San Diego Fireman needs Dr.

[jawa]

Im a fireman who has been recently diagnosed with a tbpi. This is my first time visiting any sites and amazed by the all the threads. I currently am seeking new dr advise as I have seen 4-5 dr's giving me an assortment of diagnosis from bulged disk to tbri. I have extreem numbness and tingling down left arm and weakness. Diff lifting, turning head left, bendnig and especially sleeping. pain meds are horrible and make me sick and still dont take away the numbness.

The FD has manditoried me back to "light duty" office work and cut my pay. Ive been hurt since dec of 2005 with the dr telling me there is no hope or cure and nothing i can do to fix the nerve damage. Ive had emg's mri xrays.. and see physical threrapy 2-3 times a week but now work comp has said they may stop treatment due to lack of significant improvement.

Im looking for a DR in or around San Diego who can help get me on the right track. My goal is to be able to get back to "normal" , work, swim, surf, fish and play tennis. Any suggestions? Physical therapy hurts like hell, and usually setting me back a day or so after any heavy stretching or lifting (5-10lbs)...

Any suggestions would help.

Thanks and God Bless

[ptrefam]

I found this address on the general board, thought it might be what you are looking for.
http://ubpn.org/medicalresources/ca ... a-bpi.html

[Christopher]

Josh,
Sorry to tell you this, but I searched California thoroughly and didn't find any doctors that I fully trusted that had significant experience w/brachial plexus injuries (mind you, that my right arm, shoulder, & lung were paralyzed and I wanted the very best). Yours sounds like it could possibly be Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, which affects part of the brachial plexus. There are two specialists in Los Angeles that I have seen, that are well trained and experienced peripheral neurosurgeons, for follow ups and about the pain issues. I would see either one of these guys with confidence for a consultation, different perspective, or surgery for a lesser injury than I have...

Here are the two Docs... Edelman & Filler

http://neurosurgery.ucla.edu/Index.html
http://neurosurgery.ucla.edu/Faculty/Ed ... elman.html

FREDRIC L. EDELMAN, M.D.
Associate Clinical Professor, Division of Neurosurgery UCLA

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Westchester Office
Phone: (310) 641-4487
Fax: (310) 641-4596
Van Nuys Office
Phone: (818) 781-3350
Fax: (818) 781-7237
---------------------------

Dr. Aaron Filler
1-866-41-Nerves

2716 Ocean Park Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405

http://www.neurography.com/aaronfiller.html
http://www.nervemed.com/

Check out the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome link on Filler's site below:
http://www.nervemed.com/nervedisorders.html


Best of Luck,
Christopher


ps How did you get your injury?

[jawa]

Thanks for the info. I will be researching as much as possible on this. I was injured while on duty (medical emergency call) lifting and carrying a very heavy patient (450lbs+) through a small hallway @15-20 feet. While twisting and turning we lost control of the patient and i took the weight causing a severe stretch of my left arm. Immediate severe pain to shoulder and neck with very limited mobility and extreme numbeness lasting now 4 plus months. Dr so far are saying TBPI/severe stretch injury that is carrier ending and debating on bulgdisc (they cant agree). Im 32... and given no treatment other than physical therapy, meds and unknown time frame and unknown expected healing if any. work comp dr's wont agree on what to do and wc insurance is not auth anything... Hopeless feeling realy, but im looking for a treatment or process i can see results.

Heard of a Dr. Richard Braun out of sandiego? Ive been scheduled to see him for several weeks awaiting approval...

[rachelcasa]

I'm sorry to hear about your injury. I do not know of any doctors in San Diego. Many people on the boards here use specialists from other places. I used Dr. Nath out of Houston, Texas. He is a great doctor and does help with traumatic injuries. Mine is from birth. His website is www.drnathbrachialplexus.com

I know it sounds far away however, it might not be a bad idea to contact him. He had me send in a video of my range of motions to him and contacted me via phone and internet from there. If you have any other questions feel free to e mail me.

[BIGJAVSMA]

Jawa- I'm not sure, but I thought since you were injured on the job they couldn't cut you pay. I hope that your injury is not very severe and at the very best only temporary. Best of luck to you.

Marlyn mom to Javier ROBPI

[ptrefam]

Have they done an MRI and EMG? These should give a better idea of the injury. Though may not give all the answeres. IF it is stretched it may come back. Unfortunaltey nerves take a long time to heal. Dustin is 6mo. post accident. We are seeing strengthening now, but still not enough to move against gravity. Definatly see a BPI specialist, even if you have to travel. And stick with the therapy. Good Luck!! Hope you can get the answeres. I know I dread the words "it all takes time, and each one is different". But that seems to be so true of this injury.
Sue

[brandonsmom]

Jawa, I am the mother of a child with an injury from birth, but visit here often. You said that they cut your pay....that is against the law. you were hurt at work and should get full pay until a final diagnosis is agreed on by all parties. If they wish to retire you then they have to pay you.....they tried the same thing with my step brother here in Illinois....he was a fireman also.....they lost and he won big time....find an attorney. You don't deserve to be treated like this.......Gayle

[Christopher]

Josh,
I'm not sure why I didn't post this in my earlier message, but if you can afford the expense and time I would recommend you head off to the Mayo clinic in Minnesota where I had my many surgeries at. They are top notch & were able to offer me & provide the most functional return of any doctors I met with (which was over a dozen, coast to coast and over in Europe). I don't believe your injury is as quite as severe as some folks here on the boards, but it's all relative in the end. How much is your arm worth to you for the rest of your life? How active were you and would like to be for the rest of your life?

Here's they're contact info:

Brachial Plexus Clinic, Mayo Clinic

Approved contact information:
Dr. Robert Spinner, Dr.Allen Bishop, Dr. Alex Shin
200 First Street SW
Rochester, MN 55905

phone: 507-286-0537, 507-284-2511
fax: 507-284-8897

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