United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hello, my name is Veronica, my mother had shoulder replacement surgery in June 2003, she woke up from surgery crying with pain and numbness in her hand and forearm. The pain is nearly unbearable has anyone ever experienced this before. We can't find anyone who has had this type of injury from surgery. She overheard the dr telling a student that she was a malpractice suit waiting to happen but we need help getting started any suggestions?
Thanks veronica

My children have brachial plexus from birth so I can't be of any help with the surgery injury. However I would advise you to get a copy of the hospital records and go see an attorney as soon as possible. Also write down everything that happened right away. Good luck.

Cindy

I suffered a bp injury when I had a lump removed from my under arm. I woke up with my wrist hanging down and it was numb. I questioned the surgeon and he assured me it was ok. After the numbness wore off I suffered with severe pain. He still didn't tell me what it was. I finally on my own saw a neurologist who sent me for tests and told me I had a bp injury. Things went down hill from there. I was told it would take 6 months to 1 year to heal. I suffered for months and had to go through weeks of therapy. I couldn't use my hand at all it looked like I had a stroke but it was the intense pain that put me in to a depression. I am alot better now after taking anti-depressents. I just had a test done and I have a permanent tremmor in my hand. Everyone says I should see a lawyer because the surgeon never addressed the problem. He just kept saying it was ok. I have never endured such pain in my life. My prayers go out to anyone with problem. After 16 months I am finally getting my life back and can sleep again.

Veronica,
What state are you guys in? Maybe someone here can refer you to a BPI attorney? Good Luck and sorry to hear about your mother.
Paula

Thanks Paula We are in Ohio I didn't think to put that in the original message. My mom can't tie her shoes, zip her pants or even fix her hair. If she bumps her hand she nearly passes out from the pain.
Veronica

Hi! I had shoulder replacement surgery in January. I was told by the surgeon and by a neurologist that I had a brachial plexus stretch as a result of the injury or that it can happen during surgery. It was my left shoulder and I barely have any use in my left hand right now. I was told that it would get better between 6 weeks and 6 mos. depending upon the severity of the stretch. After surgery my little funger and ring fingers were fine. The middle finger was partially impaired. My pointer finger had no movement on its own and my thumb was partially impaired. I saw some improvement briefly with Occupational Therapy but it has gotten worse. My doctor will not look at my hand and has oonly had 2nd hand descriptions of what is happening with my hand. Today I was called and told happily that my doctor hasscheduled me for Lymphedema treatments. I sure can't see the correlation between the two. I am so frustrated.

I have scheduled an appointment with a dr. in Boston.

Re: the pain. I am on a total amt. of 800 mgs of neurontin a day (200 mgs 4 xs a day - not a high dose for this drug)) and that has helped me with the pain.

I want to hear more about your Mom .. maybe I can help as we are going through recovery at about the same time.

'Look forward to reading more ...

On the subject of pain...I saw Jerry Lewis on TV recently. He had chronic back pain (those pratfalls take their toll) and he became addicted to the pain meds. He now is off the pain meds because he has a little device implanted in his spine. It is made by the company that makes pacemakers. He can dial up or down the intensity, but it sends electrical signals that block the pain signals going to the brain. He says it is a miracle machine. He is finally painfree after decades of pain. I wish I remembered the name of the company...

Many hospitals now have pain specialists. Not just your neurologist should be giving you pain meds, but there should be someone who really understands pain and believes that it is as debilitating as it is.

good luck,
claudia

I would like to say that after reading many of your posts ((Claudia)) here and there as I perused the message board posts,you offer kind and sound guidance.

It will be 2 months on the 29th of this month since I had the surgery. I am taking the Neurontin, as I described, and I am prescribed to take 2 oxycontins (10 mg. each)within a 24 hr, period. These days I take oxyc at night only, for the most part, and deal with the pain during the day with Aleve and Motrin. Aleve works well with Neurontin, according to what I have read, but the Motrin seems to help the swelling in my hand better.

I have always been a strong person. When I read what parents go through, I tell myself that my pain is nothing compared to the pain a parent must have for their child. But my pain is still very real and I am glad to have found this place to communicate.

My pain includes the frustration of not having a doctor to communicate with so that I truly believe that my situation is being dealt with properly. I have felt so vulnerable and somewhat helpless.

How can a doctor prescribe a type of medical treatment when he has not even looked at the problem, my hand? (That was today's last little communicado from his office,) He has prescribed a treatment for people who have had breast cancer/lymph nodes removed and the like.

Thank God for my Occupational Therapist and for all of the underpaid therapists in this world that help us.

Hi everyone, I'm new to the posts. My bpi is probably unique in that it started over 22 years ago & continues to worsen. I'm at a point now where I just wish I had the nerve to end it all. It started with a lumpectomy for bc & subsequent radiation. Shortly afterward I experenced shooting pains down my arm & hand. Then the pain & numbness in the thumb & forefinger. My surgeon blew me off so I sought the advice of numerous doctors (about 9 or 10). No one seemed to be able or willing to help & I had no diagnosis. 2 years ago I had an accident & the pain spread to the other 3 fingers & the whole palm. Again I sought the advice from several doctors & was told I had carpal tunnel. I was in extreme pain at the time so scheduled carpal tunnel surgery immediately. Now 2 years later the pain is unbearable much of the time. Finally I saw an osteopath who tried various pain meds & pressure point release with little or no improvement. At my request he prescribed neurontin which takes the edge off the pain but its tearing up my stomach & intestines so bad that some days I have to stop taking the neurontin. I'm sorry that this is so long but I was wondering if anyone as any suggestions. My os has tried to refer me to a bp specialist but they apparently don't even want to set up an appt. I feel as though I'm alone in the world with no one to understand or care that I'm suffering hell. Jan from Morgantown, WV

Jan
You need to go to a Pain Clinic/Specialist.
Check the Medical Resource Directory for nearest bpi center.

http://ubpn.org/medicalresources/

At camp UBPN this past Sept. Dr. Belzberg gave a talk on pain management he is at Johns Hopkins in Maryland

Hang in there...
Post your message on the Tbpi/adult board perhaps some of the tbpi can help you with doctors.
http://ubpn.org/messageboard/forum.jsp?forum=18

KathM