post radiation brachial plexitis

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1

Hi All
I finished my radiotherapy end of may 2008 and have just been diagnosed with post radiation brachial plexitis. Anyone else had the same thing? Or know much about it? ie prognosis, treatment etc?
Many thanks

2

Quisie

Just Googled and got this:

emedicine.medscape.com/article/316497-overview

3

Hi quisie

Sorry to hear you’ve developed this; breastcancer.org has a thread that might be of interest. It is:

community.breastcancer.org/forum/64/topic/698235

and this is also a useful link:

cancernetwork.com/display/article/10165/67858

X

S

4

Quisie

I have never heard of this, but I found this site

stepup-speakout.org/Radiation_Induced_Brachial_plexopathy.htm

Since my treatment I find I have no strength in my arm or hand, can’t open tins or jars and have great difficulty doing fine movements. It’s probably nothing but as always another thing to worry about.

If you don’t mind me asking how did they make your diagnoses and what are the symptoms you have been suffering?

5

Hi Ladies and thank you all, what a wealth of information you’ve given me to read, bless you all x x

Peacock, Since my treatment I’ve had bouts of burning pain in my shoulder/ arm and even wearing a jumper or any loose weave garment is sheer agony as the hairs on my arm catch on it and every time it sends pain signals! My GP gave me solpodol 30 mg codeine + 500 paracetamol, two when required but no ore than 8 a day. Generally these worked but, last week or so they were barely touching the pain. I’m away from home so I tried the local clinic, they were unable to help and told me to go to the hospital. There they directed me to the pain clinic where i saw the consultant neurologist. He took my history and did a very gentle examination … put me on a whole new regime of painkillers and steroids (three ornings on the trot I’ve woken naturally! No pain at all) and I see him again on tuesday.
However, like you I do have difficulty with fine movements and, as a result of chemo, have no feeling in my fingers and feet (recently i ripped off my big toe nail and didn’t even notice). With determination though I have found I can still knit, just have to use my eyes and be careful.
Otherwise, I’m doing great. Enjoying life and I’m taking each new development as it comes
hope this helps
love
Ruth x