United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I don't know if anyone's noticed, I'm new to this site. My dad was in an accident on April 17 2003 and has been in severe pain since then. He is taking dilaudids, hydromorph, & gabapentin for pain. He was on a different combination that seemed to work but I was wondering I've been reading these message boards and I'm curious to know if those who are not on medication, how severe is your case as well as does anyone know about pain management? How effective it is? I realize every patient is different I'm just trying to get a few ideas. My dad wants to come on here and talk to some people, I think it would be helpful for him. He had his C8 and T1 ripped out of the spine when he had his accident. He just got out of the hospital from having surgery but I'm not sure exactly what they were trying to accomplish with it. We live in Ontario, Canada and he's been dealing with specialists in London. If anyone has any suggestions please contact us or reply. Thank you, Jenn

Hi Jennifer...I'm sorry to hear about your Dad and the pain he is in. It is the worst part of this injury and at first can be quite difficult to manage.

We have a website for people with a TBPI and there is an article on there about pain, plus a set of FAQ'S which might help. Also, the last UBPN Outreach magazine carries an article about pain written and compiled by me and Jen in New Zealand; if you email Nancy (president of UBPN) she might be able to send you a copy (sorry Nancy...maybe I should have asked you first?? ;0))

Links to the articles are; (FAQ'S)
http://tbpiukgroup.homestead.com/faq_1intro.html
Central pain:
http://tbpiukgroup.homestead.com/centralpainbpi.html

Hope these are useful...email me anytime; I will be only too glad to help. Best wishes to your Dad..tell him I am thinking of him; I am 10 years with this injury, but I well remember those early, scary days.

Best wishes
Liz B :0)