Question?
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Violetann
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Fri Oct 14, 2011 6:06 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Erb's palsy Right arm, 3/9/91, I'm unable to straighten my right arm all the way but it still works fine, no surgery just lots of physical therapy at a Young age.
Question?
Hello! Thanks to anyone that takes time out of there day to read this. Anyways, I have Erb''s palsy in my right arm, I'm unable to straighten it all the way but i have full use of it and all, but I was just wondering because I got it at birth, if it will effect me as I age, I have always wanted to know what my arm will be like when I'm old, will it be more sensitive then it is now or will it stay how it is, and might it affect my neck and give me neck pain?
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Carolyn J
- Posts: 3424
- Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:22 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI. I am 77 yrs old and never had a name for my injuries until 2004 when I found UBPN at age 66.
My injuries are: LOBPI on upper body and Cerebrael Palsy on the lower left extremities. The only intervention I've had is a tendon transplant from my left leg to my left foot to enable flexing t age 24 in 1962. Before that, my foot would freeze without notice on the side when wearing heels AND I always did wear them at work "to fit in" I also stuttered until around age 18-19...just outgrew it...no therapy for it. Also suffered from very very low self esteem; severe Depression and Anxiety attacks started at menopause. I stuffed emotions and over-compensated in every thing I did to "fit in" and be "invisible". My injuries were Never addressed or talked about until age 66. I am a late bloomer!!!!!
I welcome any and all questions about "My Journey".
There is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION.
Sharing helps to Heal. HUGS do too. - Location: Tacoma WA
- Contact:
Re: Question?
It all depends on if you "Over-Use" your good arm. It is a good idea to start taking care of your good arm now when your young. I didn't and over-used it toooo much and am paying for it now. 
Carolyn J
LOBPI/73+
Carolyn J
LOBPI/73+
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hope16_05
- Posts: 1670
- Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2003 11:33 am
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: 28 years old with a right obstetrical brachial plexus injury. 5 surgeries to date with pretty decent results. Last surgery resolved years of pain in my right arm however, I am beginning my journey with overuse in my left arm
- Location: Minnesota
- Contact:
Re: Question?
Being just a few years older than you, your arm can affect a lot of aspects of your life depending on how you use it and if all your muscles are similar to those of your uninjured arm. My injured arm is functional but makes a better paper weight as it's very difficult to do simple things like tie my shoes or open a door with my right hand. I have learned that it's easier to not use my arm than it is to use it so my "good arm" has taken a major hit these last five years. Driving was the worst thing I ever could have done to my good arm. I now have tendinitis on both sides of the left arm and the only way to make it go away is total rest...like thats ever going to happen, I need my left arm for everything as I have limited range of my right arm.
Now to what it has done to my back...my muscles are quite imbalanced as I am very strong on my left side and very weak on my right side. That being said, over the years, my spine has rotated to the left. My back is a mess! It hurts a lot but life must go on.
My injury is not allowed to hold me back, I can and will do anything I really want to, I might do it differently though. I now work as an occupational therapist and have a family. Changing diapers is only beginning to get difficult as my baby has discovered how to roll over. Helping my daughter with her hair is also difficult at times as my hand doesn't work that well either but I have managed any style s he has asked me to try, it just takes longer than the average uninjured person...
Keep a great attitude and remember that you are not invincible and pain can happen to you. Accept the advice of an older generation...I wish I had learned that 10 years ago! If I had, I probably wouldnt have near as much pain as I do now. ;(
My best advice is you don't need to prove yourself to anyone and if you do a lot of driving, get your doctor to write you a prescription to have a suicide knob in your car. Also if you have a lot of nerve pain take B12 vitamins or get the shots, it decreases the pain a ton!
Nice to meet you!
Amy 24 years old ROBPI from MN
Now to what it has done to my back...my muscles are quite imbalanced as I am very strong on my left side and very weak on my right side. That being said, over the years, my spine has rotated to the left. My back is a mess! It hurts a lot but life must go on.
My injury is not allowed to hold me back, I can and will do anything I really want to, I might do it differently though. I now work as an occupational therapist and have a family. Changing diapers is only beginning to get difficult as my baby has discovered how to roll over. Helping my daughter with her hair is also difficult at times as my hand doesn't work that well either but I have managed any style s he has asked me to try, it just takes longer than the average uninjured person...
Keep a great attitude and remember that you are not invincible and pain can happen to you. Accept the advice of an older generation...I wish I had learned that 10 years ago! If I had, I probably wouldnt have near as much pain as I do now. ;(
My best advice is you don't need to prove yourself to anyone and if you do a lot of driving, get your doctor to write you a prescription to have a suicide knob in your car. Also if you have a lot of nerve pain take B12 vitamins or get the shots, it decreases the pain a ton!
Nice to meet you!
Amy 24 years old ROBPI from MN
Amy 28 years old ROBPI from MN
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hope16_05
- Posts: 1670
- Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2003 11:33 am
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: 28 years old with a right obstetrical brachial plexus injury. 5 surgeries to date with pretty decent results. Last surgery resolved years of pain in my right arm however, I am beginning my journey with overuse in my left arm
- Location: Minnesota
- Contact:
Re: Question?
Posted the same thing twice...darn iPad
Last edited by hope16_05 on Tue Oct 18, 2011 8:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Carolyn J
- Posts: 3424
- Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:22 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI. I am 77 yrs old and never had a name for my injuries until 2004 when I found UBPN at age 66.
My injuries are: LOBPI on upper body and Cerebrael Palsy on the lower left extremities. The only intervention I've had is a tendon transplant from my left leg to my left foot to enable flexing t age 24 in 1962. Before that, my foot would freeze without notice on the side when wearing heels AND I always did wear them at work "to fit in" I also stuttered until around age 18-19...just outgrew it...no therapy for it. Also suffered from very very low self esteem; severe Depression and Anxiety attacks started at menopause. I stuffed emotions and over-compensated in every thing I did to "fit in" and be "invisible". My injuries were Never addressed or talked about until age 66. I am a late bloomer!!!!!
I welcome any and all questions about "My Journey".
There is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION.
Sharing helps to Heal. HUGS do too. - Location: Tacoma WA
- Contact:
Re: Question?
Amy,...Hee Hee! 
I do that too.
Violet Ann,
Getting a Handicapped car for my car was a major step in saving my "good" arm from Over-Use. Every Dr.'s office has the application form for your Dr to Sign under "Neurological Condition". You must ASK for it. Alot of us Adult OBPI-ers have one.
Carolyn J
LOBPI/73+
I do that too.Violet Ann,
Getting a Handicapped car for my car was a major step in saving my "good" arm from Over-Use. Every Dr.'s office has the application form for your Dr to Sign under "Neurological Condition". You must ASK for it. Alot of us Adult OBPI-ers have one.
Carolyn J
LOBPI/73+
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marymom
- Posts: 692
- Joined: Mon Nov 05, 2001 5:05 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Teen aged home birthed son with OBPI
- Location: Fort Pierce, FL
Re: Question?
Amy, just curious- Have you tried chiropractic to help to balance the muscles ?
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Violetann
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Fri Oct 14, 2011 6:06 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Erb's palsy Right arm, 3/9/91, I'm unable to straighten my right arm all the way but it still works fine, no surgery just lots of physical therapy at a Young age.
Re: Question?
thanks for all the reply's! They're very help, since i don't know anyone else with this, I feel inspired to be take take of my arm(s) while I'm young.
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karleeng
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 1:39 am
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Mother of 13yo Ling, adopted from China at age 3.5yo. ROBPI
Re: Question?
Could you share how you got your car modified?? I won't be long before my daughter will be driving.
karleen
karleen
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karleeng
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 1:39 am
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Mother of 13yo Ling, adopted from China at age 3.5yo. ROBPI
Re: Question?
Hi,
I was wondering how and why you got your car modified...won't be long and my daughter will be driving.
I was wondering how and why you got your car modified...won't be long and my daughter will be driving.
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sprince123
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2011 10:41 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: tbpi
Re: Question?
My daughter turns 16 next week! We are going to put a turn signal adapter on her car. Otherwise, she sticks her hand THROUGH the steering wheel, which is NO GOOD!
I am thinking I should be able to get insurance to pay for this as well. Has anyone had luck with that? Also considering getting her a handicapped placard....
I am thinking I should be able to get insurance to pay for this as well. Has anyone had luck with that? Also considering getting her a handicapped placard....