United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this site and I'm learning so much. I was hoping someone could give me some insite what it's like to have a OBPI as an adult. My son is 2 years old with a ROBPI and Left humerous fracture. The specialists say he is going to be fine and he now has about 98% function of his arms. However what is concerning to me is that he still guards his arm by holding it close to his body, or tucking it into his sleeve. He often screams as if someone is trying to kill him when he bangs it on anything. He tells us "Owie" and "my fingers". Somedays he has more srength than others. Anyway, I was wondering if any of you were told in your younger years that you will be fine and you still have pain or problems. I'm asking because I'm not sure what to do for my son. The BP specialist said he was going to be fine and to stop all therapy. The therapist disagreed and continues to treat him. Just last week the pediatrician ordered outpatient physical therapy on top of his at home OT. We have an appointment with a Neurologist comming up, what can I say to make them listen? Because when you look at my son he appears fine, but spend the day with him. I look forward to hearing your advice!!

I was told as a youth I would regain almost all use. That didn't happen but then with me I didn't have any use till I was about 2 and then it was limited. I know the more common thing is to have a lack of feeling in the arm. As for me my OBPI arm is hypersensitive. If someone just pats my arm even a little hard it feels like they just punched me with all their might. I have noticed recently too that when my arm is bothering me I tend to hold it more protectively and more in the typical pose.

Just like Kissy I have had the same problem.

At Camp in Lake George almost three years ago one of the speakers explained this hypersensitivity to us.

I can't quote him exactly but here goes -
On the unaffected arm we can distinguish between gentle touch and a punch, pinch or bang.
On the obpi side our brain gets a scrambled message due to the nerve injury.
When someone touch my arm I think I am being attacked.
If I am aware that someone is going to touch me I am OK but unprepared my brain says I am being attacked.
When someone touchs my arm or bumps it I use to get really angry and as a child I would hit the other kids because I felt attacked.
If my husband touch my arm I get so annoyed and tell him it hurts...
He no longer says "I hardly touched you" because he was at that lecture and understood it is not someting I can control.

This seems to be a common complaint among adult/obpi and when Dr.Belzberg explained it to us it made perfect sense.

Gentle touch to us can send a pain message to the brain.
I will also protect my arm and weather changes drive me crazy.
Our arms often feel heavy and we tend to support them by hold on to it.

Kath (adult/obpi)