United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I am 3 years post injury. Zero surgeries. I have regained a good bet of flexion, hardly any extension. I hate worst of all the atrophy in my upper arm. Clothes fall off my shoulder. Is there any hope for recovery almost 3 years after time of injury? I know doctors say 2 years, but is it possible?


Message was edited by: mnr0001

Dustin is 3 1/2 yrs post accident and still seeing improvement. Have you seen a BPI specialist? This would be a good place to start. It's probably too late for nerve graphs but there may be other options out there.
You have found the right place for support and understanding here with everyone that knows exactly what you're going through.
Sue

You definitely need to see a BPI doctor - We went to the Mayo Clinic as did so many others that frequent this site. My dgt. had nerve and muscle transfers. As Sue said, it may be too late for nerve transfers, but perhaps a muscle transfer could be done for your upper arm. Melanie's arm was extremely atropied and now, 3 and 1/2 years later her upper arm looks "normal."

I saw a specialist at at a Childrens Hospital (i was 17 at the time of the accident)As soon as i turned 18 he released me and said he had done all he could do. Now looking back, I wonder if he just released me because I was no longer considered a child???

I don't think that was the reason he released you. We were surprised to find that many doctors are unaware of the proper treatment of brachial plexus injuries. Many still have that "wait and see" attitude and many simply are not aware of the advances in what can be done for people with these types of injuries or where to look for help.

There will always be hope.
If we give up on hope we give up on ourselves.

Hi. I just passed my third year last month.
To celebrate I didn't take any of my meds for the day.
Holy Hands On Fire Batman!!! I will never do that again. When I did take my meds later that night they worked just as the plan is supposed to. It took 45mins. to an hour
I had recently lured myself into a state of denial. I actually thought I was on the backside of this thing ready to manipulate my hand into working again.
Man o man was I wrong.
Used to be fire bombs up and down my arm and a crushing feeling on my hand alone.
Now I can raise my arm to a point, bend my elbow and 'flap' my hand. There is nothing good happening with my hand. I can hold things in between my fingers and they won't move and I can't feel them.
Considering where I was at this time three years ago...I would've expected more. Lots more.
I'm really tired of all the pain and all the pills.
I don't know what is going to happen next but I can't be held liable...I'm sorry but this sucks too much now.
I'm sorry. I know this isn't what you wanted to hear.
This is only me. Everybody is different.
Best of luck to you. Oh yes...happy anniversary...
Scott
http://www.freerice.com

Okay folks, easy does it. I've been around the boards again, it's been awhile. Our stories can't help but pick each other up.
I think we need each other.
Am I right?


Message was edited by: swhite1


Message was edited by: swhite1

I am four years post injury and continue to see improvements. I have not had any surgery and in the beginning it was thought best to amputate. I didn't do it. I lived with the pain and kept moving forward. I almost gave up hope. Until today. I met with Dr. Nath today and he is going to do a free muscle transfer with a 50/50 chance of getting the use of my hand back. What i have learned is that nerves never give up. It is the muscle that withers up and dies. in the biginning it was thought that I had avulsed all the nerves, however slowly but surely my shoulder came back into socket, my shoulder began moving, my bicep came alive, and now I have feeling all the way to the middle of my forearm. And as of today Dr. Nath is working on getting me scheduled for a muscle transfer. Ohh Happy Day!
So thankful,
brandon

I am 22 years post accident/nerve graph surgery. I am still in recovery and gaining new rejeneration even today after several decades. You will most likely be healing all your life as the brain tries to reattached the injured nerves. Be patient, stay positive. Believe in your body's natural healing abilities. All things are possible, if you BELIEVE Imagine your body healing the nerves. Keep moving your shoulder and arm in your mind's eye. All these therapies work. I am living proof. Stay strong & walk in balance. Mardelle

yes, you are right. we all do need each other. i'm sorry i didn't find this site earlier. we all have, in one way or another, been heavily impacted by a BPI injury. whether at birth, in an accident, whatever, these injuries have changed our lives forever. i will be logging onto this page as often as i can, hopefully, at least every other day. just please know that you are not alone, there are so many people that have been altered by this tragic injury. i watch my 6 year old son try to do things, and it breaks my heart. he has come a long way, but there are many things he will never do. how do you explain that to a child? but the Good Lord will help him keep his head up, and all of you too. anyone who wants to speak with me can email me @ josieclove@yahoo.com.
wendy

I think my own personal philosophy. Be happy with what you got instead of what is not!
I have my eyes to watch my children grow. I have a brain that functions not too badly. I can laugh. Do a slight jog with my legs. I can love freely and the pain and loss remind me daily to keep strong, stay focused. There is nothing sad about any of this. The loss is how society views you and how you allow it to place you in their messy little box.
All people with some form of disability or another...do not conform...So you have the choice...to let your experiences drag you down, or you can just get busy and keep living, doing things the very best you can. To heck with the narrow shallow minded thoughts of others about your physical appearance. For it is their issue not yours.
Smile. Walk Proud...for you have much to share and teach the people in this World...no time for anything negative...it only adds to your pain...Take life and make it yours and find what ever good quality of life you can carve for yourself...We are all in this for the long haul...helping and learning along the way..
With Love & Light
Mardelle