United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi!
I'm one of the many lurkers.
In Jan. of '05 I had surgery to my lower back. Was supposed to require not more than 45 min. They left me laying there for 4 and 1/2 hours. The result was that I joined the club that you guys belong to.
I don't know the numbers that apply but they were all affected, very high up in the cords.
I am lucky in one way; there is no pain involved. Instead there is a strong sensation that is very hard to describe, like muscle that is severly exausted, with twitching and almost painless cramps.
The reason I am writing is that I am experiencing difficulty with swallowing, talking,(I slur my words
and getting a deep breath.
I have had extensive test done and found nothing.

Last month I was talking to my therapist when one of the other people made the comment that his breathing problem had been connected to his brachial plexus injury and something about a procedure, that I didn't
catch. Unfortunately he was going out the door.
I've not seen him since and my therapist doesn't remember who it was. There are several therapist here
with a lot of clients.
My question? Have any of you got any info on this?

I live in the Houston Texas area; have had real problems finding anyone who understands this problem.
Any help there would also be welcome.
I've totally lost my left arm and hand so I understand what you are all going through. At least there is not terrible pain and it was my left hand.I'm right handed.
When I discover how I can wash my under my right arm I'll be ok.
Please, You guys be ok too!
Jim
jimsta1386@yahoo.com

Jim
I'm truly sorry that your injury has come about. Seems like a very frustrating way to to have your arm injured, to say the least. From what I can put together with out knowing the exact details, sounds as if you had a whole side of nerves compressed or stretched on one side of your neck and shoulder.

Your trouble breathing is probably related to some kind of damage to your phrenic nerve which provides power to you your diaphragm (there are two, one on each side of the neck, right & left). I destroyed my right phrenic along with C5, C6, & C7, so my right lung is no were near it's prior capacity, along with paralyzation of the chest (pectoral muscle), back, shoulder, & arm, & partial paralyzation of my right hand.

You should be able to determine if your phrenic nerve was damaged by a few x-rays. One holding a deep breath in, and another by expelling all air and holding it while x-rays are taken.

I would not rely on any info you are given by the surgeon that operated to begin with. Obviously a surgery that goes over 500% of the estimated time alloted for it, has some kind of complication that resulted in your injury.

How severe is your lack of arm function/usage? Total, partial, which muscles, to what degree? I know you said total arm and hand, but does that include chest and shoulder as well?

I would get to a Brachial Plexus Specialist as soon as you can. Check out the Medical Resource page on this site...

http://ubpn.org/medicalresources/

The cramps you are experiencing could be over use of the limited muscles you have, or nerves to those muscles are being pinching or crushed some where along the way.

Have you had an EMG nerve conductivity test done yet? That should be some kind of indicator of what nerves have been affected. Although that test isn't totally conclusive and by no means the end of the road of diagnostics, it's definitely helpful.

I hope someone else can chime in here and offer some opinions/ideas. I find it absolutely incredulous that something wasn't offered to you earlier as some kind of resolve for your injury. I can't even imagine being injured that way. Mine was understandable in that it was a blunt trauma (motorcycle wreck). Sorry you had to join the club that no one wants to be part of, and hope for your best possible recovery.

Best of Luck!
Chris

I totally agree with what Chris is saying...and I think u should go to the Brachial plexus doctor ASAP!
Shafali.

Sorry to hear about your injury. I would go to a BPI doctor a.s.a.p. My son went to Dr. Nath right there in Houston, he would be a good start and close by.


Good Luck