United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi!

Since I first posted on this thread, I've been more conscience of possible temperature differences between my arms. I never thought to feel my skin before this. Now that I've been thinking about it, I've noticed that my BPI arm is often colder to the touch than my non-BPI arm is.

Joanie

Hi Joanie,
Gosh,I've just had time to read the messages for the 1st time in a couple of days....welcome....I've always had a droop wrist and now at my age it's getting pretty painful at times,especially if I don't have one of my soft, koosy stress balls in my LOBPI hand which is now needed 24/7. In the 1960's I had a tendon transplant in my left leg-to-foot at the same time I had a bunionectomy and the Dr. asked me if I wanted my left arm-to-wrist done too at the same time but I was in ny 20's and didn't want to have a plaster cast(they only had plaster in "those days") on for 2 months like my leg. I was vain & into hiding my injury and ignoring it as much as possible...a bunion was OK tho to have a cast on for 2 months! I sure know now since finding UBPN last year, that correcting the droop wrist would have helped my pain issues alot!
Hugs,
Carolyn J
LOBPI, age 67 & proud of it!

oh yeah, my left arm & had is ALWAYS cold. Winter is really a hard time for me....
Hugs~Carolyn J

Hi Carolyn,

My surgery was in early December of 1969 or 1970, so I was 20 or 21. The more I think about it, the more sure I am that it was 1970. I also had a plaster cast. I remember itching underneath it and not being able to scratch! My cast came off after four weeks, on my 21st or 22nd birthday. I'm 56 now.

I'm sorry that your cast was on for so long.

See you at camp. Looking forward to meeting you, and everyone else who'll be there.

Joanie

Moving this to the top for new OBPI/adults

Kath robpi/adult

> How many have always had pain?

I don't think so. I remember it hurting beginning around 12.


> Did you ever tell your parents/family you were in
> pain or did you just accept it as your normal?

I mostly just accepted it. If I ever did mention it I was told it was all in my head.

>
> When you complained as a child were you told this
> injury is not painful?

no, I was never told I had an injury. I thought everyone's non dominant arm was like that.


>
> Did any of you have the shock type pains when you
> were small?

no

>
> Did it occur during growth periods or just out of no
> where?

I'm not really sure


>
> Does the weather bother you?

Yes


>
> Do you have to take medication for pain and have you
> always had to take something?

I've taken oral meds for about 6 years. In the past I had a couple of Kenalog injections into my shoulder blade.

>
> At what age do you think pain begins to be more
> noticeable?

At around 40 it became constant.


>
> How many of you were unaware that arm, neck and back
> problems were related to your arm and compensation?

I was unaware


>
> Did any of you realize that compensation and bpi may
> have caused other health problems?

I didn't know until I read this question.

>
> How many thought it was only an arm and it did not
> affect the rest of your body.

Yes


>
> Did you think that the unaffected arm was so
> physically strong nothing could change it ?


Yes, unti arthritis has started hitting it about 3-4 months ago.


>
> How many have had really good follow up care from
> physicians ... sending you to PT and/or checking to
> see your arms are moving keeping track of your ROM?

No follow up care.

> Did you ever realize that no one spoke about your arm
> during physical exams?

Yes, as a matter of fact although I have a lot of health issues and I'm on disability, if my arm problem is even in my file, its buried pretty deeply.


> Did you ever receive any instructions on how to care
> for yourself and prevent injury?

no


>
> Do you have poor circulation,lack feeling on some
> parts of your arm,face, hand, ear and neck


Yes, but I'm starting to get diabetic neuropathy - so its hard to tell what the actual cause is.

>
> Is your arm colder when you sleep?

no

> Do you wake up because your arm is cold?

no

> Do you often find your arm hand is freezing even when
> using it?

no

-sunny

Moving this to the top for new people
Kath

Hi everyone,
As a mother of a young toddler (2 years old) reading your answers really concerns me. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do to insure that my son does not have these life long problems? Or even a way to minimize these problems? Looking back is there something you would have done or asked? Thank you for sharing your experiences, it really is beneficial to us newer mothers with injured babies.

I am moving this up for new people.
Kath robpi/adult

Kath,
Good idea! I am even re-reading this Thread to review MY pain issues as sometimes I don't even recognize a pain 'cause I've had it a while and STILL I accept something as "normal". I am still learning to identify a pain as a pain. Isn't that weird?

HUGS to everyone today & Camp 2007 or Bust!,
Carolyn J