United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi! My 4 yr. old with ROBPI has been having alot of trouble sleeping when it rains. She has woke up at night as well as had trouble going to sleep if it is raining. She says its sore. I am not sure if it is joint swelling or arthritis? Anyone deal with this? I have given her motrin and rub her upper back/shoulder area until she can rest again. I am just trying to figure out what this is. It breaks my heart to think that she will have to deal with this the rest of her life. Heather in GA

Hi Heather!
Rain, humidity, and cold weather have always affected my arm. I've dealt with it for a long time (I'm 50ROBPI). I guess I'd talk to your daughter's doctor on what to take, but it sounds like tendonitis to me. I know that Aleve helps, and I wear a brace on my hand & wrist (I'm wearing it right now), when the pain gets bad enough. I live in Wisconsin. It's been very humid this summer (not much rain), & my tendonitis has been a problem lately.
Hopefully, the doctor can find some kind a relief for someone your daughter's age. Good Luck! My thoughts and prayers are with all of the young parents dealing with this!
Cyndi

I am TBPI but I notice a differnece when the weather changes too. Heat does not seem to bother me but cold, rain, and snow do!! Ginger oil with a nice massage help me a ton!!

COurt

Definitely, I can tell the weather changes. Who needs a barometer when you have a bpi around? There is usually a dull ache in the joint when the weather is humid.

I have noticed over the course of my life that at times, the humidity causes problems more than usual, and those were usually related to hormonal changes -- puberty, pregnancy, menopause, these all seemed to intensify the ache in the shoulder. Don't know why, I just know it happened to worsen then.

Nancy

I am robpi and will just ditto the others.

I use ginger rub, mineral ice and wear an extra sleeve on my right side to sleep.

Kath

Xiggers,

Glad to hear that things might be better with the dry climate in the desert, since we live in a dry climate as well. You don't happen to live in Arizona, do you?

Lisa

Lori
I think we should all apply because we would be more accurate than their computers... LOL..
Kath

Thanks everybody for the ideas to try. At least I can tell my daughter that lots of people who have 'boo-boo' arms hurt when it rains. I always think it helps to know your not alone in life. Unfortunately, we are in GA where we have LOTS of rain. Even in the winter. So if I can figure out how to help her rest better, it will be great. Thanks! Heather

Xiggers,

I am up north, but know lots of people with BPIs in the valley and even a few in Tucson. We are having a gathering in Scottsdale in October. Last time a wonderful woman with an obpi drove all the way up from Tucson to join us. If you would like to be on the mailing list or connect please email me. If you ever need to cool down or want to play in the snow, you can surely visit us.

Lisa
Lisa@ubpn.org

Heather- I know that sometimes warmth can help with this problem. I personally am not a fan of heating pads and electric blankets, especially for kids. But you could try sobakawa(sp) pillows that can be microwaved or refrigerated or old fashioned water bottle filled with warm water or mineral oil. The oil stays warm longer. I hope you find something good. Javier goes through this on chilly mornings. Of course he is a baby, but one can always tell when her baby is in pain. For Javier I warm a gel filled eye mask in warm water and hold it on his shoulder and arm.


MArlyn

p.s sobakawa are also sometimes called buckwheat, i think.