United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I was given 2 shots (Tetanus and Pneumonia)three months ago as part of a routine checkup (why, I don't know, I was a 50yr old man in extremely good health with no history of pneumonia). A week later severe arm and shoulder pain began and I developed flu like symptoms. The following week I lost muscle strength in my wrist and fingers. During this time visits to the administrating Doctor got me nowhere, he ordered chest xray and bloodwork but insisted over and over that my problems could not be related to the shots. He finaly referred me to a neurologist who administered a EMG and immediately diagnosed me with Brachial Neuritus.
Question? Aside from the typical BP symptoms I've described above, I have also been having upper back pains and some tightness and pressure in my lungs, sometimes leading to severe coughing fits. I also find that my body develops fatigue very easily. The neurologist does not seem to find any coorolation with these symptoms to BP. Has anybody had similar problems? Also can somebody recommend a specialist in my area (New York City)Thank you.

Hi Joe,

Well, if it helps, you are not alone! I developed brachial neuritis following a tetanus booster last February. Drs also denied it cd be due to the shot but had no other aggravating factor, and brachial neuritis is listed as an accepted adverse reaction to the tetanus toxoid. Was told repeatedly to wait, it wd all get better in time. Evidently for some it does, but in my case the shoulder girdle muscles were so weakened the shoulder dropped 2 inches and the collarbone is compressing the nerves in the brachial plexus, causing pn 24/7 and atrophy of the ulnar innervated muscles in the hand. I am dx'd with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type 2 or causalgia. Am in the early stages of filing an appeal for compensation from the vaccine injury fund.

I hope your story has a happier ending. Your lung problem has me a bit worried though. Guillian-Barre is also a known adverse reaction to tetanus and often people with this have to be hospitalized as their lungs become essentially paralyzed, unable to work on their own. I wd definately want to get checked out by a TOP neurologist, STAT! I know there is a Neurological Institute in NYC said to be very good, Baylor? Baynor? Sorry, it's something like that. There is also Dr Robert Schwartzman in Philly, he is tops for dx'g TOS and CRPS, but can be very long wait to get in, but maybe they could suggest someone else in NYC?

Hope you get some good answers, I am still looking for some.

beth

Beth

Thank you for your response to my post. Your information was very helpful and I think that many of my signs are pointing in the direction of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. The problem wil be in finding a qualified doctor who has expertise in this area.

Best of luck to you with your situation, and happy holidays to you and your family.

Dr. Abbott is a bpi specialist in NYC - he's at Beth Israel Hospital. Kathleen Malozzi (UBPN board member) went to him and gave me good feedback on him - you can contact her at kathm@ubpn.org.

Last year this time I had pneumonia and developed bpi neuritis from it. The pain was horrible. The things that worked best was heat and interferential electrical stimulation. I also worked my muscles every single day to the max to keep them from atrophying until recovery. They say the bp neuritis lasts from a few months to 7 years. Mine mostly resolved itself but there is residual weakness and pain but since it is nothing like it was I take every day as a new day.

I hope that Dr. Abbott can help you. I, too, am worried about the lung issue - I'd make sure that Abbott gets you to see a pulmonologist as well. Wondering if the phrenic nerve is involved.

Good luck,
-francine


New York BPI Specialists/Clinics
Rick Abbott, MD

Approved contact information:
Beth Israel Medical Center-Singer Division
Pediatric Neurosurgery
170 East End Avenue
New York, NY 10126
phone: 212-870-9600
fax: 212-870-9810
email: rabbott@bethisraelny.org
website: www.nyneurosurgery.org

> Hi Joe,
>
> Well, if it helps, you are not alone! I developed
> brachial neuritis following a tetanus booster last
> February. Drs also denied it cd be due to the shot
> but had no other aggravating factor, and brachial
> neuritis is listed as an accepted adverse reaction to
> the tetanus toxoid. Was told repeatedly to wait, it
> wd all get better in time. Evidently for some it
> does, but in my case the shoulder girdle muscles were
> so weakened the shoulder dropped 2 inches and the
> collarbone is compressing the nerves in the brachial
> plexus, causing pn 24/7 and atrophy of the ulnar
> innervated muscles in the hand. I am dx'd with
> Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and Complex Regional Pain
> Syndrome type 2 or causalgia. Am in the early stages
> of filing an appeal for compensation from the vaccine
> injury fund.
>
> I hope your story has a happier ending. Your lung
> problem has me a bit worried though. Guillian-Barre
> is also a known adverse reaction to tetanus and often
> people with this have to be hospitalized as their
> lungs become essentially paralyzed, unable to work on
> their own. I wd definately want to get checked out
> by a TOP neurologist, STAT! I know there is a
> Neurological Institute in NYC said to be very good,
> Baylor? Baynor? Sorry, it's something like that.
> There is also Dr Robert Schwartzman in Philly, he is
> tops for dx'g TOS and CRPS, but can be very long
> wait to get in, but maybe they could suggest someone
> else in NYC?
>
> Hope you get some good answers, I am still looking
> for some.
>$%$
> beth

hello paul here..i also just recently was administered
a tetanus b booster...3 days ago..the injection site is oedematous,and sore..irritable....and malaise...but the worst is this tingling numbing..brachial plexus problem..%^@$ hurts.....PLZ TELL ME.will it go away and when..Ive had brachial plexus 1 ce in the past but it was due from sleeping on a couch for a yr..1 ce i obtained a bed room every thing went away.....the plexus is back but this x involving a bit of the lower back as well..where tru brachial plxz .doesnt involve back but shoulder arm....plz
if u can help thanx paul........

> Hi Joe,
>
> Well, if it helps, you are not alone! I developed
> brachial neuritis following a tetanus booster last
> February. Drs also denied it cd be due to the shot
> but had no other aggravating factor, and brachial
> neuritis is listed as an accepted adverse reaction to
> the tetanus toxoid. Was told repeatedly to wait, it
> wd all get better in time. Evidently for some it
> does, but in my case the shoulder girdle muscles were
> so weakened the shoulder dropped 2 inches and the
> collarbone is compressing the nerves in the brachial
> plexus, causing pn 24/7 and atrophy of the ulnar
> innervated muscles in the hand. I am dx'd with
> Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and Complex Regional Pain
> Syndrome type 2 or causalgia. Am in the early stages
> of filing an appeal for compensation from the vaccine
> injury fund.
>
> I hope your story has a happier ending. Your lung
> problem has me a bit worried though. Guillian-Barre
> is also a known adverse reaction to tetanus and often
> people with this have to be hospitalized as their
> lungs become essentially paralyzed, unable to work on
> their own. I wd definately want to get checked out
> by a TOP neurologist, STAT! I know there is a
> Neurological Institute in NYC said to be very good,
> Baylor? Baynor? Sorry, it's something like that.
> There is also Dr Robert Schwartzman in Philly, he is
> tops for dx'g TOS and CRPS, but can be very long
> wait to get in, but maybe they could suggest someone
> else in NYC?
>
> Hope you get some good answers, I am still looking
> for some.
>$%$
> beth

hello paul here..i also just recently was administered
a tetanus b booster...3 days ago..the injection site is oedematous,and sore..irritable....and malaise...but the worst is this tingling numbing..brachial plexus problem..%^@$ hurts.....PLZ TELL ME.will it go away and when..Ive had brachial plexus 1 ce in the past but it was due from sleeping on a couch for a yr..1 ce i obtained a bed every thing went away.....the plexus is back but this x involving a bit of the lower back as well..where tru brachial plxz .doesnt involve back ...c-5 L1
plz tell me what i can expect..will this go..or here 4 vr.....

> Hi Joe,
>
> Well, if it helps, you are not alone! I developed
> brachial neuritis following a tetanus booster last
> February. Drs also denied it cd be due to the shot
> but had no other aggravating factor, and brachial
> neuritis is listed as an accepted adverse reaction to
> the tetanus toxoid. Was told repeatedly to wait, it
> wd all get better in time. Evidently for some it
> does, but in my case the shoulder girdle muscles were
> so weakened the shoulder dropped 2 inches and the
> collarbone is compressing the nerves in the brachial
> plexus, causing pn 24/7 and atrophy of the ulnar
> innervated muscles in the hand. I am dx'd with
> Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and Complex Regional Pain
> Syndrome type 2 or causalgia. Am in the early stages
> of filing an appeal for compensation from the vaccine
> injury fund.
>
> I hope your story has a happier ending. Your lung
> problem has me a bit worried though. Guillian-Barre
> is also a known adverse reaction to tetanus and often
> people with this have to be hospitalized as their
> lungs become essentially paralyzed, unable to work on
> their own. I wd definately want to get checked out
> by a TOP neurologist, STAT! I know there is a
> Neurological Institute in NYC said to be very good,
> Baylor? Baynor? Sorry, it's something like that.
> There is also Dr Robert Schwartzman in Philly, he is
> tops for dx'g TOS and CRPS, but can be very long
> wait to get in, but maybe they could suggest someone
> else in NYC?
>
> Hope you get some good answers, I am still looking
> for some.
>$%$
> beth

hello paul here..i also just recently was administered
a tetanus b booster...3 days ago..the injection site is oedematous,and sore..irritable....and malaise...but the worst is this tingling numbing..brachial plexus problem..%^@$ hurts.....PLZ TELL ME.will it go away and when..Ive had brachial plexus 1 ce in the past but it was due from sleeping on a couch for a yr..1 ce i obtained a bed every thing went away.....the plexus is back but this x involving a bit of the lower back as well..where tru brachial plxz .doesnt involve back ...c-5 L1
plz tell me what i can expect..will this go..or here 4 vr.....

This thread has more dialog about Tetnus Shot and BP
http://ubpn.org/messageboard/thread ... msRange=15