United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I've been flying a lot the last couple of weeks. 9 different planes in all -- the longest flight was an 8 hour one. I experimented with lots of different seats to find what was the most comfortable (i.e., what caused the least pain).

My bpi arm is shorter than the other one by about 6 inches with most of that shortness in the shoulder to elbow. That means my arm doesn't reach the arm rest and after about an hour, the pain starts as the shoulder muscles are way too weak (or non existent) to hold the arm in place.

I need to hog the arm rest so I can plop a pillow on it. That means the middle seat is out of the question. I don't really want the bpi arm in the aisle -- it gets bumped too many times. On my flight back from Bucharest, I was stuck with the arm in the aisle and no way to prop it. Ouch.

It seems the best seat is the one in which the bpi arm is against the window. Propping something in that space is easier and I'm not stealing arm space from my neighbor.

How about the rest of you? do you have the same issues?

Nancy Birk
UBPN President

I have been caught with bpi arm on the aisle and it has been hit by the carts moving through... OUCH

I know you and I can fly together if we sit with our arms next to each other... LOL>>>

My robpi arm poking your lobpi ....

Kath (robpi/adult)

Nancy.
YESSS, I try to get Window Seat ALWAYS & often "pull rank" of Injurd left side to get it when I have to.

I hope you have the GOOD Window seat each trip coming up this reminder of 2006 'cause I just know you are burning up those airline miles these days!! Tee hee...

LOTSA HUGS all around, 's
Carolyn J
ps...good question!

I either get the window seat, like you or I put one of my kids in the seat on my left, they don't need the extra room! lol The aisle CAN NOT be on my left (injured) side though.

I prefer the aisle seat, so that I don't have to disturb others when I get up. Also, I'm short, so the difference in the length of my arms, relative to the arm rest, probably is not a problem. I don't recall having any trouble keeping my PBI arm comfortable, or out of the way of the carts, but I don't travel by plane very often. I will be doing so soon, so I'll try to remember whether or not I have any problems on this trip.

Joanie

I have found that I like the window seat on my right (bpi side). I have never had any other seat only window seats. I have sat on the left side of the plane though and thats not as comfortable to sleep in my neck gets way more sore from too much stretch on the bpi side. So I prefer the window seat on my right side!
Good Question!
Amy 19 ROBPI from MN

I prefer the aisle. the window seems to restrict my range of motion too much and I get horrific back aches too. at least in the aisle I can stand, stretch my back and legs and move my arms.
Pat

I tend to like the window seat. I don't think I really have a preference as to which side though. But then it's been forever since I last flew anywhere.

Nancy,

I never thought about where the difference in the length of my arms was greatest until I read your post. By looking in a full-length mirror, I discovered that I have the same problem you do. My upper arm on my BPI side is short. On the plane to Phoenix, I saw that my BPI elbow did not reach the armrest, therefore I would have had the same problems you described. I also discovered why I never noticed this armrest problem before. I usually read on planes. My purse makes a good book prop. I use purses that close with a top flap and magnetic snap. With my purse standing on my lap, I hook the pinky finger of my BPI hand under the top flap. That leaves the rest of my hand to hold the book. My non-BPI hand is then free to hold the other side of the book, turn pages, cover my mouth when I cough, etc. Hope this helps.

Joanie