United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Well, not as much as I should.

I actually think I may have damaged or stretched a tendon or something. I have 2 little kiddos (3 and 1) and when they were babies I would carry them around in there infant car seat- unfortunately our particular car seat weighs close to 15lbs alone and if you add a chunky baby to that, it got pretty heavy. I would just stick the car seat handle in the crook of my arm and lug it around. I never felt the incredible strain that was occuring though. I mean if I picked up the car seat with my "good" arm I would have to set it down frequently because it got so heavy and I could feel the strain.
Sooo I am not sure if I have done any further damage by doing that. I hope not!
Anyway- I do try to do a little bit of stretching as often as I can, for example- I'll sit on the floor and lean my weight on that arm for 5 minutes at a time.
I used to have these really cool thera-band things from physical therapy when I was a kid. I really should go find something similar to that.
Thanks for the reminder!! I need to be nagged once in a while! Hahaha!

Hi,
I'm also new to this message board. I'm a 26 years old and have never had surgery. Its very conforting to know there are other people with the same problems.

HI I WAS JUST LOOKING THROUGH BECAUSE I ALSO HAVE ERBS PALSY FROM BIRTH AND I AM 36 YRS. I ALSO LIVE IN MISSOURI. WHERE ARE YOU FROM IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE SOMEONE TO TALK TO.I AM FROM CAPE GIRARDEAU MISOSURI.I HAVE TWO KIDS 8&9. I WAS NEVER ABLE TO FIND ANYONE TO HELP ME.IF YOU DO KNOW OF SOMEONE LET ME KNOW.

Connie,
It sounds like Mayo Clinic would be the closest BPI Clinic that sees adults, for you. I hope you can access them. Email or call them..I encourage you to see a BPI Specialist. Also take care of your "good" unaffected side and consider ways to stop overusing your unaffected limbs/side. As we age, there are a number of secondary injuries and pain issues that can come up. There are several Topic threads in this Adult Message Board that we adults posted and discussed "Overuse" & "Overcompensate" injuries and "Pain" that might help you.Good luck & keep coming back.
Hugs,
Carolyn J
LOBP{I,Age 68

THANK YOU FOR THE INFO I WILL DEFINATELY LOOK INTO IT.I THINK IT IS A LITTLE LATE FOR ME TO TAKE CARE OF MY UNAFFECTED ARM I AM ALREADY IN PAIN ALL THE TIME FROM MY NECK ALL THE WAY DOWN BECAUSE I HAVE HAD TO COMPONSATE FOR THE OTHER ARM ALL THESE YEARS.BUT IT IS NICE TO KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS SITUATION.CAN ANYONE TELL ME IF ANYONE HAS HAD A HUGE PROBLEM GETTING DISABILITY?I HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR THREE YEARS AND I AM ABOUT TO THROWW IN THE TOWEL,IT IS SO DRAINING.ANY INFO WILL WILL BE APPRECIATED.

Hi im 43 years old now but when I was 39 I was moving a 40' fiberglass ladder and later that night I told my wife my hand was falling asleep. Well the next thing I knew my wrist wouldn't pick up and my hand closed up. I was in lots of pain in my tricept muscle and found out i have brachial plexus. Today still at 43 years old my hand still stays closed and I had to learn to deal with it. I wish good luck to everyone that has this because its not any fun