United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Sorry to everyone I have been away from the boards for a while. Dealing with some major family issues and it has not been easy to say the least. I have been so stressed out and the weather here is so cold that my arm froze up on me for the first time since I had my mod quad surgery.

I used my shocker and it helped a bit, heating patches etc. My question is has anyone ever noticed when severely stressed out if their arm hurts worse. It has also been below zero here for quite some time and I know that doesn't help out much either.

My bicep muscle on my affected arm contracts so tight it's like I'm flexing my muscles and I'm not. It's quite strange.

Just frustrating with everything else that is going on in my life right now.

Any input will help.
Thanks a bunch.
Rachel

Dear Rachel,
YES, yes! everything hurts more BPI and every other area like joints, whole left side because of unbalances.

Can you in any way find alone time to have a massage or pedicure? Students at local training programs are cheaper..(.but need vigilence and "teaching" about your BPI.)

I hope your troubles ease up soon.

((((HUG))))
Carolyn J

Rachel

Stress causes my arm to be very painful and cold.
I don't know why and it does not matter the cause of stress. It can be good stress and my hand arm will freeze even if I am using it.

COLD... is impossible for me! I must keep my right arm, ear and cheek warm. If it is cold out I have such deep pain and sometimes I use to jump in the shower just to warm up my arm and relieve the pain. I try to keep a soft throw nearby to warm my arm. I HATE THE COLD FOR THAT REASON. I was in PT and they put a cold pack on my shoulder... I was in tears and did not realize until them what was causing my arm to be so painful all the time. Everything is tight and stiff when it is cold.

I hope and pray that the stress issues can be resolved soon. But the cold is just piled on top of your stress pain. Keep warm...

Hugs and Prayers
Kath robpi/adult

Rachel, it has been just as cold here in MN and its getting to me too. I have noticed so many more shooting pains. Its been really hard to deal with on top of every thing else. School is killing me right now!
I have to look forward to three tests, to big papers and a presentation next week alone, add work therapy and chiroprator on top of that and good god! And some other secisions I have to have made very soon. Scary!

I finally had some relief, yesterday the weather in Duluth was amazing! We had 40 degrees outside, today we are at about 40 below 0 (not actual temp but temp with wind chill) Not Helping!!!

Hope the weather lightens up a bit for you, its killing me too and I dont like.
Sending you some warm hugs,
Amy 20 years old ROBPI from MN

I'm sorry to hear about the cold causing everyone such pain. I bought a parifin wax container and keep it hot on the kitchen counter for when frankie comes home I just dip the lower arm in then use a cup to pour it over the upper arm its a bit messy but Frankie says it warms his arm from the inside out and my husband dips his hands when he comes in from work its helps his arthritis. I got mine for $29 at CVS and its a nice size. Hope this helps. Mare

Mare, thats a good thought. Wish it didnt bug me, I cant have it on my left hand. Cant feel my right so it doesnt bother my right but its so nasty on my left! I am going to hate that week in OT school next semester, lol. Every one normally loves playing with the parafin wax, then there is me, the weird one lol.

So glad that helps Frankie, I hope it can help someone else too! That would be awesome!
Hugs,
Amy 20 years old ROBPI from MN

Rachel,

This sounds like a muscle spasm "My bicep muscle on my affected arm contracts so tight it's like I'm flexing my muscles and I'm not. It's quite strange. "
Heat and massage can really help with that.
Nerve pain (neuropathic pain) can get worse when you are stressed, tired, sick, cold... even just having your period can increase the problems.
Marieke (32, LOBPI)

Amy
Try putting plastic wrap on your hand or a plastic glove then put the wax on this way you get the heat but don't get the waxy feel, My husband loves the wax says it makes his dry rough hands soft and Frankie just likes peeling it off and throwing wax balls at the kittens.
Mare

Thank You everyone for all of your help.

The hot wax idea sounds like a gret plan. I've been having the numbness in my fingers again and also I've noticed when it's cold I'm holding it funny.

Yesterday a gal I know who knows about my injury said did you do something different to your arm? I said no, why? she just mentioned I was really holding it in a different position. I looked down and oh my gosh, I had it all bent up and holding it towards my body as if it were in a sling.

I'm trying to do my stretches but this cold weather and stress (which doesn't seem to have an end anytime soon) is really getting to me.

Hopefully it will subside here soon. My job invovles a lot of typing and I'm sure that isn't helping it much either.

Anyways, I hope everyone is well and I appreciate your input.

*HUGS*
Rachel from MT

((((HUGGS))))

Sending reeally B-I-G hugs to you , Amy and Rachel,Frankie and Kath. ~~ andevery BPI-er who's cold out there.

Carolyn J