United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I finally had an EMG done today. It's been three months since my accident. They told me I have severe injury to the nerve roots. Im in the military, all I have is Tricare, and I don't really see the urgency about my case. I'm afraid my doctor won't refer me, provably tell me to wait and continue with therapy. Today I asked for nerve pain medicine for my hand, the doctor said the pain means that the nerve is regenerating and we shouldn't mess that up with pain medicine. Recommended I buy Advil. My future is so uncertain. Soon I will be separated from military, and no job or hopes of getting another. I thought that by being in the military I was going to be covered with good health insurance. Any ideas? I would greatly appreciate them.

I was an RN prior to my injury and I think it is absolute cruelty for an MD to tell you to take Advil for an injury such as this-It is malpractice in my book. Pain Medicine does not "Mess up" healing. Good grief that is a lame comment I think-although I don't always know it all. Ha! Don't inform my kids or hubby about that tho-The "Book of Nurse Jannie"(joke) Maybe if I could be at a computer long enough I would write one.
Anyway, I feel for you and do not know the military-I have a daughter in the Air Force-she is in Afghanistan-what branch of the Military are you in?
Is there an option like civilians have to go on Cobra? Or are you done being covered the minute you leave? Do you have to leave? Don't they give you options to stay?
Anyway, you asked for ideas-I have none but just wanted to post to one of America's finest. Thanks for your service in the Military. I wish I knew what to tell you. Hang in there and God bless! Check on the options in your State for Health Care and then also apply for Social Security Disability if needed

Thank you so much Jannie. I been in the Navy for 12 years. If they separate me from the Navy they would pay me disability and cover any complications with my injuries, but what I really want is for them to a least try to fix me. The doctors act like if im exaggerating about my condition and its like they dont want to see me around anymore. I never heard someone with BPI to the root goes without surgery. im just going to wait till the 16th when the doctor is going to explain to me the EMG results. if he tell me to just wait im going to really involve some people on this. I even write a letter to the mayor of this small town. Again thank you so much, God bless you.

Jannie how long ago was your injury and how did it go if you dont mind me askng?

I don't know your whole situation but it doesn't sound like your doctor is being very respectful of your needs Sadly this seems to happen often with brachial plexeus injuries since so many doctors don't understand it. The two main things to know are that :

1) You need to see a brachial plexus specialist to get proper diagnosis and treatment
2) You want to do this in the first 4-6 months as that is the best "window" for treatment (ie surgery) to work.

I don't know about insurance, though if you are applying for social security do it asap as it can take a LONG time to get that going. In minnesota we have MSHA for people who can't get insurance and are not yet elible for medicare. I don't know if there is something like that where you are from. I may be able to put you in touch with my Doctor from The Mayo Clinic who may be able to help get you a referal there IF your doctor won't give you one (he works withe the BP clinic there). The Mayo clinic in MN has one of the few Brachal plexus specialists in the US (and the world) They are wonderful doctors, but Mayo can be an expensive trip and the hospital's business are can be impossible to deal with if you don't have the right insurance. Others on this site have experience with some other great BP spciealists too and can recommend them. Good luck and I hope this helps

Ang

I was injured when I rolled my jeep over 4 times down the middle of a highway on 5-5-08.
A woman went to turn left into her driveway on the highway and I went to the shoulder of the highway to prevent me hitting her from behind. Broken neck,(history of 6 previous spine surgeries-3 in neck 3 in low back with plates and screws and fusions etcetc) broken arm, wrist, hand, 2 fingers...Discovered nerve damage with EMG 3 mo after accident.
I am 57 -too old they say for any surgery.
So anyway, thats my story and Im sticking to it-haha.
I am on numerous meds.
A suggestion: Take articles one can get thru here explaining TBP injury-or goggle and bring a copy to your Doc explaining the residual pain and all that goes on-I am on numerous meds and now have been referred to a pain doc-hopeful! Also praying for your care-it has to improve! How are you doing it? Owie!

Oh, and I also want to add top to Jannie's comment about America's finest. Way to go and thanks too

I can't believe a Doctor would say that Advil will take your pain away. Anyways, try it and you will see. Go to Mayo Clinic and that's it.

You need to see a Traumatic Brachial Plexus Doctor ASAP. You have a 6 month window to have a nerve transfer. The Mayo Clinic is awesome. I found an awesome knowledgeable surgeon within 2 hours of Raleigh. Dr. Li of Wake Forest University did a great job on my surgery. I have gained full use of my hand and partial use of my arm. Don't put it off too long