yes yes and yes?

the longer you have had compression the longer it can take to heal, is the general rule. If you have very severe compression, sometimes it will never get competely better. It is very individual, though. SO I don't think any of us could give you a good answer. TOS surgery success is defined as "50% or greater reduction in symptoms" so one way to look at it is that you will probably always have to be careful, but good PT, or in some cases surgery, can make a big improvement and help you feel a LOT better.

PT and other modalities:
try PT for a while, but look hard for a PT that is qualified to treat TOS. THey are few and far between. Concentrate on some myofascial release, ultrasound, electostimulation, soft tissue mobilization... and be GENTLE GENTLE GENTLE on yourself. pain=you did too much. Now, sometimes, of course, you have to live your life and get through the day, most of us can't make it without doing things that cause us pain, buit do your very best to avoid things like raising your arm quickly. You should be working to get very gently to the end of your range of motion and ever so slightly past it, just to the point of stretch, not pain. DO not let any PT start you on strengthening exercises or other activities that hurt you or make you feel worse!!!

there are hundreds or resources on the stickes and the wonderful people on this forum. and they will chime in as well i am sure.

If PT does not help you, there is the option of TOS surgery, but the success rate is not huge. You really want to try some good PT first for probably at least 6 mo.

Pain Control:
As for pain, is is really important that you give your body a chance once in a while to NOT feel pain. Ask for enough medicine at the very least to sleep comfortably (as this will make EVERYTHING better) and more for during the day if you absolutely have to do things. It is very very difficult to be in pain all the time, and there is no reason for you to have to be that way, in fact it is your RIGHT to have enough pain medicine to not feel miserable!!!!! So stick up for yourself, there.

SOrry you have to find us under these circumstances...but this is a fantastic group of poeple who can help you sort out your TOS questions...a WEALTH of experience and suggestions!!!

Hope I am not scaring you with this. It can be overwhelming to find out that something is never going to go away. I know that finding this board and reading the experiences of the people here was very difficult for me in the beginning. Keep your chin up, and be thrilled that someone has helped you find the correct dx...k?

Johanna