United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My daughter is 13 and has a LOBPI. When she is well the left arm and hand are warmer than her right. Anything time she is sick and runs a fever, her left arm starts hurting. That is usually how I know she is running a fever. Well, she is sick with a sinus infection and bad cough. Fever started today. Left arm pain also started. But for the first time her left arm and hand are ice cold. Does anyone have any suggestions or similar situation that can help us? She is using a heating pad to deal with the aches and pains. But I wonder why her arm is so cold.

As I sit here with my semi-sleeve on one arm I have to agree I feel cold A LOT more in my affected arm. Lately at night when it's just a little chilly I've been using my husband's old sleeve-like thing they gave him for his knee after surgery. It helps so much that I'm going to start recyling old socks or looking for leg warmer like things for my arm. When I shower I have to run my arm under the hot water for a couple minutes until it's warm enough for me to turn that side away from the warmth of the hot water.

Never noticed when I'm sick if it gets cold more, but I wouldn't be suprised. I tend to wrap that side in covers a lot more sick or not.

Pain I don't experience as much, but I do know that when my arm is cold I tend to tighten up a lot and kind of curl it up close to me in an akward manner...like my hand curls under and I tighten my upper arm closer to me.

-Traci

I always assumed that Maia's arm was always cold due to decreased circulation. When we used TES (the nighttime e-stim that was done to increase circulation) regularly - her arm was always warm. So we made it a point to do it during the winter months rather than summer.

How about arm warmers? (like leg warmers but for arms) or actually you could use leg warmers... they have some really pretty ones.

Francine:
I just got arm warmers for Julie!!!!!

Hers are black with some design on them. Because they are made for women (not kids) they are a little long, but she doesn't mind.

Search under "arm warmers". Or search for sites that cater to runners. They are a product that women who run distance would wear. Ours were not too pricey: $20 for two.

Juliana usually feels cold in her affected arm. Her affected hand is always clammy. She sort of wraps her arm up in her blankets as she sleeps.

claudia


Message was edited by: claudia

YES, it is common for "BPI-ers" to have super sensitivity to the weather, especially cold. Many of us adults have share on this topic on the Adults with OBPI Forum/Message Board.

BTW,everyone is welcome on al of the public Message/Forum Boards. Just type a word or subject in the "Search Forum' Box at the top of the page and al posts wil come up for you.

Hugs all around our UBPN Family,
Carolyn J
LOBPI/adult age 70

I have a parafin wax machine pluged in the kitchen frankie uses it to warm his hand and arm and to help with aches and pains we bought it at walmart for 20 bucks it only fits a little past his wrist so he uses a soup ladle to pour it over his elbow he says it feels really and takes the pain right away. hope this helps
Mare

I tried the parafin wax one cold day at the Fitness center I go to; the trainer used it for his stroke Rehab members It worked very well on my LOBP{I hand & I liked the feeling of the hot parafin.
HUGS,
Carolyn J
LOBPI/70

ooooooohhhhhh, I can get one for home really? I went to PT and I told them I wanted one for home. It felt so good!

Also thanks for the arm warmer idea, I figured they had something like that, I'm excited to go get some. See, just another time I didn't realize it was common BP problem. I wrapm my arm in a blanket as well.

-Traci

My arm and hand are always cold. I type and my hand is still freezing. It's so annoying and sometimes painful. When I was in PT they tried to put and ice pack on my right shoulder and I ended up almost in tears. Traci I do the same thing in the shower...

I had a major problem testing my kids bottles because I tested them on my right forearm and did not realize I can't feel heat there... I sleep with and extra soft blanket just for my right arm. I watch TV with a wrap on my right arm and sometimes I put something just over my right arm when at the computer.

My right leg is also much colder than my right and I have not fully figured that out. One BPI doctor said that when the spinal cord is damages as in avulsion it natural that the entire side of the body is damaged.

I hate winter! I love anything fleece next to my arm because it's soft and keeps it warm.

Kath robpi/adult

Hi. My son Josh who is 13 has temperature and color changes in his arm when it is hot or cold. He has not complained of pain and I have not noticed if there is a temperature change with a fever. Several years back I took him to a specialist to check on his circulation. At the time he was experiencing significant color changes to his affected arm. This was following arm surgery when he was three. We learned that his circulation is just fine. We were told that the temperature and color changes are a result of his arm being confused when the fight or flight system or parasympathetic nervous system was in use. Basically, when his body works to regulate its temperature the nerves of his affected arm have trouble reading the messages and responding correctly.

At age 13 now I just see the arm turn some red or maybe slight purplish but not the shocking darker colors that we used to see. I notice the color change from being outside in the summer or winter and from when he's running around inside getting overheated from playing.