Nerve problems post surgery
 

Hi

I just bumped into this site looking for information. I had surgery 18 months ago on my wrist and suffered injury to the brachial plexis. Most recent EMG's indicate not much more nerve function will return. Several months ago I had kidney surgery and have been informed that breathing issues are due to phrenic nerve problems. Is there any possible way these could be related? I am having EMG testing on the phrenic nerve and wonder if I should go to the same neurologist

Thanks

Pamb

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Welcome

It's good to have you in our community.

A second opinion is always good. Sometimes nerve damage is a known risk of a surgery. Did they tell you that was a risk?

the brachial plexus is a complicated bundle. The phrenic nerve is too. It can take a long time for a nerve to heal. I hope you can recover some from those injuries to your nerves.

Keep us posted on how you're doing as you going through your journery.

The peripheral nerves do repair themselves....if the agent that is attacking them stops and is removed.

Neuropathies can occur if you are low in B12 ... meaning your test results are below 500.

Nerve damage occurs when you are EFA deficient, and don't eat Omega-3 fatty acids.

Nerve damage may occur and progress if you have autoimmune issues. Some get this after vaccines.

A medical vitamin supplement now is available on RX to help with neuropathies...it is called Metanx. You can ask your doctor about this or Google it. We on the Peripheral Neuropathy board, also can answer further questions. You are always welcome there. ;)

Damage from surgeries should repair with time. If not, you may be lacking the nutrients to enable this.

Welcome to NeuroTalk Pam! :)

I hope you'll get some help with this and maybe find a way to treat it.

I had some nerve damage following a hysterectomy and it healed gradually over a few years time.

I hope yours will lessen or heal completely over time.

Welcome to NT!

Nerve pain is awful. However, as Mrs. D said, in some cases nerves can regrow. The rate of regrowth is very slow - about 1mm a day. The standard thought is that after two years you've got back as much as you're getting.

Sometimes it can be very painful when the nerve "wakes up." (My PT is always delighted when I come in complaining about a new shooting pain somewhere.) If there hasn't been a signal for a long time it takes a while to get everything back to normal. I suffered extensive nerve damage in a car accident and discovered that even after the nerve grows back, it can take time to reestablish the proper connection with the brain. For example, for eighteen months I had no feeling in my hands. I've regained a bit, but it has taken extensive therapy to remind my brain what hot and cold are.

Nerve injuries require patience, which is in short supply when one is in pain. We're all here to help you through it.

Cheers

Thanks & more info
 

Thanks so much for responding. I unfortunately have to add another neurological (possiblly) problem. I saw my orthodpedist today to discuss a continual issue with weakness in my right leg. Since all of these problems have occured on my right side, I was concerned and decided not to ignore yet another problem. Dr said I had foot drop and set up for an EMG and a MRI. Reading the Mayo clinic info is scary, but one has to at least understand what medical terms mean. I have a history of auto immune - sarcoidosis, lichen planus & myorphia. I guess what I need now is some reassurance that I am reading worst case data. I realize that I need to complete testing to rule out...but this continual new issue is getting a little scary. Its nice just to be able to think out loud to someone. Thanks and I'll keep you posted. Could not figure out how to add another thread so you got to be recipient of my thoughts.

Welcome ... I hope you find solutions to YOUR specific issues.

A friend of mine online had surgery to remove a growth from his neck, face and throat area. They had to enter through the side of his neck and face to get to it. It was benign thankfully BUT he was left with facial nerve damage and a slur when he speaks.

He told me that it will take a long time but the nerves should heal up eventually. There are some instances though that permanent damage has been done and he knows that so he won't know until he is sure enough time went by.

I hope you heal up just fine and dandy!

My nerve damage is pretty permanent (not from surgery) at this point but most of it did heal from the initial problems when those broke out almost 2 years ago.

Good luck and get well! .... and WELCOME! Just remember how long nerves take to heal which unfortunately can be a very long time.

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Hello Pamb, and welcome to NT! This is a great place with many friendly and helpful people.

We're glad you found us! :)

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Great to see you have come to be with our loving group. There are a number of friends will to assist as we can. Just let us know how we can be of any help. We are all here to assist each other as possible.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene