United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I've suffered from terrible pain all of my life and yet my doctors refuse to believe me. When I tell them about it they look at me strange and tell me I couldn't possibly be in pain as 'their studies' have shown that pain is not a factor in an Erbs Palsy injury. I'm getting really frustrated as some of them are quite nasty and blatantly call me a liar. One particular English doctor made me cry he was that rude about it all. He said I was too dependant on other people and it was 'all in my head'. My hand also 'claws' up and he told me to straighten out my fingers. I can't straighten them out the full way and so he forced them open which really hurt. He still refused to believe I was in pain and continued to manouver my arm in ways that it wasn't able to move. I was left distraught about it all. It was the most distressing experience and his report said my pain was 'psycological'. I'm very upset as I know the pain I experience, because of its extent, couldn't possibly all be in my head. Does anyone else find that doctors disbelieve them? Or is everyone very helpful and understanding when you tell them of your pain? I'm feeling very down about the whole thing so any adice or response would be appreciated. Thanks.

Sarah

Sarah...I am so sorry to hear that you are in so much pain. I'm even sorrier...no, thats the not the word...what I mean is I am absolutely horrified at the treatment you received from this 'doctor.' Seems to me he has forgotten the first part of his Hippocratic oath.

Tell me, is this Dr in the U.K? You mentioned he was English I would love to know so that I can send him some details about BPI as he is obviously extremely ignorant about these injuries. I would love to have his name..please email me in private my email addy is liz@tbpi-group.org

Hang in there. Look for another Dr. who is experienced in treating these injuries and the pain as soon as you can. If you are in the U.K. I can recommend several

Take care,

Lizzy B

Sara
I am very suprised to hear that the doctor was not listening. I think you need to find some of the BPI doctors that have experience. There is a group for Erb's Palsy in Ireland and UK and they will be able to direct you to a doctor who is well informed.

When I was a child the doctors use to tell our parents our pain was all in our heads. Even a neurologist I saw about two years ago said "there is no pain with Erb's Palsy. I gave him and earful and told him that he really needed to read up on it.

Please contact Liz because she can help you find a doctor that understands.
The pain is not in your head. My family said the entire first year of my life I cried instead of sleeping and my mother believed it was pain... the doctors said then that babies don't feel pain we know that is not true now. If you read the adult OBPI Message board there is a pain topic and you can see how many people with Erb's have had pain all their lives... hang in there and if you have and questions please feel free to ask.

I hope you can find a doctor who is familiar with BPI injury.
I am robpi and 65, I don't expect anyone to say that a bpi injury is not painful anymore... so sorry for your experience.
Kath