United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

The lawyer wants us to come up with a list of things that we have heard of that "could" have something to do with having a BPI. Can you help me? The things like torticollis, feet issues, etc. Whatever you can think of will be helpful. Thanks. Even eye issues I have read about I thought?

This is a red flag in my mind. If your attorney had experience with brachial plexus cases, he would not be asking this question. These are hard cases to win and having an attorney with a good history of positive results specifically with brachial plexus will certainly help your case.

WOW...this list could be endless if you ask some. This injury definitely affects the body as a whole...not just the arm. Some issues that I know of for a fact are

torticollis
horners syndrome (affects the eye)
diaphram issues
scoliosis
low muscle tone
balance and gait issues
sensory integration issues (can be caused by traumatic births)
over use syndrome(over using the good arm)
and I know with my son and I have heard of others all though it has never been proven to be linked to the BPI...issues with their ears on the affected side. The ear canal is smaller and shorter. My son doesn't have a reflex in his ear on the affected side.

I'm sure there are others too. Hope this helps.
Karrie

Karrie
That is a very good list.

Do you mind if I ask what you mean by reflex in his ear?

I had a hearing test and the doctor was all bent out of shape because the asymmetry of my hearing was off.
This could indicate a tumor at the base of the brain. I had to have an mri and of course it was negative and I tried to explain that I have OBPI and it could be because of the birth injury... He led me to a chart and pointed to the upper arm bicep and said “This is the Erb's spot on the arm"... I wanted to scream; I gave him my card from UBPN and explained that this injury impacts our entire body in some cases. He did not think so and had not seen any medical papers to back that up…. SOOOO I then gave him Outreach and a long talk I explained it is not just and arm injury... He glazed over and I don't think he gets it... but he did let me have my say.

I tried to explain I had Horner's and he said you can hardly notice... once again I don't think most people/doctors get it!
Kath

Kath,

What a frustrating story! I think you are so right, and I am quickly coming to that same conclusion ... most doctors don't understand BPI at all, and yet most of them are too darned arrogant to own up to their own ignorance! I can't tell you how many strange looks I've gotten from doctors and nurses when I share the "no needles in the left arm" rule! They truly don't get it.

Thank you for sharing your experiences as an adult, because it really helps us parents be prepared for what's to come!

Sorry you had to go through that!
Janet

Janet
You are right it is frustrating but now I don't care what they say... I just keep trying to educate them. I am too old for them to tell me I don't feel what I feel and too stubborn to give up trying... LOL...

Kath

Kath -
I'm curious (& maybe a bit ignorant!).
What is the reason for not having any needles inserted in your OPBI arm? Is it just discomfort, or is there a more serious medical reason?
Cyndi

I have a question about something the DMOM mentioned. What is the reason for your rule to have no needle in your OPBI arm? Is it because of the discomfort or is there a more serious reason?
I've never heard anyone mention this before. I just usually avoid having blood tests etc. in my right (OPBI) arm, because I can't straighten it.
Cyndi

Cyndi
I have never had a needle in my right OBPI and it was because my family doctor told me never to allow it.

My circulation is poor in the robpi arm.
It would be more painful for me.
Now I wonder about the possibility of infection.
I also have much smaller veins on the right arm.

I am 65 and was told NO needles, IV or BP on my right side.
Kath

Kath-
I have very poor circulation (my arm is even cold in the summer!) & small veins also. My left, so-called "good arm" (I am 50, & my left arm has obviously been grossly over-used) also has small veins & it sometimes takes 2 or three tries to get a needle in.
I sometimes feel like a pin-cushion!
Thanks for your response.
Cyndi