United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Just got back from the neurologist. He went over my x-rays and MRI and didn't see any new injury that would cause the pain and stuff. So he doesn't think it's the OBPI. He had some x-rays of my neck taken today. I think he's grasping at straws cause he doesn't know enough about OBPI. I asked him if he was going to send me to PT or somehting. His response "do you want to go to pt?" I'm so frustrated. I really hope I can get my insurance to send me to a specialist.

I do have a PT appt. on Thursday. Almost afraid to go.

I had an emg done 3 or 4 months back and it didn't show any new trauma, just carpel tunnel. Nor did the emg I had 10 years ago. Like you, they told me it should not be hurting worse or be causing problems and just kind off left it at that. What many of the drs I've been to have told me, is that my problems are secondary to the erbs palsy and what I need is pain management. They tend to lump things under this or that syndrome now. And always secondary to the birth injury. I now have drs that agree with me that yes indeed, pain is a part of the issues, but they really can't judge how much pain I'm really in and for the most part you just have to live with a certain amount of the pain as pain killers will not completely take the pain away. And of course, the pain is not just in the arm anymore. My vicodin helps very little but it does take an edge off for a short while. What they might just as well say is "suck it up", "live with it" I would think your pt will help more than what you will expect. Good luck and let us know how it goes. I still haven't figured out all the secondary issues yet as new ones keep poppng up.
Sharon 58 lobpi

Don't be afraid to go to PT. I recently saw a BPI specialist who told me that that those of us with OBPI can suffer from muscle contractures due to nerve damage and its really important to get in and out of PT over the years. I recently started PT and what the doc said was true, the muscles on my affected were much tighter than the unaffected. A physical therapist will try and help stretch them out. Good luck
Becky

When my son was little, I always gave him MOTRIN before OT and PT. The Therapists noticed that he was more cooperative and less cranky thoughout the session. They started to recommend it to other parents. I found he was less cranky and could take a nap when we got home.....just a hint !!!!
Gayle mom of Brandon 7 ROBPI !

I hope you get a therapist who believes in the value of stretching. I found more relief from the stretches than from anything else.

And Gayle, what a good idea. How come I never thought of doing that. A simple Motrin before PT.

I also like the cool paks post therapy. They really helped.

Nancy

Thanks for the motrin tip. I have my first PT appt. today at 2 and I just took something since I'm already hurting. I think I'm getting cynical and am not expecting much out of this PT. I am going to actually talk to the PT about what exactly he knows about OBPIs cause if he doesn't know jack I don't see the point in continuing. I guess I still remember when I did PT as a kid and the therapist almost broke my arm because he didn't know what the heck he was doing.