United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

19 January 2002. Beautiful boy born by c-section. I received a bpi to MY brachial plexus!! Horrendous pain going crazy. Never could lift or push or anything (even the buggy). am on meptid and amytriptylene. How bizarre is that (I gladly carry the pain rather than him - he's amazing). anyone else ever heard of a mum being injured by c-section. Live in Ireland.

Maura
Yes, we recently had a another Mom from Texas who was injured. I will try to find her e-mail and contact her...
I am sorry for your injury but glad you found our message boards.
Kath

thanks so much for replying. I feel so alone and people don't want to hear about my pain anymore. they think it must be better now or it's all in my head! My dh is wonderful though - he's had to sacrifice so much for me and ds. I do hope you can contact the other unfortunate lady from texas for me. I used to be such a strong independent woman - you guys at least understand the pain. I can move my arm so everyone thinks I look well!!!

Starshine, your post is shocking. I'm truly sorry that this happened to you. Can you tell us how they positioned your arm(s). Any information you can give us will help other women here and anyone going for a surgical procedure. I'm truly sorry that this happened to you.

it was an emergency section at 37 weeks due to a bleed. I remember saying to the anaesthetist that my arm hurt during the op and wasn't too concerned because it was my right arm and to me that meant I wasn't having a heart attack! the anaesthetist held my head still after that. I didn't present with shoulder pain until 9 days later after being discharged (apparently that's normal for nerve damage). by then no-one wanted to know and said it was just muscle strain - until five months later I had emg and was diagnosed with brachial plexitis / parsonage turner and it would get better. the hospital didn't want to know. the obstetrician said no point in having my six week check up until my shoulder and arm got better. I used to be a camera assistant travelling the world now I can't even be comfortable in a car. Never a day without pain since (or and hour) My arms were thrashing around a bit as I am petite and baby was very big and strong. I can't believe this still and worry about how I will explain my injury to him when he's older. He's the sweetest boy. I wonder if the spinal did it or a strange painkilling injection which almost made me hit the roof with electric spinal pain that night. flummoxed in dublin.

I e-mailed you this morning

Here is the UK/TBPI web address

http://www.tbpi-group.org/

Kath