Hello to all from a fellow TBPI person

[Ms. Stang]

Just found this board and figured I would sign up.

My history, I went in for a abdominal laparoscopic surgery, on April 13, 2009, was told this was my best option. I awoke in post opt. being told to pick up my arm, I tried several times and told them I couldn't. Then the nurse some what yelled at me, and telling me that was because my arm was in between the rungs of the bed. So, the nurse picked up my arm, and laid it back on the bed next to my body and told me to pick up my arm. I tried once again and couldn't. Then off she went with a worried look on her face. She came back with the dr.,& anesthesiologist's, and they first blamed the meds that they gave me, then the surgeon said it could have been caused by some type of shoulder restraints, that was used to keep me on the table. (no I am not a large person, only 145Lbs.) Once in my hospital room, with family that they had not told about this injury, looking at me horrified, I was told what I had was bilateral brachial plexus. Do to a stretch injury, caused by positioning.

yes, you read that right, I have Brachial Plexus in both arms.

my first prognosis was a full recovery in 7-10 days.
Then it changed to 1-2 weeks.
Then it changed yet again to 1-2 months.
and now after 2 EMG's I have been told we will see what I can get back by 6 months, to 1 year.
I was told that whatever I was to get back by a year, would be all that I would get.

I have had better recovery in my left arm, but it is still very weak. But mobility is back for the most part.
I am learning to become left handed.

The right arm, is not so lucky. I have learned to use my other muscles to bend my arm. I was told I have muscle atrophy, and denervation in the bicep.

I still have numbness, and pins and needles in my first two fingers and thumbs of both hands. Pain in general has let up finially.. yes I do still live with pain most days, but not as sever as at first. It is a good thing too as I can not handle any pain meds.(I have tried too many to count) I have been using Advil only, to fight the pain.

I also have a Neurologist who seems to talk in circles. One minute he say's He thinks I will have a full recovery, and the next thing he say's is that I have dead nerve cells, and my bicep will never be 100%. Then he flips back to the I think you will have full recovery. to be honest it drives me nuts! Do all neurologist do this?

I guess, I have a couple of questions, How long does the emotional roller coaster last? Any good advice on how to even out the emotional side of this? Is there something else I should be doing besides ot and pt? To be honest I am so sick of going already, and I am going on Month 3, and I know I have a long way to go.

thanks for taking the time to read this.

Any thoughts or support would be greatly appreciated. I am hoping to learn how others deal with the problems that come from this.

[Greeny]

Welcome to UBPN Ms Stang. I too was undergoing what was supposed to be a simple rotator cuff/bicep tendon tear surgery. I kept being told in recovery to bend my fingers and move my hand which I was unable to do. Eventually they sent me home (same day) and told me that it was most likely a nerve block that the use. Well to make a long story short, it turned out that the doctor had bundled my brachial artery and both the medial and ulnar nerves in 2 sutures and forgot to undo it before closing me up. Now 2+ years, 2 arterial bypass operations and severe muscle atrophy of my hand and arm, I still have never regained the use of the hand. I have some use of my arm, but cannot supinate the arm or hand, and have no upward flexion of the wrist, and cannot bend the fingers. But I always have hope that newer medical technology will find a way to make things right.

[Ms. Stang]

Thanks for the welcome Greeny.

I hope you filed a law suit with your case.

I don't know about you, but I never did freak out.. Everyone expected me to.. I was not happy with my arms, but I guess I figured, dying would have been a worse out come.

I find I am still trying to adjust to this. Did you have the emotional roller coaster, to deal with this as well?

I find times where I call my right arm my "stupid arm"... (it doesn't do what I tell it to..) I guess that is me trying to cope, and make lite of the whole mess. I don't call my left anything, I figure at least it seems to be trying harder.. or maybe it is a better listener..

I truly am sorry that any of us have to deal with this.

I told my family at time I think it would have been eaiser to loose the use of my legs... but I am not sure it really would be. I am sure the people that have lost the use of there legs, have issues like we do.

I just wish I had (1) 100% normal arm, like most tbpi do.

I get tired of everyone (in the medical field) telling me I am a special case. Do to the brachial Plexus in both arms.

On the hospital side of things I had to stay for a few extra days, only way they let me go, was becasue I could have family give me 24 hour care. I basically couldn't even feed myself, get dressed, or most other things we take for fact. Oh, the dr. that did the surgery tried to send me home the next day... (guess she wanted me out of there) but the neurologist said no way!!

[troy]

two words for you . law suit and the mayo clinic. you need to get two a bpi specialist. and ive heard the mayo is the best. but im sure in a few days you will get more advise from guys that have been there im from australia.

[Ms. Stang]

Thanks Troy,

I will look into the mayo, and yes I already have started with a top lawyer (one how likes to go up against corps. for the little guy), The lawyer told me this last week, that the hospital admitted already,that it was their fault. So, I think it will just be a matter of time, to see what I do and don't get back as far as my arms, and how long I will be like this (which I expect to be the rest of my life). The lawyer seemed to thing we would have a better idea by end of September, of the $ amount.

[ptrefam]

Ms. Stang, welcome to the club no one wants to join.
I think the first place to start is by finding a BPI specialist. Mayo is highly recommended although there are others out there. PT and OT are good. Also water therapy takes out the gravity and you may be able to make more movements than you can on land. As far as recovery, it ia almost impossible to predict. Nerves heal at about 1 inch per month, so it depends on where they were injured and then the healing must make it to the impaird muscles. But even knowing this, each injury and recovery seems to be so unique. My son is 3 1/2 yrs post accident and we are still seeing improvement. He has movement in most areas now. I would highly recommend getting to a BPI spcialist as some interventions have a preferred time frame. We also left the Mayo knowing so much more about his injury and what to expect, it was comforting just to know rather than to have guesses.
Sue

[swhite1]

Wow Ms Stang. What a story. Both arms. What are the odds?
I'm going to direct my first ex-wife to your story. She is having rotator cuff surgery at the end of the month. Thanks for that Greeny. I certainly don't want her to worry or even be concerned for that matter but your story needs to be shared. As Sue told you natural recovery, if at all, is slow. Depending on the severity of course. To be suffering such minor pain(not insignificant)is a blessing you should be thankful for. Some of us should be so lucky. I sincerely hope the very best for you and I hope this time next year you can look back at all of this and chalk it up to experience. Sounds like your doctors are all on the fence on just how important their decisions are affecting you. I hope they don't get splinters unless of course they deserve them. In that case I hope they get 2x4's.
My very best to you and please keep us posted. Our advice comes from experience. I certainly hope you never get the opportunity to give it.
Scott
http://www.freerice.com

[Ms. Stang]

Swhite1, I would like to thing that my case of tbpi doesn't happen very often. But I will never look at any surgery, the same as I did before this last one.

[racerboy]

Greetings Ms. Stang-
Sorry to hear of your injuries. AS stressed by others, you need to get to a BPI specialist ASAP.

I know exactly what you mean about the neurologist talking in circles. The fellow I saw (3 months post-injury) told me he expected I'd get a full return within a year. When I saw no improvement by month 5, I went to a BPI specialist who did nerve transfers 2 weeks after my initial visit.

That same neurologist called me up at about 7 months and asked how I was doing (he didn't know that I had the surgery) and when he found out that I did have the surgery, but didn't go back to him for the pre-op EMG, he got all huffy on me.

BTW - your username wouldn't be at all realted to Mustangs, would it? Just checkin. ;o)

[Ms. Stang]

Hello Racerboy,

Yes, I have a 2006 Black Mustang Gt, with Gold custom painted rally stripes, and rocker panels. So, that is my little toy, nothing like taking a ride when feeling down.
If you want to see a photo of it, e-mail me.