United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My wife and I just returned from a neuorlogist in DC, who said that my wife's BP was caused by a virus, that her body was attacking the nerves due to a virus she had. We know she was not well for about two weeks prior to the BP onset. He also said that she would get progressively better(more strength) but may never achieve full recovery, although she has much more strentgth than a month ago when the neurologist performed some strength tests in his office prior to the needles and electrical impulse type tests. He also recommended exercises that strenthen her upper back, neck and arms. Does this diagnosis and treatment make sense. Everything I have read says BP is the result of some physical trauma.

This makes complete sense to me, though I Am not a doctor. I have heard of a virus causing a BPI before, not extremely common but does occur. The strengthning is probably the best thing to do for it....... ask around here. We (all of us) have been through tons so we will try and help you where possible. you might want to post on the Traumatic Bravhial Plexus Injury Board, as you might get more responses there. Best of luck to yoU!

COurt xx

We have a son with a bpi from birth; however, a friend of my husbands suffered a bpi from a virus over a year ago now. Slowly...very slowly he has regained some strength but it got worse before it started getting better. He actually lost use in both his arms. He is still not at 100%. It is a long process. Take care and God bless.

Hwiggins, what you are talking about is Brachial pLexus Neuritis or Parsonage Turner Syndrome. (There is a lot about this on the web, just do a google search) I had this two years ago and it was very intense and shocking. I lost my left arm for quite a time. I had pneumonia and this was the result of the virus. I went to the chiropractor and he did inteferrential electrical stimuulation, ultrasound and adjustments. At home I did NMES (electrical stimulation) but it wasn't as good as the expensive inteferrential unit at the chiro's office. I also did extensive daily exercise first passively, then actively when it started coming back slowly. My daughter has a bpi from birth and I knew that if I put it in a sling (like my physician told me to do), that it would atrophy and be even hard to get it back. I really pushed myself. It's now two years later exactly and I have good function and pain only once in a while. I read that it can get better fast or anywhere up to 7 years. For me, it was acute for months, but well resolved after about a year and now 2 years later it's fine. Of course everyone is different and each case is very personal. I think getting to a therapist is a good idea and also getting to a chiropractor. Maybe you should be seeing a bpi specialist, too? Best of luck. I hope it resolves quickly for you.