United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

HI,
MY NAME IS KAREN. 3 WEEKS AGO I HAD A TERRIBLE FALL WHEREBY I BROKE MY SHOULDER AND HIT THE ROCKS SO HARD THAT I DAMAGED MY BRACHIAL PLEXUS AND HAVE NO FEELING OR USE WHATSOEVER IN MY RIGHT ARM, HAND AND FINGERS. THEY ARE DEAD. I AM SCARED. THE DOC TOLD ME TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. I HAVE BEEN IN SEVERE PAIN. HE WANTS TO GIVE ME NOTHING FOR THE PAIN EITHER. WILL THIS HEAL AND HOW LONG? I AM SCARED AND FULL OF ANXIETY. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE? THANKS.

Hi Karen,
Keep reading these postings, and you will answer alot of those questions spinning through your head. Good luck. Karl

HI KARL, THANKS. I HAVE A LOT OF READING AND SEARCHING TO DO. I AM GLAD I FOUND THIS WEB SITE. KAREN

HI LYN, ACTUALLY I FOUND A SPECIALIST OUT THIS WAY, TORONTO. I WILL CONTACT HIS OFFICE. THANK YOU. KAREN

HI KARL, THANK YOU. I HAVE A LOT OF READING AND SEARCHING TO DO. I AM GLAD THAT I FOUND THIS WEB SITE.

HI LYN, I DID FIND OUT WHO THE BPI SPECIALIST IS IN TORONTO. THAT IS THE CLOSEST I BELIEVE. I AM IN THE COLLINGWOOD AREA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE.

Hey--welcome to the club nobody wants to join.Don't get too bent out of shape worrying--it will take time to find out how well you'll recover. Seems like this only thing predictable about this injury is it's unpredictability.Every body heals and recovers differently. I can tell you a couple things that might help and wouldn't hurt.Stay away from ANY caffine nicotine and alcohol--these are neurotoxins that increase pain and slow healing. Also vitamin b-12 or a good b-complex. A lot of nerve injury patients say it helps with pain and healing.Also having a 'positive attitude'(sounds corny & cliche but...). Your belief in your bodys ability to heal and cope depends on a positive mind set to an extent.I'm just telling you some stuff that's worked for me and what I've heard from others. Your A-#-1 best bet is that specialist. I know you'll do great.I was scared s***less too 10 years ago. Remember--there's ALWAYS somebody at this site who's here for you---Ronin

HI RONIN,
THANKS FOR YOUR WORDS OF WISDOM. IT IS KIND OF HARD TO HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AT THIS TIME NOT HAVING ANY ANSWERS BUT I AM TRYING. SO YOU ARE SAYING THAT THE B VITAMINS ARE GOOD FOR THE PAIN? I HAVE A BAD TIME AT NIGHT, INFACT I HAVE BEEN UP MOST OF THE NIGHT TONIGHT. THE BURNING AND SHOOTING PAINS ARE EXCRUTIATING. CAN YOU SUGGEST ANYTHING ELSE FOR THE PAIN. THANKS RONIN, KAREN

Karen...I am so sorry to hear about your accident and the result of it...it is very important that you get to see a specialist asap who is very experienced in treating adult injuries as the treatment for the babies and children is not necessarily the same..the medical resources section on this site lists quite a few specialists experienced in treating many adult injuries; hopefully you will find a contact near you on there.

Try not to worry too much; easier said than done I know. If you aren't sleeping too well, insist that you get something to help with that from your doctor. Getting a decent night's sleep is half the battle in dealing with these injuries.

Email me anytime, if I can help in any way, I will... liz@tbpi-group.org

Liz B