United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I have got to say, the more I read about all the pain that most go through with this type of injury the more I am amazed and so very, very grateful that Caralyn never had the pain issues. I never understood at the beginning why the doctors kept asking about pain and why they were always so amazed that she never had any ( all five nerves avulsed, 2 years ago). It has been something that I took for granted until talking to Karen about Ryan's pain and then reading on here more and more about others having the same mind breaking pain. That is incredibly sad that not only do you have the injury but you have a relentless pain to go with it. You all in my thoughts and prayers.
Rene

How old is your daughter? My son is three and his accident was in july of 06. He also had avulsed nerves, C5 through T1, although there is might be something around C8 or T1 as three fingers move involuntarily, two weeks ago he had his nerv surgery at the Mayo with doctors spinner and chin. TK

Hi this is Caralyn,
I'm 16 years old and am in the 10th grade. my accident was in January of 05. I hope the best for your son, and he gets the results you and your family are hoping for and much much more.
Cara

Hi,
19+ yrs and counting. I have seen the "team" of doctor @ Mayo (I have been going to Mayo for 19 years and had 9 surgeries and another coming up in 4 weeks) There was nothing they could do for pain other than drugs, no thanx. I asked about Drez and they did not agree with the procedure. I went to several doctors in Chicago, pain specialists, and they, too, talked of drugs. I had one very eager doctor wanting to do Drez but I researched and researched and the possible side effects were too risky. I have massive pain and it makes me not a nice person at times. Winters are the hardest time of yr. If its warm and I'm outside and keep busy it's not as bad.
Your daughter is SOOOOO lucky not to have pain. That would be my only wish to come true!!
Kath

This DREZ proceedure is controversial. Dr. Nath is in favor of it. But, he recommends one specific surgeon for it. I read on study of a small sample of patients who underwent this surgery. Overall, the outcome was good but not certain. It would be a shame to undergo such a drastic surgery and not improve or possibly worsen. And yet, some people are pain free. I cannot imagine what it must be like...nor can the physicians out there trying to treat it. They don't know what to do so the throw drugs at people who then can't function because of the side effects and who don't get true relief. I can't count how many MDs who know what his injury is, have repeatedly touched his hand and asked him...can you feel this? No nerves, no sensation, but terrible pain. Hard for people to comprehend. Michele