United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I have a check up with my normal doctor about every four months because I have so many health issues. I asked him if he had been getting any of the reports from my neurologist and he said no. I really want his take on all this because he is a very good dr. Anyway, I gave him the run down on what had been going on since I started seeing the neruo and he was very surprised that my neuro had not sent me to an orthopedist yet. He also seemed a bit surprised that he wasn't even sending me for a consult for my CTS. I told him that the neuro just said to increase my neurontin and add some aleve to my daily meds and that maybe if things didn't get better he would send me to a neuro surgeon for a consult later on. My dr. asked why to send me to a neuro surg rather than an orthopedist. I didn't know. He was also concerned with the dosage of the neurontin I am on and would like to see me on a newer med that's only been around for about 9 months. He also mentioned changing my antidepressant to a new one that works the same as the one I'm on but also has pain med qualities. He then asked how much aleve I was taking and I told him one tab 2x aday. He was so surprised that the neuro had me on so little. He told me to up that to 2 2x a day and if that didn't help to play around with some other anti inflamitories. If none of those work he wants to put me back on Naproxin. He asked me if I was still trying to get to the specialists I had mentioned and I told him yes. He said he would really like me to see one of them and if there was anything he could do to let him know. He did say though that because I was seeing this neuro that he wasn't sure he wanted to bypass him and order things like an orthopedic consult anyway. But he did ask me to make sure he got copies of my neuro records because he really wanted to follow this to make sure I was getting the best care.

I really like my reg dr. he is so up to date with new meds and treatments though he admits that he doesn't know enough about OBPI's to feel comfortable enough to treat me though he is more than willing to do anything he can to get me the best treatment.

Sorry that got so long.

Hi,
Just to let you know, Aleve is Naproxin.... there are different strengths, but it is the same drug.

How much Neurontin are you on? You can take up to 3600 mg a day. The new drug is called Lyrica (pregabalin) and is not always covered by inssurance companies. And there is some controversy still as to how affective it is compared to Neurontin, some people swear by it others say it doesn't work.

The antidepressant he wants to change to, is it Elavil (Amitriptyline)? I use that for pain too. It's a common one for that.

If you have any questions I can try to answer (I know meds fairly well!)

Marieke (LOBPI)

My son also saw a neurosurgeon. His was up front with us and told us that he didn't have the expertise in a bp injury. Our physiatrist was happy to send a letter so that Dustin could see the BPI group at Mayo. I think I would ask my Dr for a referral to see a specialist or orthorpedist or who ever you think can help. Not all drs are able to admit when someone else has more experience in an area. Don't know if your neurologist fits this catagory, but think you should see anyone that may further your recovery.
Sue

The antidepresant was also one he said was new and it started with a C. It was a very weird sounding name. Lycra was what he said. I can never remember the names.

I should also elaborate. The reason that the neuro was considering sending me to a neuro surg was for my CTS. my emg only shows that it's mild but I have symptoms that are on the more severe side.