United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi I’m new here and I have an observed brachial plexus compression in both of my arms which causes arm numbness when either arm is raised. The arm numbness is impacting my sleep because I cannot sleep on my sides because either arm will go numb for trying to sleep on my side. I also am forced to sleep on my stomach with my arms fully extended touching my knees because if either arm is brought up to my head that arm will go numb as well. I’ve been waking up 30 to 60 times every night for the past five to ten years. Things like shaving or brushing my teeth causes my arms to numb in ten seconds when they’re raised. I’ve seen many many specialists for thoracic outlet syndrome and none of them can find any compression in the thoracic outlet region through any testing or imaging. However, there is no doubt about it, I have the clinical symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome. A doctor that I’m seeing suggested the compression might actually be in the brachial plexus region by the a/c shoulder joint.

Here’s the odd thing, I’ve never had an accident or an injury that would of caused this, especially since it is in both arms, so it is odd and puzzling that it’s in both arms. So far all my research on brachial plexus compression has only led me to brachial plexus injury yet I’ve never had an injury like this. I can’t find any information on the internet specifically about my condition but I figured brachial plexus injury might lead me to see the right doctor. I’ve had MRIs and MRA/MRVs of the chest and neck, sonograms of the neck, and three EMGs. All of them were negative for compression. So far no tests or images on the shoulder region.

Anyone know what specialist I could see for this? I’ve been to several neurosurgeons, vascular surgeons, and neck orthopedic surgeons. Is there a specific doctor who operates on this? Are there any tests or procedures that can be done to confirm this condition?

hi -

i have had similar symptoms (due to injury and not as severe...but nonetheless very apparent compression symptoms). it took 9 months and many tests before i had a vascular study (blood pressure cuffs on different parts of your arm and a sensor on fingertips which basically "read" the pressure as you move your arms in different provocative positions such as arms raised above head, military salute, ms with head turned etc) - this test confirmed that the "vascular bundle" was being compressed but only when my arms were in certain positions....this led to an mri with contrast which also was able to reveal information (images consistent with bpi traction injury) that was not detected on a regular mri...

my champion physiatrist believes that certain body types are prone to this type of compression...


go to PT! not easy - but be aware of your posture all of the time (forward bending and reaching down are huge triggers for me - stay on top of the pain (i am on cymbalta for the discomfort - it doesn't take it away, but makes it tolerable and i don't feel as obsessed with this total shift in my life and career). oh and a cervical heating pad almost every night has been helpful for me!!!

best of luck to you
jen

Your best freind is more pillows for support , so you dont compess
The pain comes with , scare tissue and lack of blood flow and numbness, Pin and needles, My best friend is a heating pad an ice for pain sleeping on my side help to with my arms cross. The best Theropy is exercising your limations by doing something you enjory inspite of the pain you indure by trying
Interesting We do take way more pain , in our trys
I am like many posting here, I would rather indure more pain trying than not trying, Wakeing up in pain sucks, Enduring pain and not becoming addicted to a pill comes with this advise We all are on a Quest for the best pain med, If you finnd a pill or whatever works do it, If more is needed and you find , you need more of , WhateverS Apsolutely use something else for pain If you can find a way to have the scare tissue taken out Than you will find the way to lesson a further streach nerve, less pain a increase blood flow Pin and needles
What I do know is it is Tough being us No matter in life when this happen What I do know is we All our Glotons for pain in our Trys There is a positive outcomes in our trys overtime, Be happy in your trys than the reqret of not trying,
I would rather be in pain than depressT!!
Just Thinking
Tom