United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hey,

How's everyone doing? My name is Brian I'm 20 and I have brachial plexus in my left shoulder. I have gone to specialists for it before but never a BP specialist.

I have read on here and other places about a Dr.Nath in Texas. Does he treat and do surgery on adults? Does he take patients that don't live in the U.S.? I live in south Ontario.

Any help you could give would be great.

Thanks

Hi Brian
yes to both your questions you can email him at drnath.drnath@drnathmedical.com he responds to all email personally or you can go to his website at drnathbrachialplexus.com Dr Nath also does free clinics you can get a list of where he will be from the web site. I know Feb 18,19,20 he will be in Newark NJ
hope this helps Mare

sorry its early the email is drnath@drnathmedical.com

WELCOME,Brian,

Mayo Clinic in MN is the other BPI Specialists who see and serve Adults with BPI'S.

There are Topic threads from adults who have had surgeries/evaluations from both Specialists. Just type their name in the SEARCH FORUM BOx at the top of the page and the posts will come up.

You are welcome on the "Adults With Traumatic BPI'S" Message Board also.

Carolyn J

Welcome Brian!
I am also 20 years old but getting ever so close to 21. You can email Dr. Nath, he replies quickly if my memory serves me. I am being treated at the Mayo in MN and love it there. I have the perfect doctor for me.

If I am remembering correctly both facilities take and treat patients from outside the US. Insurance/cost is going to be a huge factor. I just had a surgery in May at the Mayo and thank goodness for insurance because it was spendy. Lucky for me, Mayo is in network because I live in MN.

If you want to read more on my treatment and my injury, I have a website that I update at least once a month and more if I have a ton going on. Its www.freewebs.com/bpimn
There is a journal on there where you will find the updates. There are also a few pics of different surgeries (splints/casts).

If you want to share and dont mind me asking, what are your limitations? Do you have hand function?

Hope to see you around more often!
Amy 20 years old ROBPI (right obstetrical brachial plexus injury) from MN

Hey everyone thanks for the help, I think I will give Dr. Nath an email. If there is a clinic in NJ I should go. I just need to find out the costs because I would think it is very expensive.

Hey Amy,
My shoulder is not that noticeable my close friends don't realize it is worse then they think. My limitations are I cannot lift my hand above my head. I have very good hand function and that is why it is not very noticeable.

Do you mind if i ask what your limitations are and how you deal with them?

thanks a lot

Brian

My limitations...
I can only get my hand to the top of my head but thats only if I arch my back too.
I have no pronation past neutral, meaning I cant turn my hand palm down
I cant get my arm all the way straight, I have an elbow contracture.
My wrist is very weak in extension as are my fingers.


How I deal with these limitations...
I am on these message boards daily trying to help others, in turn that helps me deal with it. But other than that I try to keep a positive attitude knowing that I can do anything that I put my mind to but it might be done differently than the average person does. I also overuse my left arm/hand. Thats not a good thing to do but it gets things done.
I am also very involved in my care. I am still in therapy and infact, I am starting a new therapy within the next couple weeks.

The chiropractors have been saints recently. I would suggest getting checked out if you havent been. I learned that because of my injury my muscles in my back were not balanced and caused my spine to rotate. So they are rotating it back and thats relieved pain and other issues as well, such as heart burn.

It also helps to talk with other adults with this injury especially when having a down day but also to celebrate the little things that can be huge to us.
So I guess thats how I deal with it.
Hugs,
Amy 20 years old ROBPI from MN

hey

sorry for taking so long to respond I've been meaning to come on for awile.

I think it is pretty cool how you deal with it and your outlook on life, how you help people every day on here is great.

I still have problems with it, I do what I do hang out with people and they have no clue that I have an injury and that it bothers me as much as it does. Does it still bother you? what do you do when your down?

thanks

Dr Naths Clinics are free he will be in NJ Feb 18th for I beleive 3 days he had to cancel in jan due to a snow storm
Mare

No problem, life happens...

I am not going to lie and say I only have good days, I have my share of bad days. I am trying to stop being so self conscious when I go out but its hard.

I cant hide my injury from others very well unless I dress in all long sleeves and I cant do that, I get too hot too fast. I have circles on my arm for e-stim electrode placements and they are kind of hard to explain with out giving away my injury.
It bothers me when I go out. Like this past weekend for example, my roommate asked me to go to karoeke with her. I decided to go but had no intention to sing or dance. Dancing makes me the most uncomfortable! Well it wasnt really a choice, she made me sing by signing me up for a song. But the dancing never happened. So I am the only one not dancing, its really akward. Makes you more aware that your a bit different.

My friends just think I dont like to dance. Thats not 100% true, I would like to dance if I wasnt so different from every one else in all the dancing moves. Thats my weak spot I guess. I havet gotten past it yet, but maybe someday.

What do I do when I am down? I post updates on my website www.freewebs.com/bpimn or write emails to Kath or other bpi friends. Or go do my therapy or work out(that doesnt happen as often as it should). Or for some reason doing more research seems to help too.

Hugs,
Amy