PhD Jeanette Koht, Norway
About Jeanette Koht
Working with Dystonia and treatment since 2001. Adviser for Norwegian Dystonia Association (NDF) for many years Last Project together with NDF: Dystonia and physiotherapy Trained neurologist in 2006 PhD Hereditary cerebellar diseases Head of Department of Neurology Oslo University Hospital.
The Norwegian Dystonia Association arranged a webinar with Jeanette Koht 7th April 2021. The topics covered were as follows:
1. Corona virus and vaccine
-the situation in Norway and around the world.
-Norway is using the BioNTech Pfizer and Moderna (RNA technology) vaccines.
Best advice: When you are offered the vaccine take it. There are no known risks for dystonia patients. Botulinum injections can be taken the day after, or the day before. Jeanette asked people to follow this link from Dystonia Europe: Care for dystonia in times of Covid-19 , professor Marie Vidailet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6Lm-ULtW88).
2. Botulinum toxin and guided injection
You can get better result by using EMG (electromyography) and ultrasound. All the younger neurologists are now trained to use that.
3. Second opinion
What to do if we feel we do not get sufficient treatment? You are free to change to another hospital or neurologist to get a second opinion, in Norway you have free choice of hospital for your treatment.
Questions, summary
Medication: No new medication, only the old ones that can relieve pain.
Muscles: Do they get thinner when you get injections? Yes, because they are used less.
Can dystonia spread to other parts?: Yes that can happen.
Summary by Sissel Buskerud, Vice President Norwegian Dystonia Association and Treasurer Dystonia Europe
Photo: Jeanette Koht
(a pine with generalized dystonia in beautiful Norway)
