My life has changed so drastically in the past 1 1/2 years.
I got injured at work, and have been unable to return to my job since. (out on workmans comp for now, but they are trying to label me mmi or make me get surgery for tos- decompression of the brachial plexus).
I have been in chronic pain (a 9 out of 10) for a year, than down to a six, now I found if I use my left arm enough so it doesn't click from underuse, and try not to use it to do any lifting or excersise I can maintain my pain level at a 3-4.(Also therapeutic massage has really helped too for the past 2 months).
Before TOS I was diagnosed with scapular winging, so when they changed my diagnosis for the 5th time to something called tos, I was weary.
I am still weary as NO diagnostic tests have been done, other than lift your arm, turn your head, feel my pulse, feel my thoracic nerve is one of the most tense nerve bundles this doctor says he's ever seen.
Reading about other people's experiences w/ tos on here is both encouraging & frightning. Surgery outcomes seem to be on a individual basis, i'm having trouble finding diagnostic tests I can try and get done to rule in tos for sure, and I really want to find out what type of tos specialist doctor I should go to on my own (outside of workmans comp) to help me get better & tell me if conclusively if I do or do not have this Tos.
Prior to this injury I was a windsurfer -mountain biker- and loved aerobics, now I'm gaining weight, can't do any excersises without raising my pain level to a 5-6 which I cannot bear to stand anymore (as I have been off of pain medicine for 6 months - since my previous neurologist had me on Lyrica- which really made me feel suicidal from the pills)
But of course he never heard of that side effect .
I'm trying to keep somewhat busy to keep my mind off of the pain, my situation - the uncertaintly of it all- The questions & lack of answers- Maybe never being able to work at my previous job (which I really enjoyed doing)
Sometimes I feel like I will be ok (one way or another) and other times I feel like dying
But than I think, get a hold of yourself.
Just the thought of living the rest of my life with this pain & restrictions sounds so unbearable at times)
So here I am, thanks for reading my introduction to me
I'm so glad your all on here too to support one another, it's so helpful to share whatever info & experiences we have to help one another
If anyone has tried alternative forms of healthcare for this tos- I would love to hear your experiences & if they worked or not.
I'm thinking about acupuncture & would love to have other natural options to explore b4 considering surgery as an option.
I'm in NJ so any doc's you can recommend from this state would be most welcome too. I can travel to NYC and PHL if you have great doc's from their too.
I look forward to meeting you & hearing your story too