United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

So Maia's Leftie (bpi) is mostly non functional and she does everything with non-dominant Rightie. She's learned how to write. She uses it for everything.

What could you have done differently when you were younger that you think could have reduced your overuse issues that you are experiencing now?

Should we be doing daily strengthening (Rightie) through exercise, etc.?

Thanks in advance for your input.
-francine

Francine,

I hate to say it, but I don't think there is any way to avoid overuse of the dominant non bpi arm and hand. I do think you should minimize it as much as possible.

Of course, there are things I would do differently. I would not try to lift heavy things as I did -- this really did a number on my back too and doing it with one arm dominant really is bad.

I limit my computer time typing to around 15 minutes at a time. That's a tough one to do but it is critical in today's world.

Exercise rightie at the same time as you are doing leftie. Yes daily strengthening and stretching too. Is she doing yoga or tai chi?

Kath will tell you about not torquing (not sure of the spelling) the body to reach over for things like seat belts. That really takes a toll over time.

However, I think it is important to live life. Some things that I did, while they probably led to overuse, still I would choose to do. I would not trade being a mother, for instance, for anything in the world! And lifting babies is surely a challenge for us.

Nancy

Francine:

I agree with Nancy that I doubt that there is any way to avoid overuse. The unaffected arm is used for probably 75-80% of everything that I do. I haven't experienced any overuse issues yet (at least none that I identify as overuse) but my injury is not as severe as others who post here. I am left dominant (unaffected side) so that might be an influence also. That said, my doctor has told me to expect issues like arthritis in my unaffected arm to show up eventually.

Would I do any thing differently? I would probably pay more attention to maintain strength and suppleness of the affected arm with a regular, consistent excercise program. I really didn't think to do that over the years. I was too busy I suppose and besides I was able to do anything that I wanted to (just differently). Lost muscle tone, probably due to aging, has now reduced the muscle mass in my affected arm to the point where I notice strength loss particularly in my bicep.

John P.
(ROBPI for 67 years)

Frankie has had some problems with overuse in school. Writing is the worst he gets cramps in his hand so the teaches gave him a tape recorder so he doesn't have to write his class notes and he is aloud to take breaks during class if he needs to. also they allow me to type his homework for him if there is a lot. He also uses a back pack with wheels so there is no weight on the good shoulder. Hopes this helps Mare

Francine,
My 2 Cents....
Besides EVERYTHING Nancy and John stated,which I heartedly re-affirm, the one thing I wish I had done is rest my Non-BPI limbs/& whole left side too as much as possible and not keep saying "I'll do it myself" when doing heavy activities WHEN THERE WAS SOMEONE ELSE AROUND TO A-S-K to do it for me. There is nothing wrong with asking for assistence, the earlier a BPI-er starts to be comfortable doing that will help tremendously to save the unaffected limbs from over-use.

I would not have lived my life working at 200% at all times just trying to be like everyone else and/or trying to hide and ignore my limits. I paid a very high price doing that for at least 50 years. I was a slooow learner & too much driven at ignoring my body needs. That's what I would change...listen to & know my own body.[It does talk to us, you know!]

Good question, Francine.

HUGS all around,
Carolyn J
LOBPI,68

This will help Maia so much. I'm making a notebook for her with things like this in it... because over time these things will get forgotten and it'll be a good reminder for her to read her notebook every so often....

Thanks again!

Something that Carolyn mentioned matches up with what I was thinking about the other day about asking for assistance or help. I remember doing things when I was a kid that hurt, so I'd ask someone to do it for me, but not say why. And now I just can't really work out why I wouldn't explain that the task hurt. It's tied into not wanting to sound like a baby/show that I could do it/ whine about pain. And all that was internal, no one probably would have given me a hard time about it at all. But having done that, I masked many of the effects of BPI from those around me, especially siblings.
So now, when I do say something, they think it is a new thing. For example, it hurts to hold something up with the injured arm at a right angle, like holding a plate at a salad bar or buffet. It always hurts (a lot and increasing rapidly) after a minute. But I've never said anything, except maybe "I don't like salad bars." So the communication is lacking about the real problem. And then we have almost retrain the people in our lives that the injury effects us every day and we have real pain with some things. It's tough to say "I need help" when we have never asked for it before.
What I'm trying to get at is communication, and assistance are good things. Learning to ask for help is hard for me, but it will hopefully impede overusage and compensation problems that occur.

Francine
Nancy mentioned about twisting (torque) the spine.
We tend to reach for thing with the unaffected arm without turning our body etc... almost every action we take during the day requires us to reach for things.

I also want to share something my PT told me on my last go round with him. It seems to carry objects we restrict the unaffected arm to length of our affected arms.
I think it could be an effort to appear "normal" but even carrying something our unaffected arm is restricted by the length of our affected arms.
He noticed that my so called "unaffected" arm was so tight almost as if it was contracted.
He suggested I do full ROM and pulling and stretching just on my left arm...
I hope I explained this clearly because it is important to keep the unaffected arm loose and work on the full range of motions it has.

CARRIE... WOW did that statement you made ring a bell for me. My family do not understand why I can't do things now because I always did everything. They just never noticed and I never complained... Wow that really hit home.

Kath (adult/robpi)

Stretching and more stretching of unaffected(also affected but takling about unaffected here). I think this simple thing is very overlooked. At least they never told my parents this when I was young.
I have good functional use of ROBPI, however left unaffected still does a lot of work. Tightness in muscles damages them and can cause pain sooo.. I stretch every day and I think its worth it because I do notice a differnce.
Becky

Carrie...Yes, you spoke of exactly what I mean...and "Xiggers" too. If I had taken care of the Unaffected side (AND not insisted on wearing 4" spiked heels shoes to work in a state hospital in the 1960's!!)I'd be a different, more active person..but now I do have to limit myself big time because of pain issues. It's strange to me now, Kath, why the PT I went to earlier in 2006[for the very 1st time ever!] he didn't address my "good" Unaffected side's needs at all. Your PT's information suuurrre make alot of sense to me, why I'm in the shape I'm in now. Thanks as always Kath.

Francine...what a great idea!! keeping a notebook of these vital posts for your daughter. Great going, Mom.

...stepping down from my Soapbox now,LOL.

Hugs all around,
Carolyn J