United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Amanda

Please note that when someone asks on this thread if you have a tbpi that is an appropriate question.

Please do not consider a question as to the nature of your injury as rude.

This message board has been provided by United Brachial Plexus Network to serve as support for those who have suffered a Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury .

This is not a Topomax Message Board but a thread on UBPN Message board provided for those adult/teens who have suffered a traumatic brachial plexus injury.

This thread on the TBPI message board was posted by a tbpi who was given topomax to help with the pain associated with a brachial plexus injury.

Many have used a search engine and have come to our site assuming that this is a Topomax Message Board and shared information on this drug and have posted on this particular thread. We have all gained a great deal of information on this drug by sharing.

Board Moderator
United Brachial Plexus Network

Amanda I'm sorry that you came in throu the back door. That do's not give you the right to move right on to to your "Therefore"..... Which comment are talking about? If you are unwilling to go to the front door and see who we are I copy some for you.........Here
What is the United Brachial Plexus Network?
The United Brachial Plexus Network (UBPN) is a registered non-profit 501(c)3 organization devoted to providing information, support and leadership for families and those concerned with brachial plexus injuries worldwide. Available resources include: Our extensive website; Online registry, various outreach and awareness programs, and Outreach, our in-depth publication. Beginning in 2000, UBPN will also produce an annual comprehensive Resource Directory.

What are Brachial Plexus Injuries?
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that control the muscles of the shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, hand and fingers. Injury to nerves of the brachial plexus can result in full to partial paralysis of one or both arms (bilateral brachial plexus injury).
Possible symptoms of a brachial plexus injury include: a limp or paralyzed arm; lack of muscle control in the arm or hand. Other terms commonly used to describe brachial plexus injuries include: Erb's Palsy (upper trunk injury), Klumpke's Palsy (lower trunk injury), Brachial Plexus Palsy, Erb-Duchenne Palsy, Horner's Syndrome (when facial nerves are also affected), and "Burners" or "Stingers" (usually associated with sports-related brachial plexus injuries). Torticollis is another term sometimes used in conjunction with brachial plexus injuries.

What is the Brachial Plexus?
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves. It conducts signals from the spine to the arm and hand. These signals cause the arm and hand muscles to move. (Brachial means arm, and plexus refers to a network of nerves.)

What causes brachial plexus injuries?
Stretching, tearing, or other trauma can cause injury to the nerves of the brachial plexus. Brachial plexus injuries most often occur during the birthing process (Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Injury) as a result of excessive traction or force being applied to the infant's head during delivery.
I hope this help you.......Paul

Who posted this????????????????

Guest Posted: May 18, 2003 11:02 PM Reply

Thanks Amanda!!!! I was wondering if I was the only one who thought Paul was being rude

What your name? Wimps hide behind no name.......
Paul 585

I wonder if it is possible/time to remove this thread from the message boards?
Karen Hillyer

Is there anyone who has endured a TBPI that thereafter was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia? I understand that chronic pain can trigger this condition which I have from a cervical cord injury. From the get-go of that injury I have pain in my upper arm where the nerve comes from the opening of the cervical bone and down into the arm. As it pertains to the use of Topomax/Topamax, my doc recently gave that to me in order to "stop the messeging of pain" to the various nerve centers which are known as trigger points in the muscles junctures of fibromyalgia patients. Does this sound like a similar reason a TBPI patient would be given Topomax/Topamax?

Sara,
Doctors don't know everything--espcially about Bipolar disorder. I have had so many tell me that a drug can't make me lose weight or have panic attacks or whatever, yet when I stop taking those drugs, the symptoms stop. I have been diagnosed with Bipolar III, which is not yet recognized by the DSM. It is depression with drug-induced mania. Anti-depressants, many mood-stabilizers, narcotics, even anti-psychotics have huge effect on me. 25 mg of Topomax/day is having the impact you speak of. If you suffer anxiety, manic periods, delusions, or other highly erratic behavior when taking certain types of medication, this may be your problem as well. You may need to be very careful with meds, starting at tiny doses and increasing very gradually. I rarely get to "therapeutic dose." Good luck and get with a nutritionist to get your body healthy again.
--Robin

I don't know why you are so hateful against people wanting to find information on treating physical/mental problems of their own. You don't have to read their messages, just skim over them. If you have such a problem with people discussing their problems on this thread, then stay off of this thread. And last, please learn how to spell before you go online and make yourself look "ignorant".

Im wondering how soon you start losing weight. I just started the drug yesterday. The dr. said take 25 mg. and take either one or two tablets, last nite I only took one. How does it make you lose weight? Do you just lose your appitite? Also does it make you go to the restroom alot. Thanks for any help you can give me.

I am warning people who are currently taking Topomax of a possible side effect. My mother a 55 year old healthy woman started taking Topomax on May 30, 2003. She has never had glacoma. The pressure built up to 80 in both of her eyes and after taking the medication for 9 days she became blind. She is currently blind and the doctors are saying they don't know if her vision will return. Please be careful and please reply if you know of anyone else this has happened to.

How long did it take before the weight lose started to take effect??? were you just not hungry? I take 50 mg at nite, what did you do? Thanks for your reply