United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Just checking to see how you are doing? Did you get to meet Dr. Belzberg?

Judy

I just got back from meeting with Dr. Belzberg. His advise was to try to get some sort of nerve graph ASAP or else risk probably amputation in a few years. He beleives I whacked out my whole brachial plexus, all nerves avulsed. So I guess if I am going to have any possible use of my left arm, I am going have to schedule the operation quick. Tommorow is exactly the three month anniversary of my accident. I'll keep you updated on what's going on.
Thanx Love SUSAN

Sue

Glad to see you got some expert advice. Keep us posted on how you are doing. Did he help you with pain problems and how to handel them? I really hope so.

Kath

Susan,

Did he give you any advice for the pain in the meantime. Keep us informed and let us know. We all care. Judy

Dr. Belzberg didn't talk to me too much about pain medication. He said that pain is managed by a cocktail of medications. After trying out all different combinations, and still are not dealling with the pain issues, he can do a DREZ procedure. In his words. With avulsed nerve root, the pain is actuall coming from the spinal column by the motor cell body that does not have nerve tissue to transmit the motor action to the muscle. With the Drez procedure, Dr. Bezlberg will basically cauterize the motor cell body within the spinal column so it will stop sending messages of "phantom" pain to the arm. The only risky part is that the area of the motor cell body for the arm is such a small portion of the spinal cord. There is a possible risk to the leg nerves of the same size of the affective arm. Leg damage can be slight numbness all the way to paralysis. It is a risky procedure. I do not think Dr. Bezlberg would ever prescribe anyone to get the procedure, he does it only if he is specifically sought out to preform it. The risk factors of additional injury is probably why this procedure is not done that offend,
I hope this information helps
SUSAN

Dr. Belzberg didn't talk to me too much about pain medication. He said that pain is managed by a cocktail of medications. After trying out all different combinations, and still are not dealling with the pain issues, he can do a DREZ procedure. In his words. With avulsed nerve root, the pain is actuall coming from the spinal column by the motor cell body that does not havenerve tissue to transmit the motor action to the muscle. With the Drez procedure, Dr. Bezlberg will basically cauterize the motor cell body within the spinal column so it will stop sending messages of "phantom" pain to the arm. he only risky part is that the area of the motor cell body for the arm is such a small portion of the spinal cord. There is a possible riskto the leg nerves of the same size of the affective arm. Leg damage can be slight numbness all the way to paralysis. It is a risky procedure. I do not think Dr. Bezlberg would ever prescribe anyone to get the procedure, he does it only if he is specifically sought out to preform it. The risk factors of additional injury is probably why this procedure is not done that offend,
I hope this information helps
SUSAN