Very interesting..... thank you to all who responded.

Since I started this post, I decided to visit Dr. Richard Sanders in Denver. I wasn't able to work and was unable to even get a diagnosis in Orlando. Dr. Sanders gave me a very thorough examination. Since my right side was more affected than my left side, he gave me a scalene block and also a pec minor block. I felt 50% better with the pec minor block and 100% better with the scalene block. It was amazing. All of the pain and tightness that I had in the shoulder, collar bone, and neck area was temporarilly gone. I did; however, have a bad reaction when the block wore off. It was as if my body went into some sort of shock. I started shaking uncontrollably. Fortunately, it was temporary and only lasted about 5 minutes.

Even though I had 100% relief with the scalene block, I opted to have the pec minor release surgery. I was terrified of the larger surgery. The pec minor release surgery is orthoscopic with no overnight stay in the hospital and virtually no risk. The morning of my surgery I was very nervous. My surgery was pushed back several hours, and I could do nothing by lay in the hospital bed and wait. I had a lot of pain in both ribs (I've read a few other people have this as a symptom as well). The rib pain seemed to only appear when lying down and riding for long periods in a car. The nurse came in with some pain killer before the surgery, and right before they took me in , they gave me something to calm the nerves. I wish I would have had that medication hours before, because it worked.

I awoke from the surgery extremely nauseaus. The pain from the incision and muscle cut was minor. I still had pain in the ribs that was worse. Although, I have to say that is the last time I had pain in my ribs. Recovery was not too difficult. It was difficult to sleep for approximately 3 weeks, and there was minor to moderate pain upon certain movements. The pain presurgery from my symptoms was far worse than the post surgery discomfort.

After finding work again 4 weeks after surgery, unfortunately, the pain in my neck, collarbone, jaw, and upperback returned. Not only did it return, it became as bad on the left side as it is on the right side. The pain in my forearms, and hands was less, so I am now able to work. I also don't have as much chest pain, and have no pain under the armpit and in the ribs. But as soon as I'm off work, I go home and lay on a heating pad. Interestingly, the pain in my feet returned almost immediately after my symptoms returned. So I think they have to be related somehow.

After having the scalene block and seeing the results, I've decided to go back for the scalene surgery. Dr. Sanders had advised me that up to 50% of patients choose to follow up, so I guess I fall into that category. I wish I had opted for the scalene surgery while I was in Denver the first time, but I had hoped the pec minor release would be enough. I've suffered from TOS for roughly 8 years and am looking forward to getting some relief.

After the surgery and hopefully recovered, I would like to somehow raise awareness on TOS and RSI. My TOS is the result of a RSI injury. I am a hardcore programmer that didn't want to stop for breaks. If anyone has any suggestions, I am open. It was so disappointing to see dr. after dr. with no diagnosis.... and no hope. The more awareness that can be raised, the less people will suffer.... hopefully.