United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hello all,
I have an interesting question.

I have been experiencing numbness (like when your foot falls asleep)in my back down the right side. It tingles a lot and is very distracting. I was wondering if any one else has experienced this.
I have seen my OT 7 times in two weeks to get it to stop and after a lot of ultra sound and deep massage it did stop for about 4 days. Now it is starting to come back again. I have been doing stretches that my OT reccommended and they do help to make the numbness to go away but how can I prevent it from starting?
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Amy 18 ROBPI from MN

Amy
I get numbness and tingling on both sides of my back now because of overuse.
My left side I have tingling around the scapular and down my left arm (I am robpi).
From time to time it feels as if my back is asleep.
I don't know what to do for it so I go into the hot tub for some relief.
I would contact your bpi specialist.

I am just guessing but could it be the college beds?
I had to use an egg crate type of covering on my mattress because I seem to rest on trigger spots.

I wish I could help it is so annoying.
Please continue to stretch and keep yourself loose.
Check your posture when sitting at the computer and take breaks moving and stretching.
When sitting at the computer see if you can support your bpi arm with a pillow.
This will help you to sit up straight instead of the lazy way we sit for comfort and compensation.

Let us know if anything works.
Kath (robpi/adult)

I guess the next time I see my doctor I will ask him about it unless it goes away on its own which it might because I wont see him until May or June because of college classes.
I dont think it has any thing to do with my beds as it is only during the day. I notice it mostly when I am doing something that involves both arms. I have not noticed it while I am on the computer and I use an arm rest while at school so I dont get pain from my posture.

I really hope I don't get the tingling/numbness on my left side to. That would drive me crazy. The right side is bad enough.

Kath do you think it is that water or the heat or both that give you relief from the numbness/tingling? Maybe I will try heat next time since I do not have acess to a hot tub at home or school.

You might try ultrasound and massage for some relief, my guess is that your muscles are to tight in your back too. My numbness.tingling has decreased in intensity since I have had the ultrasound and massage.

Maybe together we can come up with a solution.
Amy

Amy,
I get numbness in my left BPI arm & hand periodically.It has also opccurred in leg & foot but hasn't since I started my pool excercize program on a regular schedule I am very faithful to kept up.
I've noticed it happens when I'm over-tired and over-compensated. I am very careful not to do that anymore.
Yea, I believe it's part of our BPI.

Here's wishing you a fantastic week,
((((HUgs)))) & Camp 2007 or Bust!,
Carolyn J

Amy,
Sometimes both arms go to sleep and I wake up like a fish in water. Flopping around the bed trying to get up. I now wear braces on both of my arms when I sleep. This has made the problem go away.I wear these at night when I know I have had a tough day. I was apparently sleeping in an awkward position with my arms. Judy

It is my understanding that most of the adult BPIers have not had "nerve" surgery. I'm wondering if the
"little ones" who have had surgeries will experience some/most of the sensations that you have mentioned as they grow. Our little one is too small to communicate about this. Guess only time will tell! Thanks so much for sharing about your injury!!! A Grandma

Hey Judy,

What kind of braces do you use? I have had it suggested to me by one doctor that it might help, but I've moved and don't know what to ask for. Thanks.

Shelly

Shelly,
I got a childs large for my obpi arm and an adults small for my good arm. I went to a pharmacy that sells medical supplies and they fitted me with them . They are actually made for carpel tunnels. The pharmacist was so nice to take the time to fit me and actually gave me the one for my obpi arm. I always make jokes about them, i want to make black lace gloves to go over top of them. It does help alot when I have over used both arms to sleep in them at night.They are actually comfotable when you get use to wearing them.Hope this helps. Apologize for taking so long to reply, I just have alot going on....Judy

Amy,
That doesn't sound good at all. I get numbness too from time to time but it depends on what type of activities I have done for that day. If I really over use my arm it will do that to me, but I don't think I have ever experienced all the way down my back. I would check with your bpi doctor too. I hope it goes away soon. I'm going to try to get on the chat thing again on Thursday if you have it. Let me know, hopefully I can get in this time.
let me know how your doing.
*HUG*

I guess I have not updated here for a while. The numbness is solved, for now at least. While I was home on break from college I saw my OT about the numbness. She thought it might be that my muscles are too tight in my back and are compressing the surface nerves. Giving me the feeling that my back is going numb. After 6 treatments of heat, deep tissue massage, and ultrasound followed by stretches the numbness is gone and has remained that way as long as I keep stretching. In all, I spent a lot of my break with my OT, I saw here one more time after we got the numbness under control to make a new splint for my hand. So far that has solved most of the pain that I was having too. As long as I do not stress out, no pain!

I do keep my journal updated on my website. I updated last week, and I hope to this week and next. potentially a lot going on. This should be ther direct link if any one wants to check it out
http://www.freewebs.com/bpimn/currentjournal.htm

Hope to see you all in chat!
Hugs,
Amy 18 ROBPI from MN