Speaking for myself only, I simply came to the point where I could not, I MEAN could not type, hold a pen, extend my arm, drive, etc,...

There were no options re: work as my body would not cooperate. Also, the pain was overwhelmingly distracting so I really was not functioning at all. Pain is NOT TO BE IGNORED if you have TOS.

And I tell you what I LOVED my job, had just received a promotion and was assigned as the Agency Director's "expeditor" for urgent cases. That means I had powers above and beyond any other Special Agent. You cannot imagine how distraught I was for many years over this.

I have severe bi-lateral arterial and neurogenic TOS with lots of 'spin off'' issues such as RSD, Fibromyalgia....just to name a few. ALL of my tests were over-the-top positive so there was no question of my disability.

As you are reading over and over, this 'syndrome' is specific to each individual. In my case, surgery is inadvisable. I have been told the MOST I could expect is temporary pain relief with no impact regarding my disability status. I would expect to have more and more surgeries as I have a family history of scar tissue development.

So for ME, working is impossible. I have a great Pain Doc (Physiatrist), who makes living tolerable.

My advice to you is to round up as many applicable specialists, who communicate with each other. They may come up with a plan for medication or change of occupation which will work for you. If you are in a situation that involves blood clots, cervical ribs and certain other conditions, surgery may be the answer for you.

If you get to the point where you cannot work, your body will make that decision for you.

I wish you the best of luck in this early and frustrating stage of the journey.

Anne