pain, depression, anxiety in the adult OBPI situation

This board is for adults and teens to discuss issues relating to BPI since birth (OBPI).
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: pain, depression, anxiety in the adult OBPI situation

Post by Carolyn J »

It was my experience that emotional issues caused just as much pain as my untreated LOBPI and over-use of my "good" limbs too. Once I received help to face and start healing those some of the pain i lived with but ignored most of my life started to be relieved. Massages have been recommended by other adults. FYI, most massage schools give lo fees or none for students...they are supervised.

Carolyn J age 71
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
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: pain, depression, anxiety in the adult OBPI situation

Post by Carolyn J »

BUMPING UP for newcomers to our UBPN Family.
Carolyn J
OBPI/74
Rod B
Posts: 10
Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2012 8:54 am
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Rt Arm Erb's Palsy, 1960, St Luke Hosp. S.f. Ca. Dr. Z. Hand length shorter than left arm, waiters tip wrist, elbow doesn't extend all the way, can't raise arm above shoulder level, can't raise hand above eye level; Surgery in 1978 At UCSF Dr. Hoaglan, and Preffenger to stabalize. I hate when other people do a double take, but notice I do the same LOL. Didnt bother me when I was young, but from age 12 and up I was always trying to hide my disability . I don't hide it any more. Grew up playing softball, fishing, able to ride motorcycle as well.

Re: pain, depression, anxiety in the adult OBPI situation

Post by Rod B »

I met a guy @ Hastings Law in S.F. abou 20 yrs ago who noticed my ep rt arm and showed me his. Explained that he worked in a lumber yard most of his adult life, and went back to school to become a paralegal after being macho and trying his best to look like the next guy in the lumber yard; consequently, wearing out his left (good) arm; also reminded me to be carefull so it didn't happen to me as well; so here it is 20 yrs later, and within the last 4 yrs I've had carpal tunnel release on my good hand, 3 cortisone on my elbow, at least 1 on my soulder; as far as exercise I work out with light dumbells MWF five min a day, and try to swim the same MWF. Pain some, depression sure, but I'm 51 now, and I can't afford to be depressed anymore; I need to enjoy the rest of my life, I'm greatfull I have two eyes, two legs, a voice, hearing, and I have to put a smile on my face when I wake up in the a.m. then the rest follows. Believe me it hasn't always been this way, but I don't want rely on my wife to go to the store all of the time, when I can go and get a little exercise doing it and maybe meet someone else that needs more help than me. It took me a long time to find that perspective, and I don't expect everone to be cured, and I'm not cured by any means, but I try to make the best of it when I wake up, and that sets the tone for the rest of the day. Could be worse. Oh I still have anxiety walking in public everyday through the parking lot to get my groceries, but I don't experiece any when I leave store with bags in hand, or my hands on the shopping cart. :D :lol:
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: pain, depression, anxiety in the adult OBPI situation

Post by Carolyn J »

Thanks for sharing this Rod. For me there is not any cure, but more a matter of vigilence ,counseling and a mild medication keeps "wraps" on my depression pain and anxieties because I let it go on too long in the past before getting the help above mentioned I needed. I truly believe, NOW,these are our Secondary Injuries spoken of in the "Medical Resources for Adults" Link in an Article there and why we have "life-long" Medical Issues. Depression and Anxiety has physical pain attached to them and over time, add stress, and there is the mix.Vigilence and Perserverance are my constant companions.
Thanks again, Rod, and Welcome to our UBPI Family if I haven't all ready welcomed you....I now forget some things ;) 8-)
Carolyn J
LOBPI/'74
Rod B
Posts: 10
Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2012 8:54 am
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Rt Arm Erb's Palsy, 1960, St Luke Hosp. S.f. Ca. Dr. Z. Hand length shorter than left arm, waiters tip wrist, elbow doesn't extend all the way, can't raise arm above shoulder level, can't raise hand above eye level; Surgery in 1978 At UCSF Dr. Hoaglan, and Preffenger to stabalize. I hate when other people do a double take, but notice I do the same LOL. Didnt bother me when I was young, but from age 12 and up I was always trying to hide my disability . I don't hide it any more. Grew up playing softball, fishing, able to ride motorcycle as well.

Re: pain, depression, anxiety in the adult OBPI situation

Post by Rod B »

Thanks Carolyn, I'm glad I found this site!
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