United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

The OT did not use a gel. What they did was apply a compression tube over my hand and arm. They also individually wrapped each finger. Sure stopped my arm from feeling like it was going to explode. The compression worked before. I'm sure it will help now. I can't elevate it yet but this should be a start. They want me back each day for a new wrap. It took quite a while for the swelling to come down before. I know I caught it as soon as the swelling started. Hopefully after I see Dr Lee on the 25th he will allow some shoulder movement.

Would you believe that 2 days after the surgery I weighed 9 lbs heavier because of the swelling. This morning I weighed 11 lbs more. It amazes me how much fluid weighs.

Nice to know it will come off. Just hope it will be sooner than later. Either way I am on the road to recovery. That is what really counts.

Janelle

Glad you found some relief. It must have been very painful!

The pain was increasing by the minute. It felt like my arm was going to explode. The wrap was changed today. What a difference. The palm, finger & arm swelling had decreased. No change in weight but a huge difference in the comfort level. I feel so lucky to have the different teams I have and they all seem to know what they are doing. In spite of the bad luck that put me in this situation, I have found the professionals, friends and family that have given me the best support and care that I could ever have hoped for.

Janelle

Oh my God! You people are amazing! Janelle I will add you to my prayers, right after my Mom. She is recovering nicely from being too close to the edge. She went in Mass Gen. with phnemonia and two months and triple bypass later she is back at home at Hampton Beach and wondering what the fuss was all about. I was raised in Newburyport left to work with Uncle Sam in the early seventies and grew up here in Texas for the last 22years.
I suffered a TBPI that I'm now almost ashamed to admit after reading these stories. You people are amazing. The greatest news here for me is somebody is finally expressing pain and slings/braces. I reckon I was asking the wrong questions in the wrong places. For the first few months all I could do was explain to my medical team that my arm was being bombed with incidiary bombs, burning, exploding up and down my arm. Some of them would jerk me straight up and make me yelp like a hurt puppy. I live alone so everything is difficult. As you all can imagine...check that as you all know adaption and acceptance are key. I say I live alone because my 16 year old son is 'blooming' or whatever. He's never here, knows not what to do unless I am specific in my instructions or query and as I say when asked, Jacob comes and goes and I stay and pay.
I have no 'team', no doctor, no therapy, no one that comes close to knowing what's going on with me. I hurt, a lot and often. I can not do anything for long. I look forward to taking my temazepam and going to sleep as so as I wake up. Sleep is my friend. I take 100mg amitriptyline and 45mg temazepam and a 5mg/500mg hydrocodone every night and sleep like a log. during the day I take 50mg methadone x 2 daily along with the hydrocodone x 3 daily and soma x 2 a day. I also take 1500mg gabapetin(neurontin) x 3 a day. Sounds like overkill to me but I do not know any better. I used to be left handed and hope to be again one day. You people amaze me! You all compose your posting very poised and literate. I on the other hand type with one finger and it is difficult because I have developed some sort of jerking tic or whatever. My right arm from the shoulder to my hand acts on its own when least expected. It causes me to spill things and type way too many things that I have to go over again and again. Even then I don't know what I've done till its over?? I don't eat well because most things are hard to do. My life sucks! That is it sucked. Now I can find solice here at UBPN. I can't believe the difference y'all make already in my life. Amazing! I don't know if you've had neurontin Janelle, I wish I could just come over and let you try it I am so sorry for you and that blasted pian. I wish I could do something for you.
Hang there apparently there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
God Bless us one and all.


Message was edited by: swhite1

What is the gel you are referring to? When able I like to have BIO-freeze massaged into my arm even though it hurts like h... to have it done.

I have no idea what gel the receptionist talked about. My therapist said she wanted to use the compression wrap. I am grateful she did. One pound of fluid weight has gone from my body since yesterday. The arm wanting to explode is gone.

I am currently on 5 mgs of methadone once a day, 600 mgs of Neurontin three times a day. And 15 mgs of oxycondone every four hours as needed. There were times I had to take 30 mgs to get the pain under control. Yesterday I only needed the 15 mgs. I have been able to push the frequency out to five and a half hours twice yesterday. I hope to be able to push that out to six hours. Then I can work on decreasing the mgs slowly.

SWHITE1 I will send you a private message.


Janelle

My best guess is that the gel that they were talikng about is an elastomer gel patch. It is mainly used to put compression new scars to keep them from forming scar tissue. Although after my surgery in 2005 we used it to keep the swelling out of my hand because it hurt like no other when it was swollen.

The patch is about an 1/8th inch thick and depending on the area you are working on will determine how big of a piece.

Hope that made sense.

Janelle, glad to hear that the compression is working and your pain is decreasing!!! How awesome! Hope it keeps decreasing!

Hugs,
Amy 20 years old ROBPI from MN

I'm doing really well. I saw Dr Lee yesterday. All the staples & stitches were removed. There were a lot of them, from my neck down to my left elbow.

Dr Lee said he fully expects me to get movement back in my elbow. The ulnar nerve was beyond repair. This nerve allows you to separate your fingers from side to side. The median nerve was severed but repairable. He grafted the ulnar nerve to the median nerve. There median nerve allows you to make a fist. There is no guarantee but it is possible my fingers will move again.

It will be at least 6 months before any movement is expected to start in the elbow. As the strength comes back to my elbow I will slowly be able to go without a sling for short periods. As the strength grows I will be able to not have a sling. I am probably looking at a good year for that.

The constant tingling that ran from my shoulder to my fingertips is gone. The only real pain I have is from my carpel tunnel to my fingers. The most pain is the carpel tunnel.

I can resume occupational therapy Aug 8th. I can exercise my hand fingers & shoulder but he does not want the elbow exercised for 2 weeks, hence the delay in therapy.

I feel really well and very hopeful for a good outcome. I hope to return to work mid September. I will start part time & work my way to full time. The hour drive to & from has to be considered in my work schedule.

Janelle

Congrats on the good report from Dr. Lee! I hope you are able to get every thing back, but like you said, it is going to take some time!
Waiting is the hardest part, man I can not wait to get more range back in my shoulder so I can do my hair again.
Good luck!
Amy 20 years old ROBPI from MN

Amy,
Thanks for all the great well wishes you send me. I looked at your post but I didn't see what your injury is.

How long have you been dealing with this?

Hey! How long is you hair?

Mine was shoulder length. Due to having spots shaved my stylist cut my hair short. We are working on getting it back to my previous length. Kinda like nerves. By the time my elbow is working I will need it to help me care for my longer hair . Guess I'm lucky it is short right now.

Janelle