United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi my name is Kevin. I was in a serious motorcycle accident in November of last year. I'm told there was actually another motorcycle in my lane when I came around a corner.
Everyone tells me how lucky I should feel having survived such a terrible accident or almost dieing in the hospital when my blood pressure dropped to 30/20 twice. I don't remember the accident or the first month in the hospital. All I remember is waking up and not being able to move my arm.

Anyway, I found out yesterday that my TBPI is from an avulsion of the left C6 nerve root and is the cause of atrophy in my shoulder and bicep with all the pain in my hand. I am lucky I'm told for having the use of my hand, lower arm, and triceps. I know I should and I do to a point, however for me and my lifestyle this injury is incredibly difficult. I am 36 and have (hopefully will) lived a very active lifestyle from commercial diving, to firefighting, and now the military. Now I have to think about what type of life awaits me.

Obviously I’m in some depression. I will see my neurosurgeon 4/04/06 and will/should find out what he’ll be able to do for me surgically but I would like to know what others who have or are going thru a TBPI think I should do, especially for my muscles.

Thank you all four time and good luck to us all.

Hi Kevin, and welcome to the club nobody wants to join. It's hard to become an expert overnight in an injury most people have never heard of before, and deal with major decisions along with major pain. Most people here have been there, and would tell you that things will get better over time - and that you can continue to be as active as you want, it just takes some creativity to work out the details.

1. Pain. If you haven't already, start seeing a pain specialist - preferably someone with a good bit of experience. People respond differently to different meds & dosages, and it might take some trial & error to find the right combination for you. The trick, of course, is finding something to manage the pain without turning you into a zombie. For many people, the pain gets better over time - partly from learning coping skills such as staying distracted & not getting overly tired - and also for some, the movement that is regained though surgery can help relieve the pain.

2. Surgical intervention. Let us hear what you learn this week. Because muscles atrophy so quickly, doctors prefer nerve repair or transfer surgery to original muscles within six months of the injury. If a muscle transfer is considered (such as the gracilis from the leg), time delay isn't as critical. Did you have other permanent injuries from your accident that might limit what a surgeon can do? (For example, doctors might consider transferring nerves from the rib area, phrenic, or even taking part of a nerve from the good arm. All those, along with muscle transfers, were done for my teenage son - who is doing very well.)

3. Muscle atrophy. If you aren't already, ask your doctor about getting an electrical stimulation unit (e-stim) that you can use at home. You can also have this done at physical therapy sessions. E-stim provides a current to the target muscle that causes it to contract - and can help keep atrophy at bay while waiting for surgery and/or after surgery waiting for nerves to grow out to the muscles. Since nerves only grow 1" / month, this can take awhle. Also be sure to do range of motion exercises.

4. Active lifestyle. There are people on the boards who continue to snow ski, snowboard, waterski, scuba dive, mountain or road cycling and many other things. It can be done & I think you'll find a way too. Let me know if you want me to help get you in touch.

Where do you live? Do you have adequate insurance? As you begin thinking about the next steps, I strongly encourage you to include the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN on your short list of clinics to consider - assuming surgery is recommended. They have a team of three primary doctors who have different specialties, and working together they can provide options not always offered elsewhere.

Take care,

Ellen

Thanks for the welcome, I can't say I'm that happy to be in this club. I'm happy to say the pain has decreased considerably. I was started with 3200mg of nurontin when the pain was severe and I felt like a zombie. I then reduced it myself by half and the pain reduced by half? I’m also taking about 10 vitamins 3 times a day, thanks to my brother who sells them. My bicep has made progress however my shoulder has atrophy. I have also started the E-stim I hope it helps.

I live in southern California and was referred to my surgeon by a lady who also suffered from a similar injury. If his response to my test results are not to my liking, I assure you the Mayo Clinic is at the top of my list. I know they accept my insurance and I would appreciate any contacts you may have. Ive made a CD with all of my MRIs and medical test results for easy over night delivery.

Thank you very much for your reply and I am truly happy your son has done so well.

What kind of vitamins are you taking ?

First let me just say that I am not sure if it is or was the vitamins that have help with the pain. I was first given a list of vitamins to take because of a head injury from my accident. The head injury caused me to think slower, forget easier, and much more. I am 100% sure these vitamins helped clear my head up drastically which surprised every one including myself who hates having to swallow anything, vitamins or pills.

The Neurosol I had read about someone taking on another web site about BPIs, just didn't know my brother sold them, when he found out he mad me this list. There is also a juice made from a fruit called Mangosteen. I tried it for a week and it did seem to help with the pain. My sister’s friend suffers from a lot of pain and she swears by it. 1 bottle lasted me a week and was a little expensive 30.00. The vitamins cost me at least 130.00 with a discount.

Metagenics is the maker of these vitamins and I checked their website for pain and found one called Pain & Inflammation Remedy. http://www.metagenics.com/products/cata ... asp?pid=75

Osteo-cittrate / ratio balance formula
Neurosol / peripheral nerve support
St. Johns Wart / mood support
Mentalin / mental clarity and memory
Ceralin / brain tissue protection
GinkoRose / health mental function
Glycogenics / B complex
EPA-DHA / omega3
Multigenics Powder / multivitamins
Protine bars


I hope this may help in some small way for you and your son Jason.

Are these the vitamins you took for the head trauma? My son had that also, he is recovering better than they ever expected, but a little extra help never hurts. He is ready to head back to college in the fall. There a still a few memory issues, like recalling all his vocabulary. He has enough that no one would ever know but like yesterday he asked me what the collumns on houses were called, he couldn't think of the word pillar. So I just think it may be beneficial to him.
Thanks, Sue

Sue,
These are the vitamins I'm taking for my head trauma. Within one week I felt as alert as before the accident. However like your son, but maybe worse I to am having trouble with my memory of names, but that to is improving.


Kevin