[richard d]

hi. I have been certain I had neurogenic tos for a long while with the neck,shoulder,elbow and hand pain with numbness and pins and needles etc.
This morning however I woke up and stumbled around and turned the light on and saw that part of my palm in the thumb area was a strong blue color.This freaked me out of course, but in a few minutes it started to return to its natural color. This is a first for me and find it hard to believe that just sleeping on that side would have an effect like this. Does this ring true with anyone and does anyone think you can have nerve and vascular symptoms simultaneously.Have doctors appointment with specialist on monday so feel lucky in that regard. thanks for listening.

rich

[MelissaLH]

Richard,

Definitely mention this to the specialist on Monday. I've noticed the same thing a couple of different times, where the vein network at the base of my thumb (in the fat and muscle pad there) turns a dark blue, almost black blue, as it is filling with an unusual amount of blood. When that happens, the rest of my hand often looks a dusky purple and some veins distend painfully, though not always. Because the nerves and blood vessels all run through the same "outlets," you can have compression of both going on at the same time. Sleeping on the affected side can cause further constriction for multiple reasons, so if that was the aggravating factor, I would try not sleeping on that side for a while to see whether you remain symptomatic or not. Again, definitely mention it to your doctor, because a blue hand, and at the very worst a blue limb, often mean there is venous constriction in the thoracic outlet.

[richard d]

Thanks Melissa, appreciate your effort to be helpful.

[LinJane]

Richard. I have never experienced this. I have neurogenic TOS. I am glad you have an appointment on Monday. Best of luck, Linda

[Bi-Coastal]

Hi Richard,

This is not uncommon. I have both neurogenic and arterial TOS. I have sometimes awakened with one arm SO numb, that I had to use the other arm to swing it around to start circulation.

Over time, I have progressed to the point that I cannot lie on either side or my stomach, even for a few minutes. If my arms are out on top of the bed covers, I lose circulation.

So yes, this could just be a progression of your symptoms. It does not sound as though you have been tested for circulatory issues with TOS, but that could be the result of time an maybe scar tissue growth.

The fact that your hand color returned to normal is a RELIEF!!! You may find that sleeping positions will change over the course of your TOS life.

Try not to be too worried, but asking a Doc never hurts. It is always important to understand what is going on. Then you won't be subject to panic...which is natural of course.

Warmly,
Anne

[dabbo]

Richard- I would make sure to ask the doc (like everyone else said). My PM gave me a good idea to keep from sleeping on one side- sew a pocket big enough for a tennis ball into a tshirt, and wear that to bed. The tennis ball will keep you from lying on that side.

[tshadow]

Yes, yes, yes.

You can have RSD which would give you color changes.

You can have large or small vascular (veins) blockage.

But you can also have this with "only" neurogenic TOS as I have. (There is nothing "only" about it - it's horrible pain!)

Do tell your doc and hopefully they will run the vein MRAs necessary to rule out any blockages. Please see the testing thread where I posted the tests I am aware of.

God bless you, and I am sorry you have TOS. Finding a good TOS doc / surgeon is imperative, as despite my high, high pain, RSD and fibro, I still had some improvement with my rib removal by Dr. Annest in Denver, and one of the things that it stopped were / are those severe color changes, severe white / red blotches, and less blotches on my chest.

[richard d]

well thank you all mellisa, linjane, bi-coastal, dabbo, tshadow sorry for the typo's etc. typing no fun with tos for me. Hope we all get better

[LinJane]

Dabbo had a great suggestion for sleeping with the tennis ball. My problem has been that I put my arm over my head while sleeping causing major pain when I wake up. I have found some solutions through many ideas that may help you. Sleep with your affected arm inside a t-shirt so it can't move or tie it at your waist with a robe belt. I don't know what is causing your arm to turn blue, but some ideas if they can help. Good luck and keep us posted as to what the doctor says. Linda

[fern]

blue color could mean you also have vascular -- but i think that was stated.

Sleeping on the back--I got some sort of a pillow that goes under my knees. It's firm and not exactly a wedge but cut in angles. Using it has completely eliminated my long desire to turn onto my sides. And also it makes my lower back comfortable while I sleep. So I don't wake up every morning w/ a numb arm! Now if only I could get a neck pillow that really works. I got a new tempurpedic but it's way too high while it's new.

One addl thing about sleeping on my back is that I can use a small roll of something vertically btwn my shoulder blades (bubblewrap in my case) to allow the chest to be opened some as my neuro and PT rec. I've had the rec for a long time but was never able to stay on my back long enough for it to be useful.