United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I am 63 years old and did not know I was an OBPI adult until about five years ago. My parents had told me my right arm had been paralyzed at birth and that they had kept my right arm in a sling and wrapped close to my body. Over time I regained use of my arm and grew up not knowing anything was wrong, (except I always wondered why I swam in circles when I did the backstroke). I just assumed I was born left handed and I ALWAYS slept with my right arm raised and my head resting on it. Through my teens I was a cheerleader and active in sports. Fast-forward 40 years. About 5 or 6 years ago I began having trouble. My range of motion has become more and more limited and I have been experiencing increasing discomfort and pain. I went to a Doctor who diagnosed my problem OBPI. I began researching and, along the way, found this wonderful web site. I would appreciate any advice or information you can give. Thanks

SelenaB:
Welcome to the Boards. Another "Senior". Wow, it's amazing how many of us have stumbled onto this site after we started having problems and wondered about what exactly is it we have. You'll find that you're not alone with issues of underuse of the affected arm and overuse of the unaffected arm. I too started feeling some discomfort and loss of strength a few years back. I found this site and discovered there are others like me and sadly more still being injured.

The best advice I can offer is to begin an excercise program. Stretching and resistance excercises were recommended to me and it has helped (although I need to keep it up).

John P. (66, ROBPI)

I think that is very important for people like us, that were not diagnosed until late in life, let the newer folks know that is easy to live with this injury. I firmly believe the lack of information made us stronger, for lack of a better way to put it.
By the way, I'm 39 y.o. LOBPI.
Welcome home, this is a wonderful place to connect with people that share common ground.

Welcome to the Message Board
I was so happy to find others to talk to when I realized I was not the only one in the world with this injury.
I always knew I had Erb's Palsy thank goodness because most doctors never even mentioned it.
It's like the elephant in the room we don't talk about it so it's not there.
I found it educational and interesting to compare notes and see how much we have in common.

Kath (robpi/adult)

Hey Kath. Can you believe it, 2 posts in less than 6 months. I think I'm really startin' to break outta my shell. SL

Steve
I was thinking that but was afraid I might scare you away... we need you around here!
Happy New Year glad to see your not shy anymore...LOL

Kath