thoracic outlet syndrome

[lcwhitney]

For the last few weeks I have been having this dull ache down my right arm. I went to see my doctor. My dr. says I have thoracic outlet syndrome, caused by my heart surgeries. It is not bad enough that I had to have 2 heart surgeries now, I have another problem caused by the surgeries . !! I think that is pretty lousy. I guess I will just have to be mad and learn to live with the problem since it is not anyone's fault.


Lettitia

 

[hensylee]

that's a bummer. Can they do anything to help the ache? I am sorry to hear this. You have had a tough time.

 

[lcwhitney]

For now the only thing to do isaddanother set of exercisesto my physical therapy routine. If the exercises don't help, there is some sort of surgery that can be done. For now I'll stick to the exercises.

Lettitia

 

[aussigal]

Hi Lettitia....

I know alot of girls who have had the surgery for TOS..and it isnt easy and the chances of a good result are not always so great either...

I say go with the physio and anything else they can suggest to help you...

One thing is less computer time and using the affected arm alot less than usual...

TOS is often a repetitive strain injury kinda like Carpal Tunnel injuries...and you can get relief from nerve medication or resting those muscles then re-training them to work differently...
heat and massage have been most helpful for lots of girls here as well...

I imagine yours would be a crush-type injury from surgery and I personally feel it will get better all by itself over time with non-surgical measures...

There is a huge TOS forum I know of but it seems to be out of action this week (might be a computer error!) anyway I have their web-addy if you want it
http://brain.hastypastry.net.forums/
they should be back up and working ASAP...its a huge neurology forum...so it wont have gone very far!...once its working just scroll down to TOS.

 

[lcwhitney]

Rest isprobably the best thing for the pain. Since this is my right arm we are talking about, rest is not possible much of the time. with my left sided paralysis causes my right arm to have to work over time.



Lettitia

 

[Superbob]

Lettitia,

I am sorry you are having this problem with pain. My wife has just started physical therapy for osteoarthritis, which is giving her bad pain in the shoulders and arms. Like you, she hopes the PT will do the job without more radical steps. Hope you get relief from the pain.

Best wishes,