pain

[admin]

Hi, I was diagnosed with Erbs palsey at birth. The only details I know about it is that I was a 10 pound baby and my mom was only in labor with me for three hours. I am 19 now and have never questioned it, studied it or really thought about it too much until recently. The past year or two my shoulders have been getting extremely tight especially my left. It used to only be might right shoulder that would develop huge knots in it from over compensation. They will sometimes get to the point where it will be a burning, tearing almost wet sensation in them. I have also found that I have lost flexibility in my wrist. I used to be able to play the flute with no problem. After a minute or two now I have to put it down. I just wanted to know if this has happened to anyone else and if there is anything that I can do about it. I have done alot of backpacking in the past three years. Could this be a part of it?
Edina

[Kathleen]

Edina

Welcome to the board... Glad you started to research on Erb's.
I am also birth injured on the right side. Have you read any of Resource material. It will explain how this happened to you. And it will give you a better understand of how the entire body is effected by this injury...
Backpack are no... no for us.. It puts a strain on your neck and back. We also get secondary injuries from over compensation...
I also had those strange sensation in my arm neck shoulders...
I learned so much from this site. So many things I never realized were from Erb's.
I don't know if you have been checked out by a Neurologist but that sounds like a good start to evaluate what you need in the way of PT etc. I gained so much from massage therapy and I had not had therapy for years.
Again welcome
Kath

[TINA-T]

Edina

Welcome to the board. I also was injured at birth 45 years ago. Like you I made it through many years without any problems and then things started to happen. Slowly at first, which I ignored because of COURSE it had nothing to do with my birth injury...............yea right ! I think what happens to us all and it depends on the extent of the injury and the individual in question, is sooner or later we all develop what is termed "overuse syndrome". Sounds like yours is rearing it's head sooner.

I agree with Kathleen, that you should seek out a good Neurologist to advise you. I've had the same type of symptoms and have found that a simple thing like swim aerobics seems to keep my arms, shoulders and neck from stiffening up and hurting to badly. Another piece of advice from an "ole-timer" would be to try to save your good arm. Seems we all forget how much we really utilize it till it's to late. Good luck Edina, and keep us posted.

[Judy-T]

Welcome to the board edina. stay away from those evil back packs. I started having pain in my teens in the shoulder and arm. i am 40 with right obpi.