Brachial Plexitis following Tetanus shot? Please HELP!

Treatments, Rehabilitation, and Recovery
Locked
admin
Site Admin
Posts: 19873
Joined: Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:59 pm

Brachial Plexitis following Tetanus shot? Please HELP!

Post by admin »



I posted this on the General Message Board and was told by a kind responder it might fit better here. Thanks for any advice or support.

Hi, I have been dx'd with brachial plexitis, mostly involving right shoulder/arm. I have been undergoing tests re a dropped shoulder and trapezius injury on that side, so thought the pain and tingling/numbness, heavy arm etc. were related to that. Had MRI that showed no cervical spine problems or tumors, but was done without contrast so was not helpful to check out inflamation. Saw neuro for 1st time yesterday, thought I was getting EMG/nerve conduction study, but was consult only, EMG now sheduled for Mar 11. However, neuro doc said pain, numbness/tingling, etc was NOT related to trap injury and drooping shoulder, as deltoids are weak as well as hand and last three fingers, says trap injury wd not affect this area, nor would thoracic outlet or other type symptoms come on so fast(Have had numbness/tingling abt 3 weeks, pain for 2 and a few days) He dx'd brachial plexitis, said it usually comes on following an infection and asked if I had been sick, cold, virus, etc. I had not had any recent illness or fever. Left confused, how cd these not be connected - the shoulder/trap issue and the inflamation. Then thought back, only other event to that shoulder recently was tetanus shot on Feb. 3.
Looked up tetanus side effects at CDC website and under severe effects was "deep, aching pain and muscle wasting in upper arm(s). This starts 2 days to 4 weeks after the shot and may last for months". Other web sites made reference to brachial plexus neuropathies, peripheral neuropathy, demyelinating neuropathy and Guillain-Barre syndrome. How do I sort out what may be happening? How do I approach this with the docs? Have not talked to them re the tetanus shot as they are not in til Monday now. Help, I really need advice!

BTW: Have screaming, burning pecs, ditto below right collar bone (and some of both on left as well)scalenes painful, arm radiates from shoulder to wrist, esp. elbow, numb, cold fingers (last three) and cold sweaty palm. Cannot carry anything without discomfort, reaching up or across body esp. painful, cannot hold arm out to side longer than 20-30 seconds. Am really
worried abt residual muscle damage, and without EMG, still don't know if there is also nerve/vascular impingement from dropped shoulder. Am currently on Vicodin, skelaxin and Neproxin, just added Neurontin at bedtime(have been sleeping 4 hrs the last week or so - til the Vicodin wears off!) and a prednisone steroid - 8 day pack - to try for pain relief. This has been such a hard thing to come to grips with as I am normally very healthy - hadn't been to a doc in yrs
other than work physicals, and have 2 children. I teach preschool- hard to do when you hurt or are groggy from meds. I am 41 years old. Thanks again.

Beth
Locked