United Brachial Plexus Network

Thomas had primary at 5 1/2 months old c5-6 partal rupture and large neroma and c7 complete rupture. so 3 nerve grafts. 14 1/2 months 5 weeks ago Mod Quad. He is out of his splint. But he keeps pulling his arm crying. waking up holding it crying. At therapy today she notice when she would rub a toy over his arm his hair on his arm would stand up and he would slap at his arm. So we think he is feeling something. Can you help me understand what he is feeling he is only 15 months old and still is not talking so the only way he can tell me it hurts is crying and pulling at it. I have called TCH and they told me the needles and pins feeling and I have given him motrin but is there any thing else I can do to help him feel better so far a hot bath is the only thing I can find to calm him down.
Help!!!!!!!!! Thanks Carron

Carron,

I had some of this feeling post mod quad. It is indeed like a pins and needles feeling, kind of like when your arm falls asleep, but different. It is a tickling feeling internally. Sometimes it felt like a bug was crawling on my arm. I'd look and nothing was there. Other times it is a zinging feeling, like when you hit your 'funny bone' (which is actually your ulnar nerve). It is not constant, it comes and goes. Some days I would have it a lot and other days not at all.

Nothing really helped except distraction. And it is not really painful if that comforts you somewhat. It is just an odd feeling.

Hopefully what it is signalling is an innervation of the nerve and a return of sensation and that is a very very good thing.

Nancy

Michael also had this post MOD QUAD... it was described as stinging, and pain... he had no feeling before... it did last a couple of months on and off..we used pain med...it did help some not totally.. the good news is he can now feel some things.

It will improve... hang in there..!

Hi Carron!

I have a 8 month old who had the primary at 5 months. After we removed the binder and started pt, Tara started doing the same as you describe. She would just start screaming out of the blue and then pulling at her left arm. On the 3 days a week we have pt, she seemed to be worse.

Her pediatrician told me that it couldn't possibly hurt her. I understand that there are different levels of pain and that maybe she was just uncomfortable, but the look in her eyes as she screams tells me otherwise.

I took her to see a pain management specialist at the local Children's. He said yes, it does hurt, and to give her motrin as well. Point: go with YOUR gut feeling.

I also discussed her pain with her pts' (she has 3). Now, during the last 10 minutes of each pt session, she gets a massage. Lucky her! They use baby powder and gently massage her arm starting at her shoulder area and working all the way down and out her fingers. They have only been doing this for 2 weeks now and I have cut back on the Motrin to only at night. She is much happier and I feel she is in LESS PAIN!

You may want to try it. Besides, there is something magical about touch! Good Luck!

I always gave my child motrin aabout 1 hour before therapy....the pain never seemed to bother him until one day I FORGOT.....trust me I never forgot again !!!

Good luck I know that is hurts us as much as it hurts them !!!

Carron,
If you're open to acupuncture or Reiki I'd suggest that.
Cindy

I posted before... but for many of these children ...it's the nerve "reawakening" not therapy or muscular use that is the cause... For my son it helped to massage...ONLY when the arm was feeling OK if you try to touch it during the time it is ... stinging or burning... even a light brush... It would cause excrutiating pain.....while I'm only a parent I wouldn't recommend it

Carron

When I was young my Mom did warm olive oil massage...
Keeping our little arms warm is not always easy.... You may feel his arm is cool.... while he may feel as if its freezing and not know how to express his feelings....
I also use the ginger oil when my arm is tight and tired... and freezing......I have my husband rub it on... It warms my arm and I relax.... when my arm is cold (which is most of the time) I get so uncomfortable.... I always carry a long sleeve jacket, blouse... to cover my arm.... I use to think I did this for cosmetics but I just realized that it was another natural compensation......

I tried not to bring jackets or long sleeve shirts with me when going out... and each time my arm was so cold... I was annoyed at myself for trying to do without it....

Kath