I have had my first ribs removed on both sides. The second surgery caused an excruciating muscle spasm on the opposite side which took six weeks of physical therapy to get under control. Now the left is still showing signs of compression eventhough I have been going to physical therapy. My question is does doing a scalenectomy make it better? I could put the surgery off till summer, since I work at a school, but am afraid that the stress and reaching in my secretarial duties may make it worse. I know that you guys can't make the decision for me, but would love to know what your thoughts are since you know what I am going thru. I have never been on medical disability before and find myself feeling guility about not working but everyone keeps telling me to take care of myself. uugh!!!!