United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I already posted this on the general board but here goes.

For warmth this morning I used a ThermaCare Wrap for pain relief and muscle relaxation on Michaelas arm to keep it wrm all day. They provide 8 hours of low-lwvel warmth.

For more info go to www.thermacare.com for samples and coupons. They are available at most major grocery, drug and general stores like Walmart or Target.

Try it and see if it helps. LeeAnne

LeeAnne

Thanks for the information. I am sure that it would help lots of us with our cold arms.

Right now my unaffected side is so tight and hurts so I am going to try this on my days off from PT...
I only have to worry about skin rash for adhesive..

http://www.thermacare.com/

Looks interesting.
Kath

Thanks LeeAnne,

I could have used it yesterday when I was chipping ice off my rental car in New England. I felt that ice storm had grabbed my bpi arm in its cold blast and that it was sheathed in ice like the car was. Took forever to feel warm again. Glad to be back home.

I will pick some up next time I am in the pharmacy.

Nancy

I love to try this, but one thing has me worried, I'll cut and paste from the Thermacare site:
'Precautions
To reduce the risk of irritation, avoid wearing ThermaCare for more than 8 hours a day or for more than 7 days in a row. Do not use ThermaCare with medicated lotions, creams, or ointments, or on skin that is broken or damaged. You should also not use ThermaCare on areas of bruising or swelling that have occurred within 48 hours or on areas of the body where heat cannot be felt. People unable to remove the product, including children, should not use ThermaCare. Consult your doctor about using ThermaCare if if you have diabetes, poor circulation, rheumatoid arthritis or are pregnant. '

I have no feeling at all in my bpi arm so according to this I shouldn't use it, although I note it also says children shouldn't use it and it looks as though they are, and doing fine. I have contacted the company about this and I'll post if/when they reply. Thanks for posting the link, if they company give the thumbs up for use in insensate arms, I'll post it on the tbpi board :0)

I emailed the company also. I think they're afraid of burns or problems not being felt. I would try it on your non-BPI side first to get the idea of the sensation and how hot it gets on you and how it feels before you use it on your BPI arm.

We used one on Michaela today and she did fine with it. I would think if you used it when being outdoors for lengthy periods, or on really cold nights it would help.

We also use a microwavable bed buddy. It's a tube of insulated material with a gel pack you warm and put inside, which could be used or alternated with the thermacare patches. Since everyone is different all I can say is try it and see if it works for you.

Just trying to help! God Bless all of you! LeeAnne

Hi! These wraps sound amazin! do you know if they are available in the UK? How much do they cost?

Where on Michealas arm do you put it?

Thanx in advance!

Michelle x

Michelle, I couldn't tell you if they have them there. If you go to the Thermacare website there is a place to e-mail the company and I would check to see if there is a list of retailers.

Michaela is only 6 so the wrap covered most of her arm.It has adhesive on either end.

LeeAnne

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I put the neck wrap on last night.... I was warm...so I moved it on the shoulder... I am tight on the unaffected side because of years of compensation and the cold makes my neck tighter... during the night I moved it again right on to bpi shoulder.... that seemed to help a great deal....

This morning I took it off after wearing it for 10 hours... laid it aside got dressed to walk out doors... picked it up and it was STILL warm so I put it on my bpi forearm (always sooo cold) under my shirts.... went to walk for almost two hours... it was still warm when I finished and it was about 40 today... I am amazed at how warm it kept my arm... how long this was warm and also how I did not have to wear as warm a jacket just to keep the right arm warm.....

Thanks... now I will try all different sizes.. The tape did not bother me either... which is amazing... let's hope this lasts... I love it!!!!

This means I can walk all winter outdoors with a jacket on and not worry about keeping my right arm warmer....

Thanks again
Kath

You're very, very welcome!!!!! If it only helped one person it was worth it! I'm so glad for you.Kinda reminds me of a portable heating pad that can't get too hot, and you don't have to fry the rest of your body to keep the BPI arm warm. Enjoy the freedom. Blessings, LeeAnne