United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I've asked in the clavicle post of Joy, but if anyone else has this I have this question.

For those that have this as well as BPI, how does it affect you?

Wendy,

I posted this in another thread but figured I would copy it over here.

I have about 50% use of my left arm, hand and shoulder. Some days it is more. Some days it is less. But, I average about 50%. I am not able to lift my arm any further than shoulder height. The pain can be anywhere.... neck, shoulder, shoulder blade, the ball of the shoulder, wrist, hand, fingers.

Tonight the left side of my face is fevered, red and sensitive to the touch. My vision is slightly blurred in the left eye and I have ringing in my ear. The ringing if still there when I go to bed is horrible! I will have to turn the TV or radio on to help drown out the ringing. The ball of my shoulder feels like it is going to fall out and is achy.

My arm does not comfortably go out straight. I keep it slightly bent at the elbow. I use a fanny pack or purse that goes over my shoulder to rest my arm on when I am out. I am looking into a sling to use instead. The weight of my arm pulls on the shoulder and neck causing swelling, numbness and pain.

To be honest with you Wendy I am not sure what is TOS or BPI related. They over lap so much it would be hard for me to pin point what symptom is associate with which injury. I know the swelling in the clavicle area is TOS related. I know the pain in my chest just under the clavicle is TOS related. The pain in the arm pit is most likely TOS related however it could be BPI related. The weakness and lack of grip in my hand could be TOS or BPI related.

Here is a web site you may want to explore, if you have not already.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/thor ... oracic.htm

http://www.nismat.org/ptcor/thoracic_outlet

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoracic_outlet_syndrome

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brachial_plexus This is a really good one that shows how everything is connected and intertwined!

Hello

My husband has TBPI and TOS and has been told he has RSD. His arm use is at about 40%...he cannot raise it above his shoulder. His left arm and first three fingers is always numb! The pain never goes away for him, it is always in the scapula area, although his scapula area is pretting numb to touch that is where his pain is always at, it never radiates to any other areas. He does have the popping of his joint in the shoulder also. The ear ringing is there, along with the swollen face(Dr Swartzman told us that was the RSD).

For Matt this combination of injuries has ruined his life. He cannot go a minute of any day without some pain. He is on methadone, fentynl 100, lyrcia, flexeral, lidoderm patches, zoloft and few more I do not remember. But all of these drugs are killing him day by day. He just had an IV with Lido for 5 days in the hospital, he had some relief with it but not much. So for Matt who cannot work ever again due to all of his problems he has a rough time dealing with it all. He is 31 years old and cannot even pick up a gallon of milk. He loved his job.....and for him he has a problem accepting that his career is over.

I hope this helps somewhat but Matt's injury is so life changing for his family.

Beth

Beth,

Dr. Swartzman was the one of the first doctors I was diagnosised by. He is a wonderful doctor! He is the one that sent me to Dr. Hunter at the Hand Center.

I also deal with RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy). But, like I said before it is hard for me to pinpoint where one injury (BPI, TOS, RSD) starts and another begins. They all over lap so much.

Beth, my heart goes out to your husband. I do understand what he is going through. I was a single parent when I had my accident at the age of 27. We had just moved back in with my parents. I was on a 5 year plan to finish college and start a career that would support my son and I without help. Needless to say God had other plans for me. Not only did I not finish college but I was unable to work anymore. I needed help dressing, fixing meals, personal grooming... everything. Until I eventually figured out a way to do these things for myself. I still need help but not like I did in the beginning. Three surgeries also helped me regain some of my independence.

But, most importantly you know what I was able to do? Watch my son grow into a man. The pain, physical therapy (torture), medications, horrid doctors and surgeries were all worth it for that alone. The pain becomes a little more tolerable when you think of the alternative. Now don't get me wrong there are still days I am curled up in bed in so much pain it hurts to breath! Days where the clothing on my back hurts so bad I think I will go mad. But even those days I am grateful to be feeling the pain.

Stick with Dr. Swartman he will get your husband where he needs to be. Trust him. I wish I still lived close enough to see him.

Here are a few sites on the RSD.

http://www.neurologychannel.com/rsd/symptoms.shtml

http://www.neurologychannel.com/rsd/treatment.shtml

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/refl ... trophy.htm