United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My name is Becky and I am married to Chris. He was in a major MVA in 2007. He is now 33. He is a walking miracle. But its been such a long road and a rollercoaster of ups and downs. Chris had his left forearm ripped off when his pick-up collided with a grain truck on his way to work. He had a ton of injuries and was rushed to the hospital. He went straight into surgrey for his abdominal bleeding. They transfused him with over 18 units of blood. Thank goodness he is a big man! They got that under controll and then concentrated on reimplanting his left forearm telling me that he could regain 50%-80% use with feeling returning in 2 years. After 7 months of no arm recovery they sent us to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN where he was diagniosed with a severe brachial plexus injurt and horner's syndrome. He underwent nerve transfer for his biceps and triceps to regain some elbow and they worked in his shoulder to clean up scarring. His shoulder is doing great but his elbow took a second surgery to remove his radial head so he could bend it. His left arm has no touch feeling from above the elbow down. He has burned it on the stove got it caught on things and scratched. It gets freezing cold (he can't feel that) to the touch and turns all shades of colors. Due to the reimplation Mayo clinic did not want to do any reconstruction for his hand. Chris has so much pain. He is a patient at a pain clinic. He has a ton of issues with his pitutary not functioning properly and has bad sweats and hypertension episodes. He has bad sleep apnea. He has dizzy episodes at random times with periods of nausea. He is so tired all the time. He was diagnosed with a TBI even though he has a normal MRI. He is also diagnoised with autonomic dysfunction. Do others have circulation problems with there BPI. Do others have problems with their autonomic nervous systems and abnormal pitutary issues. With him we are at a standstill in recovery. For the pain he is on oxy, lyric, and effexor. He does accuputure. He is exhausted ALL of the time. I guess I don't know what direction to go. Any advice would be so helpful. Thank-you, Becky

What a journey I would take a time out for a vacation some-ware ? Stand still is when I was born ERBS in the 50s< What treatment?? Now, I think there is way to much pressure on these injuries getting fix than Direction that have a MAZZZZ
at points getting the right treatment in time. There is no injury that comes with direction and your on a GREAT path so far,I think It seem to me in my life I could adapt to something and somethings NOT Maybe in time a treatment will work better and made to fit the injury. I am in Awwww But till then treatment change over a life time to, by FAct. Second options are a most,thing change is this doctor the best for the limitation that are left ?? JUST THINKING
Mr Positive,
Tom

Hello and welcome to the site. Glad you found it. Like most of us on here, you guys have really been through A LOT. I had multiple major body injuries like your husband, though I have him beat at 36 units of blood, lol ( not an award anyone wants to win. ) It's pretty amazing that they were able to reattach the arm. Mine was basically internally amputated, but they managed to keep it on me. The pain, numbness, and circulation issues are something we all experience here to a certain degree, some worse, some less. As you look through the site you will find a wealth of advice, information, and most of all SUPPORT. It sounds like you guys are really fighting hard so don't loose hope and try stay positive (which no matter who you are, can be very difficult at times).
Good luck,
Ang

Thanks for the reply's. He is discharged from the BPI clinic in Rochester. From a functioning standpoint the left arm is what it is. I think we will find a neurologist locally. Chris saw a neurologist in Mayo and an autonomic specialist there. But our insurance is an HMO and they give me heck when we go to Mayo and it gets to be a big mess. Right now we are fighting like crazy to see the sleep apnea clinic in Mayo to see if they can help Chris with his exhaustion so he can try to live a normal life instead of be scared to be out and about and have an episode of narcolespy or dizziness and sweating which is followed by him feeling so ill. I think if he can get his sleep apena treated his pain would also reduce. I think a new doc in the picture is what is needed. A fresh perspective. I saw on the boards that increased activity with the affected limb helps the pain. Chris has found that makes it way worse. Or does he need to give that more of a chance.
But on an up note. He is a very talented gamer. He can beat most of his buddies on XBOX 360. He plays one of the joysticks with his nose.
I am thankful to find some people who understand. We have only met one person at Mayo clinic with a similar injury. Most of our friends and family completely DON'T GET IT and how the pain affects him and then try to blame some of his medical issues on his pain meds or that he is depressed..and i say duh..ya never visit...grrrr He hates taking meds but without them he would have no quality of life what so ever.
Thanks for the support. Becky

First I want to say congratulations on finding this site. Today marks 3 years since my injury. It is amazing they were able to reattach the arm. I identified with some of the same issues on not feeling...I have burned myself 2 times because of lack of feeling. If you have been to the Mayo Clinic, you have been to the best in the country for TBPI. On this site you are going to find many people who identify with you and can help you learn to live with the ramifications of an injury like yours.

Keep up the good fight!

Hi Becky,

My husband also had an accident. My husband has dysautonomia, I am guessing that;s what our husband has. Is he on any meds, my husband is on fludrocortisone and meclisine and it helps greatly. We found a neurologist at the local parkinson's center that also specializes in Dysautonomia. I know that this is a long road and sometimes my husband also doesnt want to drink his meds either....eventually you go finding a great team of Dr.'s, but it takes a while. We live in FL and travel to St. Louis,MO for surgery. Definately worth the travel. Please feel free to message me.