United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

"hi. i recently had a bp injury caused by a surgery. it has been three months and i have increasing pain. i am taking neurontin and it makes me terribly sick (any suggestions for meds?). i don't really understand my injury and no doctor has been able to put his finger on why it has happened. the best bet is that it is a traction injury. is there anyone that can explain to me what is happening to my arm. and, is there any relief to be had from muscle spasms in the shoulder/back and chest? thanks" jmehta

This was recently posted by jmehta and I just wanted to start it as a new thread. It was tacked to another thread but thought they might get more answers this way.
Thanks, Sue

Guess we need to ask what kind of surgery you underwent when you got this injury. How did they lay your arm out in readiness for the work. It is very possible that they messed you up when they transferred you from table to bed while you were out, as in jamming your arm into an awkward position.

On an aside, I would endevour to gain a copy of the surgical records to see what they did. Whatever the outcome as to the records of the surgery, can't see that the doctor was at fault at all, you will need the hospital records as far as your aftercare by the nurses. Because you will probably need it when you see an attorney about compensation from the doctor and the hospital. Do not delay any longer, get an attorney, now. If you do this, they will have an easier time in getting the records. And if you think you won't need compensation, because the doctor is so nice, apologetic, so sorry, blah, blah, blah, think again. You are going to need those funds most likely when you need to pay for further repairs. Plus the pain and suffering their screwup has caused you and any future activity you now can't do.

As for the pain, you might ask for a real painkiller okay, like vicadin at the very least, and maybe try a course of zanaflex to help with snuffing the activity of the motor neurons. Tell us what the problems are with the arm beside pain and the spasms in the shoulder/back and chest, which fingers if any, can you not use. How does the hand work, the arm, etc. I also have sporadic chest pain on the injured side, the muscles contracting, and contracting, and contracting.....sigh..........and the shoulder and back pain...........
Wendy

I had a 5 level cervical laminectomy in October 2006. I awoke w/ no abilility to lift my right arm. Tests later indicated bilateral damage to C5 and C6. I have neuropathy in right index finger and thumb. I have regained most range of motion (at about 6 months) but am quite weak in both arms and in particular the right arm. Numerous EMGs and two trips to Mayo yield no solutions. Just wait it out and hopefully I'll get some strength back but Spinner said definite permanent damage. Let me know if you have specific questions.

Hi. Thanks for the responses, I had to create a new account because i forgot my password. An ER doctor decided to take a cyst out of my armpit. As I recall my arm was straight above my head (probably the last time i was able to do that!)At the time, I felt him hit the nerve. My entire arm was on fire. Immediately I noticed that i had no tactile feeling in my upper arm. Since that time, I have started to have a lot of pain. My muscles have all spasmed so my affected shoulder is raised about two inches. I have lost strength in my arm and am experiencing pain in my wrist. I also get stabbing pain in my upper arm and feel almost arthritic in my fingers. My ring and pinky finger are pretty much stuck together. I'm all set on the lawyer front, but apparently it may sporadically heal itself in the next 8 months. No one has been able to tell me what to expect with this injury. I was in PT for a while, but just lost my insurance. As far as I can tell though, it is getting worse as opposed to better. Thoughts? Thanks

Oh, and a secondary issue is that they have found a bulging disc at C5-C6. No one is sure whether they are related, but my orthopedist seems to think that i would get relief from the BP injury if i had surgery on my neck given a nerve does better if it is only compromised in one place as opposed to two.


Message was edited by: jmehta2

AN ER DOCTOR? Why would he do this? Was it infected like a boil? Still and all, they have responsibility. As far as people saying hey, it'll get better within 8 months, maybe, maybe not. And it matters not the length of time you are in excruciating pain, (I know, going on as we speak) it's the amount. Scale of 1-10, I've been at 10 and beyond.

Oh, and a secondary issue is that they have found a bulging disc at C5-C6. No one is sure whether they are related, but my orthopedist seems to think that i would get relief from the BP injury if i had surgery on my neck given a nerve does better if it is only compromised in one place as opposed to two.

As for the bulging disc, I wouldn't do an operation for this. You would need to have a discogram first to see if it is a pain issue. Plus, I also have a hiked up shoulder and my cervical spine is peachy. Been MRI'd 2x and fine. What he is talking about is a double crush on a nerve. Where it could be impinged in two areas along its length. If you haven't had an EMG on the arm yet, he doesn't have a clue where the damage is. Tell you what, I go to a specialist on Thursday and we are going to see why my shoulder is hiked up. Not so bad right now, but I think I traded it for paralyed muscles in my arm. So I'll let you know what went on. Watch for my post.

As I recall my arm was straight above my head (probably the last time i was able to do that!)At the time, I felt him hit the nerve. My entire arm was on fire. Immediately I noticed that i had no tactile feeling in my upper arm. Since that time, I have started to have a lot of pain. My muscles have all spasmed so my affected shoulder is raised about two inches. I have lost strength in my arm and am experiencing pain in my wrist. I also get stabbing pain in my upper arm and feel almost arthritic in my fingers. My ring and pinky finger are pretty much stuck together.

This position would bring the nerves really close to the surface. OUCH! I would ask the doctor for neurontin and vicadin for the pain. And find some way to get an EMG. If you can borrow the money from a relative, do so. You are going to need tests to see what they damaged. Did you have something to numb the area when he did this?

Well, my doctor sent me to the ER to have an abscess removed. It was due to MRSA staph. The ER doc found a cyst underneath it and decided to take it out himself. It of course got infected as well. My neurologist says that the problem then could be due to traction on the nerve, or possibly scar tissue or damage from the infection. I have had an EMG, it is normal. There is one place on the MRI that they cannot see. It is possible that the nerve damage is in that area. Every doctor seems to be scratching his head right now. All I know is it is very frustrating not to have any prognosis, or any definite diagnosis. My next step is to the pain management doctors. Is this worth my time or will they just tell me to stay on my neurontin and pain meds? Thanks

I am surprised your doctor sent you to the ER for this. You don't live in Canada do you? How soon after the operation did you have the EMG done? Because typically there needs to be an interval of time (not sure how long) between injury and EMG for positive findings. On the other hand, it could have been a sloppy EMG and they missed the correct points to test. Not unheard of you know.

As for not getting a dx, well join the club. And a sorry club it is too. Not sure what the pain docs will say or do because I went to one and he flashed through the films so fast there was no way he could have seen anything. He then told me he couldn't help me. Nice huh? I've read his report and in it he recites most all of my ailments to that date (they are lengthy and descriptive) and if you had a clue (which obviously he didn't) it pointed to a spinal injury with cranial nerve involvement. What a shmuck.

Well does the neurontin help at all? There are other varieties of nerve pain meds. Might help to talk with them. I don't think you mentioned what kind of pain meds you are on?


Message was edited by: Wendy Lee

MAYBE THIS WILL HELP YA.i took neurontin for 5 yrs.. and switched to a new one this year called lyrica. used for diabetes. they have me currently at a high dose of 300 2 per day. it works better than neuro.. it took a neurologist to switch me. SHE has much experience with it. It can cause weight gain. But a small price to get rid of tiredness and all the other side affects it has with high doses. I have found more relief in Healing Touch. info at www.healingtouchprogram.com it is a harmless and non painful way of relief. Hard to explain but it worked for me. Enough to get me started learning so I can use it to help others. best wishes, marley