Nerve Problems from Birth

I was born in 1974.  When my mother was pregnant with me, my parents didn't have a lot of money. Also they didn't know much about complications at birth. To make a very long story short, my mother had not dilated enough for me to actually make it through her opening. Well, the doctors pulled me through anyway. When this happened the joint at my right shoulder came out. The doctors did not reset it right away. By the time they did, the damage was done. They brought me to my mother with my arm in a sling (but no cast).

After a couple of days, my mother noticed that I never moved that arm. She took me to the doctor and was told that I would never be able to use it. Armed :) with this information, she slowly taught me how to do everything one-handed.

I remember being 5 years old and going to the doctor t be fitted for an arm brace because by this time I was starting to have semi-permanent cramps. They were very painful. It was also around this time that I noticed no one could talk to me in my right ear because it would make me have uncontrollabe ticks. The only way to stop them would be to lay on my right side and shut out all sound from that side. It was so embarrassing because it happened at school a lot. I had also started going to physical therapy because the doctors were wrong. I didn't have full use of my arm but I had about 10%. I continued going to therapy until the age of 14. The doctors released me and said there was nothing else they could do for me. By this time I had about 35% use of my arm.

After turning 18, I decided the doctors could be wrong again so I begin my own physical therapy at home. I bought 1 and 2 pound weights and tried repititions at home. IT WORKED!  I currently have about 55% use of my arm. I know that doesn't sound like much to most of you. But think about not being able to use it at all. I'm very thankful everyday.

The biggest problem I have now are the uncontrollable ticks. Nothing has changed about that part of my story. Every time I try to talk to a doctor about it, they just don't seem to understand what I'm talking about. Someeven tried to put me on medication, but most medications for nerve pain have heavy drowsiness as a side effect. I can't take them when I need them (at work).

If there is anyone out there with anything similar, please reply. Let me know how you cope on a day to day basis.