Your collaterals must be clotting too. I had the same issue. I'm a year and 3 months from last thrombolysis. long story short, motorcycle accident 10 years ago. Subclavian clot left arm may have been there since the accident. Significant vein scaring. My subclavian vein is completely occluded. The thrombolysis helped clean out my collateral veins. I took Eliquis for a year but developed horrible vestibular issues with it after 6 months. After a year I stopped and am just taking aspirin twice a day now. I wear compression sleeves throughout the day but take it off at night. I do have a little nerve involvement. Slight tingling and some numbness on pinky and ring finger.

I'm glad my vascular surgeon talked me out of the surgery. He knows Dr. Thompson. He told me the truth. He doubted Thompsom had more than a hundred case like mine. He told me that it's a deep dark hole to work in.

Swelling can be helped with compression sleeves. TOS exercises can help with pain and discomfort. Thrombolysis may help with your collaterals.

I'll try to answer any specific question you might have. I don't try to over work my arm. I can use it about normal for short periods of time. I'm in my 40s so I'm not planning on weight lifting or anything like that anymore and I work a desk job. It's working better than I expected. Thank the Lord Jesus.