United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi there,
I have recently past my 1st year anniversary, since a motorcycle accident. i now have no use of my left arm. i realise that it is probably still early days. but i haven't spoken to anyone with a similar injury yet and i am interested to know what i should or shouldn't expect? I stumbled across this site and feel that i have everything to benifit from it. I am receiving help from a local rehab centre. it would be nice be able to really relate to someone.
thanks tim...

Hi Tim,
Most of the guys on this board are here due to motorbikes,or motorbike accidents.

You dont say if you have yet had any surgery ,or if you need any,Its v difficult to inform you of any recovery timescale or possable regained function without a little more detail.

Are you seeing a bpi specialist? do you know if youve stretched or avulsed any nerves.

Although 1 year is a short time with this injury,your nearing the end of the ever important time scale,in so far as surgery is conserned if you have not had any.

Welcome to the boards Tim , theres a lot of people here that can help you.

karl

ps where you from?

Hi Tim, i agree with everything Karlos has said, & you will definately get a lot of usefull information on this site. I'm 6 days away from my 3rd anniversary(climbing accident) & it has passed realy quick,but keep posting on the board & you will get plenty of support & help off everybody. It helped me a great deal, so take care.

bigsel

hi tim, and welcome aboard, you're an Aussie i think??? i'm in the process of becoming a kiwi (but i think brits basically just stay brits...or poms....wherever they are, we just learn some new slang) anyway i mailed you :0)

Hi, I'm new to this also. My husband David had a bicycle accident a year ago, he has had 2 repair and transfer surgeries. His consultant/surgeon is a Mr. Birch who is based in London. We have had trouble finding other adults with this type of injury, it is normally found in babies! Where are you in your treatment programme? Have u had surgery? If so what for? The hardest thing about this injury is the fact that David can no longer work and gets bored sat at home talking to his 4 year old daughter. Give him a message it will make his day!!!!

hi cheryl (and husband!). There are a lot of adults with this injury in the UK, there are around 4 times more new injuries to adults each year than there are to babies there. having said that, until last year i only met one other tbpi there in the 22 yrs since my bpi. a new adult support group is being formed right now and last year several of us met up, it was great! there are several living in and around London, hopefully someone will contact you and your husband will feel less isolated. Please feel free to email anyone here by clicking on their name, if we can offer any insight into what he is going through we would be glad to. take care :0)

hello Tim.....sorry you stumbled....but glad you landed here. I'm a lefty bpi from a big fat tree, little over two years ago.....was not on a motorcycle at the time, but definately standing in the wrong place. A guy asked me one time "how do you let a tree fall on you?" Told him it was easy, I didn't have to do a thing ) Everyone kind of moves away from me now during thunderstorms. Gotta have a little laugh with this mess. Certainly nice to meet you, and I can definately relate !!!!! What kind of prognosis did the docs give you early on ???

George

Hi Cheryll....welcome aboard. I'm in the U.S. I've heard lots of good things about Mr. Birch. Glad you found this site.....it's a real blessing.

I still go to therapy once a month, but do a lot of it here at home. I found it not only keeps the joints good and loose, but it also helps with the pain when the blood can flow a little more to the arm. I havn't had any surgery. On my doctors advice, I chose to wait for natural recovery, which has happened...to some degree.

Tell David.........no....wait........hey David !!! You readin' this ??? I can remember my days at home with my four year old. I learned a lot during that time. You know.....things like all the names of all the toys that Burger King has ever given away in a kids meal ???? Pulling for you David. Drop us a line )

George

Hi cheryl, welcome aboard, sorry to hear about your husbands injury, i've had my bpi for 3yrs now i had some nerve graphs done about 6 weeks after my accident& i was told to wait atleast 18 months before i would notice any improvement, but sadly there was none. But that does'nt mean to say your hubbys won'nt, i was off my work for 2 years & i had to sit at home looking after my son(who had just been born 3 weeks after my accident)& i thought it was great, we have a great bond with him, it might not have been the same if i had been working, i got back to my work 1 year ago(i work for the council throwing black bags into a refuse cart)so i was quite lucky i could go back work. what does your hubby at his work? try & get him to keep himself busy & get out the house as much as he can, i was out every single day with my son & when my better half came home we would go out again just to stop me getting board. By the way i come from Scotland & as other people have said there are plenty of people with the same injury, you will get a lot of support & advice on this site.

take care, bigsel

Hi Tim,

In regards to your one year anniversary, let me just say this: it gets easier. I have had my BPI for over 5 years, and I remember what it was like in the beginning. As a person with a somewhat short temper and fiercely independent, I was blowing up almost all the time because I couldn't accomplish a task by myself. Now, there is very little I cannot do. I tell people, "it might take me a little longer, I might do a little differently, but I can do it. Now, honestly, I still blow up and get frustrated, but few and far between. So just remember, it gets easier, but it always going to be a little bit harder for people like us. So just keep in mind that with some adapting, conecentrating, and a little work, there will very little, if nothing, that you can't do!