New patient...

[damaaster]

Well i'll mention it when I meet with the surgeon again. Looks like closest BPI doctor is in Ontario...or Minnesota....I am from Manitoba - didn't see any in my province unfortunately.

[damaaster]

I just got a call to set up my EMG test - it is for monday.

What should I expect - has anyone here had one done?

[AngelaW]

Hey,There is a guy on here called Humboltbiker who I believe has made a pretty full recovery without surgery. Don't freak yourself out too much reading stories on here, people tend to post a ton when they are first injured, and post less once they're better, lol
It's a great sign that you've already regained some function. The most important thing is to see a bpi specialist to confirm if you have this type of injury, that includes having a bpi specialist look at your emg results. Most doctors who do not specialize in this injury just don't know what to do. Same for the pain management. Nerve pain will not respond to regular medication. If you choose to take medication, make sure it's nerve mediction like tramadol or neurontin or lyrica. I'd give those a try before some of the more drastic measures. It's always best to start small so that you end up using the least powerful and invasive method to control your pain.
While you wait, make sure to keep that arm moving and strecthing it as much as possible. It's shocking how fast the muscles shrink and the flexibility is lost. The more you move it and stretch it now, the better your chances of regaining function back. Moving it around also stimulates the nerves to help them heal.
The nerve is usually damaged it 3 basic ways: Stretch, Tear, and Avulsion (the root of the neve is pulled from the spine) Things like swelling, scar tissue, and pinching the nerve can temporarily damage it. They heal very very slowly, so even temporary damage can take years to recover from......but not always. Everyone is different.
As to the question if any of us have had them done, the answer is....................We've ALL had them done, lol. Honestly, I don't love them, but they're not the end of the world. You will do fine.

http://www.medicinenet.com/electromyogram/article.htm

Good Luck,
Ang

[damaaster]

One last question before my EMG.

They said not to wear any lotions or creams....is it ok to put on deodorant?

[jmar]

just to be on the safe side, do not wear any. i brought some with me and put it on after the test. if i remember right, they go very close to the armpit. good luck. hope they find the problem.

[damaaster]

Ok - so I just had my EMG done. I was expecting the results to take a few days but they were able to give them to me right there. The procedure was pretty cool - and didn't hurt anywhere near as bad as I was warned about.

After the Nerve test and before the needle/muscle test a different doctor came in and asked a bunch of questions, tested my movement, sensation, strength and reflexes. Then the Dr. came in and did the muscle test.

The doctor said he was optimistic that I already have some movement and sensation back after only 3 and a half weeks. He also said he thinks I will make a full recovery which is obviously great news - the only downside is he said his time frame would be 1-3 years. He also ordered an MRI for me.

I've been off work since the accident - due more-so to lack of sleep then the pain itself. I haven't been on anything other then, T3s, advil and tylenol - however the doctor today prescribed me Gabapentin. He said it is for nerve pain and also should help me sleep. Has anyone else taken this? Any issues or side effects?

[AngelaW]

Sounds like great news. Hope your recovery is speedy and that you can get back to work soon. Getting back into your regular life as soon as you can is one of the best things you can do.
Gabapentin is the generic form of neurontin (one of the drugs I mentioned earlier. ) I don't remember personally having any side effects, but I know others have. Everyone reacts differently so I guess the best advice I can give is to pay close attention to how you're feeling and if there any changes, especially within a few hours of taking the pills. Gabapentin is one that often needs to build in your bloodstream so it may take a few months to find the correct dosage. I think I used it everyday for around 8 months, and then on and off after that for a little bit before going off it completely. It never killed the pain completely, but for me it brought i down to a managable level. Hope this helps.
Good luck and take care.

[damaaster]

Thanks Angela

They have me just taking it at bed time to try and help me sleep. I hope it works:)

[Heddip]

Nortryptiline works well to help me sleep, and helps keep the pain lighter during the day.

[damaaster]

Well I just got my MRI results back - the dr. said there were no signs of avulsion which is obviously a good sign.

Its been about 5 and a half weeks since the injury occured and I am already seeing some improvement. I am out of my sling most of the day and I am doing physiotherapy 3 days a week.

I can move all of my fingers - and bend them all down (into a fist) except for my thumb and index finger. (Index finger can go about 60% down). I can also bend my wrist up and down and side to side.

I can bend my elbow up now, and hold my arm up for short periods of time - but my shoulder starts to hurt after a while due to the dislocation. Physio is slowly helping get my range of motion back in my shoulder.

The only things really hindering me from going back to work now are:
a) the constant burning in my hand. All other pain is gone now - it started up near bicep, then was in elbow but thats all gone now. The only pain I have now is the burning in my palm and fingers.
b) sleep is better now as I am taking gabapentin before bed but im still not sleeping through the night
c) I am doing physio 3 times a day during the day so I would be missing a lot of work.

I have pretty much given up hope playing soccer this season but I am optimistic for golf and soccer next year:)