United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

When the weather is bad (rainy, cold like today) does it make anybodys OBPI hurt/sore?

Sarah/13

Yes that is typical with nerve injuries. Weather changes, menstruation, anxiety/stress, illness (colds, flu..), all of these can increases pain.

Marieke 33, LOBPI

Funny you are asking this question. I haven't paid much attention to my OPBI pain until now, because I feel as I am getting older I feel more pain.

Just a few days ago I've started getting a sharp pain in my elbow. Lasts for a minute or so then vanishes only to return later in the day.

I've never seen a doctor for my arm, ever. I recently emailed her and she suggested that I go in for a visit and to possibly set up some physical therapy sessions.

Anyone thing it would be helpful? Does anyone take prescription pain medications or just OTC? I hardly ever take pain medications, but it's starting to really bother me and hurt.

So you have LOBPI and are 25 years old? How come you never went to the doctor? I'm 13. I've had two surgeries for my ROBPI. I've very very veryy lucky not to have pain. I can't really help you out with the pain medications because I've never had any. If you are going to start taking pain meds though, just be careful that you do not get addicted to them. I would definetly go in for physical therapy and to get checked out if I were you. I'm not sure how bad your OBPI is, because everybodys is just a little different. I go to the chiropractor (for scoliosis that they believe is due to my injury) and get a massage (to loosen the muscles in my back and shoulder) about 2-3 times a week. I play basketball so that is enough therapy for my arm. Well go get checked out by a doctor. And, also get more than one opinion on your arm. I've had quite a few different doctors check my arm out. If it wasn't for the 3rd doctor that looked at my arm, they wouldn't of found the significant scoliosis I have in my back.
-Sarah/13/ROBPI

Just to answer your question: I never went because my injury really isn't that bad. I have use of my arm. I can lift it, and rotate it with minor limitations. I also never went because, who knew what the effects of OBPI were 25 years ago? Few.

I didn't have pain when I was 13, but now I do so I'm looking into getting medical treatment.

The weather ALWAYS affects me. I have poor circulation in my injured left arm & hand...goes numb on me when it's cold & I sunburn EASILY in the summer.

Carolyn J
LOBPI/71

Hm I see.
Well if you are starting to get pain now I guess just go and get checked out by a few doctors. See what they can do.

Also about the weather, my arm is the same way.
Poor ciculation. My hand gets cold easily.
When I play sports or run for a certain period of time it gets red and splotchy.
Same thing when I get sun.
One arm is darker than the other =/

I feel like my LOBPI arm is either too cold or too hot, depending on the weather. i tend to sleep on top of it to keep it warm, which sounds wierd, but its very comfortable until it becomes numb. i tend to need to crack my wrist when i wake up often because its stuck in one position for so long. i cant even crack my good wrist if i really try. I have found that my left arm is more flexible at the wrist, and i dont have much feeling from the elbow down, but i am hypersensitive from the elbow up. im planning on getting a tattoo there soon... its going to be interesting!

MEL, 22, LOBPI

re: tattoo.. I would suggest NOT putting it where you are hypersensitive. The nerve pain from that can last MUCH longer after the tatt is done.

I had one put where I am mostly numb and the few spots it hit where I am not were BAD.

Marieke 33, LOBPI

MEL,
I sometimes sleep on my BPI arm too. It keeps it warm at night and helps me sleep better. My wrist and elbow crack quite a bit too. And my ROBPI arm is also much more flexible compared to my left good arm. I thought it was just me! I have the same amount of feeling all the way down my arm. There's not spots where it's numb or anything. It does have a little less feeling than my good arm though. I also don't have any reflexes in my BPI arm.
Sarah/13/ROBPI