United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hey I was just wondering if any one else has unvoluntary twitching in their bpi hand. Mine affects my thumb (just started that a couple days ago), my pinky and ring finger(Occasionally twitch on their own but mostly I can make tham do it). This is in my right hand and it is starting to get to me in school it makes it so hard to concentrate on my work when my thumb it twitching. If anyone knows what is causing this I would love to know. Also My sholder has been tired sore, is that because of my posture? Anything would help,
Amy
hope16_05@hotmail.com

Hi Amy,
Yes my bp injured hand twitches occasionally and my shoulder is a little sore even as I write this message. I get pain on the left part of my chest and neck pain as well. I don't ever take pain meds of any kind because the injury is permanent and I don't want to become drug dependent. Thank God the pains are intermittent but it is a bit distracting when the pains flare up. I haven't found a posture that reduces the pain. The pains keep me up at night because I can't find a sleeping posture that is comfortable. Maybe that is why I used to rock back and forth as a child when trying to sleep. There was simply no position that would relieve the discomfort. I hope this helps. Cliff

My bpi hand twitches too...it is very annoying...as for shoulder pain...that seems to ba a constant. So much so that unless I am paying attention, I don't even notice it anymore, unless it is very severe. I only take a pain med when it is severe...and then usually just motrin to take the edge off it.

I don't know if it is posture or what. I do notice that it pains me more when the bpi arm isn't supported.

i think i have pretty much the same thing to say as kamren. its just an annoying thing to know is there and not know much about.

Hey. I'm 18 with obpi. Just thought I'd share a funny thought. Ever seen Saving Private Ryan... Tom Hanks hand is twitching because of the stresses of war and all that. One day I was doing some sort of group project, not nervous or anything, we were sitting in a circle and talking about what we were going to do, but all during it, my left hand (thumb mostly) was twitching exactly like you described. When I looked up everyone was staring at my twitching thumb. Just thought it was funny because it was exactly like the scene from the movie.
It may be somehow related to the erbs, but I'm not sure. For me, it does seem to be worse when I'm under a lot of stress.

Hello Amy and all,
This is my 2 cents y'all: Twitching,wierd shooting pains,including sore shoulders & interrupted sleep is all part of our BPI injuries. My Dr. was sure I had sleep apnea until we adults on this OBPI Board started sharing about pain issues and our restless interrupted sleep at night. I refer you to the "Pain Issues" thread somewhere on this adult board. I also read everything moms are trying for their BPI children & see what works for me..everyone is different in the way our nerves healed/grew screwy. Oh yea..cold at night on our BPI side is common also.
I love you all,
Carolyn J
LOBPI

Carolyn
Right now I am having a big problem with frozen arm, ear and face at night... Of course I can't get comfortable either because of the pain in my neck and back... I think its the change in weather that is seems worse the last few weeks. It is raw and chilly here but I think we will be getting some ice storms in the next few days. I hate winter!

I warm my arm with extra blanket wrap but if I move and it comes off... I am frozen.
Kath

I don't notice the coldness, but I do get horrible toothach like pain from my neck all the way down my arm, It usually lasts 5-15 minutes and is beyond pain. It comes on any time it wants and is so bad I have to stop what I'm doing until it goes away. Shouder pain is on the "good" side and it is reaaly hard to find a comfortable sleeping position. I think the weather contributes. My fingers are stiffer (and uglier) the last few weeks and the arms ache constantly.I did go to a hand specialist who insisted that none of my problems are due to Erb's. I told him about the adults on the board and he said that wasn't a good comparison--that there are thousans of adults that have no overuse problems. He was a young whippersnapper--and needless to say I have't been back
Pat

Pat
Next time you see him-- ask him
how many of them have OBPI?
How many of the thousands has he treated?
Has he ever treated and adult/obpi before?
Where is the long range study to support that statement?

The answers will probably
NONE
NONE
NO
NONE

Boy is that annoying when someone makes up bogus facts.
I am so tired of them, and now I address them immediately. Asking the above questions in a polite but factual way.
I started to address the bogus bull because a doctor told me the white/bright spot in my spinal column is a "fatty deposit and many older people get them."
duh! That did it for me I no longer will allow someone to make up their medical facts.

I also have major problems with "unaffected arms" and my hands have gotten much worse...
so much for the lack of over use and compensation.

Kath

Kath ,
I did all that and got the I'm a superior Dr. and I know look. He said" oh, of course I do surgery on children, but your arthritis etc. is NOT caused by the BPI. I just walked out--didn't have the EMG and now can't figure out who to go to. I despise know it all Dr;s who are so full of themselves that they won't listen--or care