Mayo May 22nd

This board is for adults and teens to discuss issues relating to BPI since birth (OBPI).
Kath
Posts: 3242
Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
Location: New York

Re: Mayo May 22nd

Post by Kath »

Amy
Sorry this is getting so bad... I stopped all sport except swimming because of issues like this. I think it may be time for more PT and perhaps you can find someone who does Active Release. My PT told me that I form contractures in my left elbow because it is restricted to the length of my robpi arm. I tend to hold it bent and right now I have a huge tight ball on my unaffected arm. See if you can find someone doing ART therapy. They claim its a bit painful when your being worked on. I found it to be just the opposite. I got great relief from it.
Secondary and overuse issues begin so early for us and it's so upsetting. Let you honey keep holding the obpi arm and hand and keeping it warm...LOL...
hugs
Kath
Kath robpi/adult

Kathleen Mallozzi
User avatar
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: Mayo May 22nd

Post by hope16_05 »

Well my honey kept my right hand warm and did massage or rub my left arm this weekend. Hes really been great putting up with my complaining, I hate that this injury is taking away my activities. I miss going out and doing things for fun like bowling. Every one wants to go bowling this time of year as a break from studying and I cant participate. Its so frustrating!
I hope my OT and my DR can figure out what the problem is so I can have my life back and actually feel when Brett is rubbing my hand. I hate that I cant feel him rub his fingers against my right hand. UHG!
Amy
Amy 28 years old ROBPI from MN
Mare
Posts: 708
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2003 5:30 pm

Re: Mayo May 22nd

Post by Mare »

Amy did you see the doctor??
User avatar
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: Mayo May 22nd

Post by hope16_05 »

Sorry, I meant to update sooner but havent had the time as I was working and then got sick.

So I saw Dr. Moran at the Mayo last Thursday and he is guessing that I have an abnormal case of medial and lateral epicondylitis so basically all the tendons that control the hand (both flexors and extensors) are tearing. The reason he says its abnormal is because of where the pain is when he is pressing on my arm. So anyway he wants me to wear a strap on my arm for a month and be in therapy 2-3 times a week for 4 to 8 weeks and see me back in a month. When I go back he wants me to see a specialist for my shoulder too to see whats going on there. The specialist he is scheduling me with deals mainly with overuse so that should be interesting.

So thats my update for now. So far the strap is helping my arm to not hurt when I drive which is huge because I am driving a lot lately.

Hugs,
Amy 21 years old ROBPI from MN
Amy 28 years old ROBPI from MN
Kath
Posts: 3242
Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
Location: New York

Re: Mayo May 22nd

Post by Kath »

Amy
I'm glad they are trying to help you and thanks for the update. I never heard of a doctor who specializes in overuse. I think that I should have one as my primary care doctor... :)

Kath robpi/adult
Kath robpi/adult

Kathleen Mallozzi
Beckyerin
Posts: 104
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2005 8:06 pm

Re: Mayo May 22nd

Post by Beckyerin »

I have tennis elbow(lateral epicondylities) in left good arm, self diagnosed because I know the symptoms. Your case may be different because you said your tendons are tearing? But anyway I just wanted to share that I went to a massage therapist and had her do aggressive massage(a little painful but worth it) on that extensor tendon and the muscles connected and it has done wonders. Maybe your CHT you see could do that for you.
Becky
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: Mayo May 22nd

Post by Carolyn J »

Kath,
I do wish that you'd go see that Dr. at Mayo that Amy's seeing. You are our "Poster Child" for Overuse AND Secondary Injuries I've ever met on these Boards.

Please consider going there after Amy clears a path for you... :)

HUGS,
Carolyn J
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
User avatar
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: Mayo May 22nd

Post by hope16_05 »

Thanks Becky for the suggestion.
I think we are going to try ultrasound and splints and maybe some constraint therapy. Might as well do a modified form of constraint therapy. My left arm sure needs the break and my right could seriously benefit! We might also try iontopheresis (dont think I spelled that right at all but you might know what it is).
I will start this next Friday when my OT gets home from her family vacation.

Will keep you posted.
Hugs,
Amy
Amy 28 years old ROBPI from MN
Locked