Thanks fellow noburpers!
Hi I have my appointment next month, I was just looking to see if anyone who had the in office procedure with Dr hicklin if 1. The treatment didn't work at all and 2. If after a few months when the botox wears off if you are back to square one and lost the ability to burp.
Thanks in advance
Hi, can anyone who’s had surgery with Dr Hicklin in the UK tell me what it was like?
Good morning! Today we get to vote on the Final Four!!
Welcome to day thirty-three of the OUAT best character bracket. Thank you so much to everyone who's been voting and making this game possible. Today's first matchup is Regina and Killian/Hook. (https://challonge.com/ea01chb2)
Have a great day!
Good morning! Today we enter round 3 of the bracket.
Welcome to day twenty-six of the OUAT best character bracket. Thank you so much to everyone who's been voting and making this game possible. Today's first pairing is Regina and Jefferson. (https://challonge.com/ea01chb2)
Have a great day!
Good morning! First day of voting for the second round today!
Welcome to day eighteen of the OUAT best character bracket. Thank you so much to everyone who's been voting and making this game possible. Today's first pairing is Regina and Roland. (https://challonge.com/ea01chb2)
Have a great day!
Happy Monday everyone! If you're working today, I hope these little polls are brightening up your workday.
Welcome to day four of the OUAT best character bracket. Thank you so much to everyone who's been voting and making this game possible. Today's first matchup is between Graham the huntsman from the earlier seasons, and the wish realm Regina. (https://challonge.com/ea01chb2)
Have a great day!
