United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

In February of this year I started having extreme pain in my left back/shoulder. By May I had surgery to release the suprascapular nerve. One week after the surgery I started having the same pain in my left arm(forearm & tricep) Within one week I lost the ability to open my hand. The pain is gone except dor an occasional prickly/shocking feel in my hand/joints. I have undergone 4 MRI's and 2 nerve conduction tests and the doctor can't find anything specific.

Unfortunately, my right arm started tingling now in a similiar way but no pain yet. I am also having lesser tingling in my legs.

Any suggestions on how to proceed. I live in North Carolina. I even started going to a chiropractor.

Thanks for any comments/suggestions

Sorry, no it really doesn't sound like a bpi. You can always make an appt. with a bpi clinic just to make sure. Good luck.

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Nancy Birk
UBPN Secretary

you would need to follow up with a professional. On another note, I have heard of people suffering stretch injuries during surgeries, especially long ones when their arm (s) are stretched out without moving them for long periods. I have seen a couple of patients come through that had drank excessively, passed out for a long period of time with their arms stretched up over their heads or under their heads and they were diagnosed with BP damage. Who would have ever thought?

One would hope they would have found a BP injury between the MRI's and the EMG's.

Doctors can be vague about 'specificity' though. It is best to stay involved and learn as much as you can about what *is* wrong, even if it is something that does not have a specific 'syndrome name'.

The tingling starting in right hand and legs makes me think of a more generalized periphreal neuropathy and you should get tested for Lyme, diabetes, etc., if it has not already been done - these things can cause nerve damage.

For the last 18-20 months I have been having CHRONIC pain on my left side of my chest under the armpits and down my left arm...To the point of vomiting ,sometimes 2-3 times a day from the pain.Had MRI..then CT-Mylogram recently..Got results today 07/23/02.Was told that my problems was the Brachial Plexus.. I was put on Neurontin 800mg 3xper day in April.. Got some relief from the pain...Vomiting has just about ceased,maybe 2-3 times a month now.In June was also placed on Tramadol 50mg every 6 hrs as needed for shoulder pain.. more relief. Was also told today that the condition may last 2-3 yrs.... I am a 66 yr old male.At times when the pain starts the LEFT arm feels as if it weighs a ton... I take my right and hold my left arm to get some relief .. Can anyone add or give me any info ..... I would rea;;y appreciate any and all.