United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I just saw an X-Ray of my OPBI arm and hand (I thought I broke my little finger but it's just a bad sprain). Anyway, I was alarmed to see how thin the bone looked. I am 34 years old and have never been able to do more with my arm than to bend it at the elbow, and I have no use of my hand whatsoever, so all those years of disuse have led to extreme bone loss. The doctor said he had seen bones that bad a few times in 90 YEAR OLD LADIES! So I just want everyone who has as little function as I do to be aware and be careful. I'm going to ask my doctor next week if Boniva or some other osteoporosis drug might help, because though today's finger accident wasn't a break, I fear it's only a matter of time.

CarolynfromLA,
I fell a few years ago and broke my obpi pinky finger. It took so long to heal. Every injury in the injured arm takes longer than average to heal. Looking back I wish I would have taken more cacium into my system when I was your age.

They told me that too when I broke my BPI arm a couple years ago, when I was about 24 years old. Which mad me choose to go for a free bone scan, and that opened my eyes. I started taking Viactiv calcium supplements.

I healed right on schedule, it did take a little longer due to my BPI but it wasn't too bad.

-Traci

Hi! I was just up in Boston and saw Doctor Waters, thankfully my daughter who is 9 does not need any surgery to date!!! But I did ask him about her taking extra supplements of calcium and he not necessary!! So I wonder if maybe she should take extra calcium!!

Hello SS,
I am a true believer that taking a supplement CAN"T HURT!!! They al;ways advise women to take a supplement to avoid Osteo--- anyway. That's my opinion & I am sticking to it!!
HUGS,
Carolyn J
[age 68 & loving it!!]

Oh my, I never thought about that. Granted I've never seen an x-ray of my arm. I do take a calcium supplement but not for my BPI arm. No one's ever mentioned taking it for that before. The only thing they told me was if I take a calcium supplement to take one with Vit D in it because you need it to help your body absorb the calcium.

Makes sense about the decreased bone density. One way to PREVENT bone density loss is to do moderate weight bearing exercise. Well, for those who do not have any or limited function of their BPI arm, they aren't getting much movement let alone any weight bearing exercise of that arm, so this isn't a surprise to me. Any woman should be taking an extra calcium supplement along with enough vitamin D to allow your body to absorb the calcium (most calcium supplements also have to vitamin D in it). As far as a child taking extra calcium, that one I'm not sure of because too much of something can be a bad thing. I'm going to check with my daughter's pediatrician first, but what a great suggestion and topic.

Tanya in NY
Amber's Mom, ROBPI, 3 1/2 years old

Careful with the calcium supplements, too much can cause kidney stones, it happened to me, ouch!!!!!!!!!! Supplements are NOT harmless, check online or with your pharmacist, here's a good site http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/497826
In my case I just reduced my supplements right down, I have no use of my bpi arm anyway so to be honest if it breaks it really won't affect me that much, I'm more worried about the rest of my bones! Incidentally a radiologist recently commented that my non bpi arm had exceptionally solid bone, I guess that's one advantage of using just one arm :0)
Jen NZ
Good topic, it reminded me to get my 18 year old on supplements, she doesn't eat much dairy......

They can also cause constipation!
Marieke