I think one side of my face is different than the other...

This board is for adults and teens to discuss issues relating to BPI since birth (OBPI).
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drunkinemu

I think one side of my face is different than the other...

Post by drunkinemu »

I have never been very photogenic. Although you’d probably say Im a decent looking guy, I always tend to cringe at most photos that capture the side of my face with BP. I feel the side of my face, w/out BP, is chiseled and defined, and that the other side is less defined, chubbier, and that side’s eye shape is slightly different which gives that side a totally different appearance than the other. You probably wouldn’t notice this if you met me but I am seeing this in all my recent photo’s of myself and driving me crazy and making me self conscious…=( I even find that I have to try slightly harder to smile on that side, as if it’s not natural. Does anyone feel the same or have this problem? Am I just an exception?
Kath
Posts: 3242
Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
Location: New York

Re: I think one side of my face is different than the other...

Post by Kath »

Ops! I had a double post and don't know why?
Last edited by Kath on Fri Mar 26, 2010 8:30 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Kath robpi/adult

Kathleen Mallozzi
Kath
Posts: 3242
Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
Location: New York

Re: I think one side of my face is different than the other...

Post by Kath »

I have the same thing. It's called Horner's Syndrome and is caused by and injury to T1. When I was little I notice that one eye was smaller but my Mom just said it only showed when I was tired. She also said it's from my father's side of the family.
He died when I was ten so it made sense to me. My Mom also said I had a cute crooked smile... It was not until I was around 50 that I notice a real change to my face and thought I had a minor stroke because on side of my face seemed so different. It was the fact that one side is more aged then the other due to paralysis. That side of my face does not sweat and my pupil does not dilate as quickly as the left side. I know several obpi/adults who have T1 injury and we all have the same issues. It should be noted on your medical records in case of emergency because you will not have equal pupil dilation and emergency personnel will think you have head trauma.

Hope this help you to understand what is going on with your face.
Most people will never notice it and may think your smile is cool.

BTW welcome to UBPN message boards.
Kath robpi/adult

Kathleen Mallozzi
Carolyn J
Posts: 3424
Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:22 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI. I am 77 yrs old and never had a name for my injuries until 2004 when I found UBPN at age 66.

My injuries are: LOBPI on upper body and Cerebrael Palsy on the lower left extremities. The only intervention I've had is a tendon transplant from my left leg to my left foot to enable flexing t age 24 in 1962. Before that, my foot would freeze without notice on the side when wearing heels AND I always did wear them at work "to fit in" I also stuttered until around age 18-19...just outgrew it...no therapy for it. Also suffered from very very low self esteem; severe Depression and Anxiety attacks started at menopause. I stuffed emotions and over-compensated in every thing I did to "fit in" and be "invisible". My injuries were Never addressed or talked about until age 66. I am a late bloomer!!!!!

I welcome any and all questions about "My Journey".
There is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION.
Sharing helps to Heal. HUGS do too.
Location: Tacoma WA
Contact:

Re: I think one side of my face is different than the other...

Post by Carolyn J »

WELCOME to our UBPN Family "drunkinemu"!
There is alot of information about Horner's Syndrome on this web site too, and if you click on to read all of Kath's posts, or, "Search" Forums and type in Horner's Syndrome, all posts on the subject will come up for you.

We are a Family of Informed, Caring , Experience Support. There is no such thing as a dumb question and everyone is welcome on all forum message boards. Knowledge is Power and very Healing...VENTING is too! :mrgreen:

Carolyn J/ 71
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
drunkinemu

Re: I think one side of my face is different than the other...

Post by drunkinemu »

Bless you Kathleen! You learn something new every day and I had no idea that’s what it is. Makes total sense. Do you feel the difference between your eyes? I have found lately, due to new strain in my neck from a bad car accident, as if that eye is worsening. It feels slightly more strained while I am on the computer and I am starting to see weird squiggly lines moving around. Weird..
Kath
Posts: 3242
Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
Location: New York

Re: I think one side of my face is different than the other...

Post by Kath »

Got to an opthamologist and explain that you believe that a T1 injury during birth caused the Horner's. Have him check you eyes for focus. My right eye has been strained more but when i was young I did not notice much.

It was only when I got older that I noticed that my face was not aging on the right side as much as on the left side. The crooked smile...LOL... If I'm very tired you can see the droopy eyelid... aging does wonders for us... LOL... I'm sure your much younger so don't let this take control of your ego... I never did, I did not think it effected my looks. I was always more concerned because I was a redhead with freckles... LOL.. Even that changed when I got older and then I did not mind it.

Being different is something we could focus on If we allow it to happen and then we fail to reach our full potential. People don't notice as much as we think they do. We tend to be our own worst critics. We tend to be more aware of what others can do and we can't. Others often don't realize we can't do what they can do automatically. Positive attitude helps us through this maze of bpi.
Kath robpi/adult

Kathleen Mallozzi
jomarsh
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Jun 17, 2010 1:11 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Birth injury to right arm. Born and raised in W. Africa but now living in the U.S.
My parents were unaware of nature of brachial plexus. I don't remember having physical therapy exercises or appointments. Certainly have not had surgery.

I'n now in my late 20s. It was only this week that learned about the name and nature of my condition. Thanks to a friend. Very curious to learn what treatment options remain for me.

Re: I think one side of my face is different than the other...

Post by jomarsh »

My right-side eye lids do not open fully on their own. That's where I suffered BP in my right arm.
I think i'm the only person who notices the difference. Just wanted to chime in.
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