United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi Everyone!
My name is Jamie and I'm new to this site. I have Erbs Palsy resulting from traumatic birth. It's been 27 years now and I'm doing very well! It's nice to read the messages on this board and know that there are people out there who understand how it is to live with this challenge. My latest problem is facial numbness. It has only happened a few times for just a few minutes each time, but it makes me concerned. I usually have a lot of tightness in my left shoulder/neck, so I am hoping that it is just a pinched nerve. I consulted my doctor and my physical therapist and they both think that it's just a pinched nerve, but I am having an MRI just to rule out other issues (that's all I need!) Has anyone else experienced this before? It's on my left side, the same side as my BPI. PLEASE let me know if you have heard of this complication from a BPI....hopefully you can put my mind at ease! Thanks so much!

Jamie,
I have not experienced the numbness on my face but am currently having problems with that in my back/shoulder region. We are thinking this is caused because the muscles get very tight and compress surface nerves. In my case my doctor thinks the muscle tightness is because my scapula is unstable. Ultrasound and deep tissue massage seems to help for temporary relief. I had treatments 7 times in 10 days between the end of December and the middle of January and the relief lasted up until a couple weeks ago. Hope you are able to find out what is causeing this. Good luck!
Amy 19 ROBPI from MN

Yes, I sometimes get numbness on my OBPI side. To the point I have had Bell's Palsy, the whole left side of my face didn't work for about a week or so. It never occured to me that it might be connected.

Great to have you join us!:)

LOBPI 38

Kamren,
Yep! I believe it is ALL connected to our BPI.
HUgs,
Carolyn J
LOBPI

Unfortunately I have had bouts of it too. Not necessarily to the extreme of a major Bells paralysis but I have had it just like you say, for a few seconds or minutes. You are not alone.

Me too. Sometimes even my lower lip goes numb. I mentioned it to the Dr. and he brushed it off. I think it's related to nerve damage. I'm just not brave enough to go through the EMG's Pat LOBPI

Me too!

I was worried a few years ago because one side of my face seemed different from the other.

My dentist said he notice I had a partial paralysis on my face when I was young and assumed I knew it.

I am also getting less lines on the robpi side of my face. So I'll have to have my photos taken from the right side... LOL...

Kath

To everyone who experiences facial numbness, nerves that supply sensation to your face comes from one(or two, not sure) of your cranial nerves. Cranial nerves origonate either in your brainstem or your actual brain and are not part of the brachial plexus. While its very probable that facial numbess is a byproduct of your BPI I would ask my doc to rule out cranial nerve issues too just in case.
Becky

Beckyerin

I know a few people (OBPI ) who have Horner's syndrome as a result of SD and Brachial Plexus injury.

When T1 is injured it is not only the eye but the skin on our face does not sweat...

I think when you have a severe injury that affects so many nerves this is part of bpi injury...

I know for sure it is part of Horner's Syndrome.
Kath (robpi/adult)

Kath you are right, but in Jamie's case it is something new. So to be on the safe side I too would suggest to get it checked out. Take it from me, someone who has now been through a whole new list of neuro problems not related to BPI...
Marieke