United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Greetings everyone! My name is Sam, I'm 30 years old, and I've had my BPI for about 5 months now. I am (or was, depending on your perspective) a truck driver whose right shoulder got yanked by a spring-loaded trailer device. I had no feeling in my hand (other than half my ring finger and little finger) and couldn't move anything below my wrist.
It's been 5 months and I have a lot of pain in my shoulder, but I have gained a bit of motion in my fingers (my thumb still doesn't work) but most of my hand is still numb. I never thought that after 5 months I'd be in this much pain still! My doctor initially prescribed Naprosyn and Vicodin (Vicodin doesn't do much for me) but switched me up to Oxycodone after a flare-up a couple months ago.
I've been doing light duty work for my company, but since I can't write with my left hand (I'm right-handed!), can't really carry anything, they figure all I can do is answer a phone. But since my pain is keeping me up the past few nights, I figured I'd seek out some support from people whove been in my shoes.
Thanks...Sam

PS--Feel free to ask anything I neglected to mention

Hi, Sam. What helped my son was (daily) 3600 Neurontin, 200 Topomax & 100 Amitriptyline (elavil). Could be some of this could be added to your current meds & help. If you haven't yet, you might consider getting under the care of a pain specialist. There's a lot of trial & error in figuring out what works best for each individual, & there's benefit to finding someone w/experience in that.

Also, another new bpi (all five avulsed last Sept) is sleeping better by taking 5-HTP (short for L-5-Hydroxytryptophan 50 mg) at bedtime. I believe this has the same ingredient that makes you sleepy after eating turkey. You can get it at the health food store.

Let us know how we can help. Are you under the care of a bpi specialist??

Take care,

Ellen

I'm not quite at that stage just yet to be prescribed any neurological meds. I visited my orthopedic surgeon a couple days ago, and got my meds upped to Oxycontin for my pain, and some Ambien to help me sleep. I also asked him to refer me to a neurologist, (my appointment is in a couple weeks) so hopefully I'll get a definitive answer to my condition.
Thanks for responding, Ellen!

Sam

I guess my topic isn't that interesting to you folks. Anyway, for those who are keeping track, I saw my neurologist this week, and he scheduled me for another electro-diagnostic study to determine if I need additional testing. That test is on the 10th of this month, and then I go for a follow-up with the neurologist, and also my orthopedic surgeon. Wish me the best!
Sam

i've been on neorontin as well. 2700 and still have pain. It does help more than traditional painkillers.

I got into a motorcycle accident back in july 2005. The person ran a stopsign and hit me so hard i went through his window and my nerve was cut at the neck.
I went for 2 emg's in the last 6 months.

I'm going to go for an MRI. What the doctors ae looking to do is a nerve transplant from my foot to my left shoulder. The prceedure is relatively new. From what I've read, just 2005. If I'm good candidate, I'll be going for it.

Sam, I'm not a doctor, but it sounds like you need to go to a BPI specialist, the sooner the better. Neurologist can't do anything for you! And you need to go to pain management to get your meds straighten out because the pain is the worst, they will make it a little better. You also need to go to OT, if you have not already started.

Robin

How did the tests go, Sam?

Are you or were you having anything like an EMG? After these kinds of tests they should pretty much know if the nerves of the BP are at least intact and conducting impulses.

An MRI scan wouldn't go amiss either, but either way, all these tests can really only strongly indicate what is wrong.

Most surgeons who are really experienced with these complicated injuries (and I can't stress the word 'experienced' enough) will tell you that if there are any doubts at all, the only way they can definitely diagnose the injury is to go in and have a good look, with possibly an in situ EMG on the exposed nerves.

I'm not a doctor, but have a TBPI for 13 years now and have been studying the injury for years. We have a large support group in the U.K. and between us, we have many years experiences with these injuries...just wanted to let you know in case you thought I was being a smart a*se! lol ;0)

Please let us know how you got on with the tests.

Lizzyb

Thanks Lizzy,
As of today, I've had two EMG's...they should just call it "torture" but I'm not in charge
My doctor gave me a preliminary diagnosis, stating that there is limited conductivity in my BP. While my nerves may have their outer skin intact that can send some signals, he said its likely 75-90% of the interior nerve fibers were broken. He told me to prepare for the day that I'm 'recovered,' but he was honest and said I may never get 100% usage out of my hand.
So the results go to my neurologist, who I'll see on the 18th and we'll figure out my options.
Sam

Hi Sam
Hopefully there is some of the nerve fibres intact-they have amazing regenerative properties. Let us know what the neuro says, is he or she actually a tbpi doctor? The reason I ask is because most tbpi doctors I know of are either orthos or hand surgeons. Don't hesitate to get a second opinion from one of the doctors listed in the medical section of this site, be sure to choose one whose main interst is adult trauma injury. Don't let anyone tell you nothing can be done!
Take care, keep us posted :0)

Here's my update as of today. My neurologist reviewed the findings and determinations from the Dr who performed the EMG test. He repeated a couple of things that were covered by the other doctor, (that I may never fully recover) but also said anything is possible. I then asked if there was any medication to prevent the tremors I get at night, and he prescribed Neurontin. There are quite a few steps I'll have to take to get to full dosage of 1800mg.
There was but one catch...Neurontin is EXPENSIVE! i was amazed that 180 pills cost over $270! So needless to say I'm not taking it just yet. It may take a couple days for my workers compensation case worker to get me a prescription card so I can finally pick it up. I'm of the understanding that I won't feel much of an effect until I get to 900mg? Does the dosing usually go M-0 A-0 E-300 M-0 A-0 E-600 M-300 A-0 E-600....and so on until M-600 A-600 E-600?
Wish me luck tomorrow...2 more doctor appointments...wheee!

Sam