Hi,
okay NO more weight lifting! No overhead stuff...or falling off the ball onto head stuff!!!! What a time you had
!!LOL
Any stretching I do, I do in the shower when my muscles are more loose...not sure how long you get to do your shower with your kids(not sure on age) .....however I find after 10mins I am ready to do simple stretching of my neck and shoulders as well as simple arm lifting as well as walk the hands up the wall exercise...not to the point of pain but to the point of feeling like I 'could' go further but really shouldn't.
As for washing my hair...past shoulder length I bend over and do it. I am not putting my arms overhead. I find this has been my saving grace.....and as for drying my long locks.....bend over with hairdryer and scrunch my curly hair...holding dry has become too much of late and I just purchased the dryer stand. yet to use it.... I have also purchased Conair's new straightening dryer with the tourmaline and comb on the dryer itself. I turn upside down again...and use it. it took only 15 mins to straighten my hair so it was a success as it usually takes 30mins to dry with brush and dryer straightening then straightening iron to finish.....oh I think sometimes super short would be easier...but wedding in a year not getting it cut.
I am a heat addict. I keep my house at 76 as it is too cold otherwise and I may have a sweater on at 76 still can be cold. I have an amazing heating pad (2 actually so I don't have to drag them around the house) by sunbeam. It's a pad you unhook from plug in device and you can throw in washer.....heating elements in the pad don't get damaged....mind you I have yet to wash mine...they usually die before I need to wash them.....make sure there is a timer on the one you get if you plan on getting on. it's much safer that way. below link of the pad.....
http://www.sunbeam.com/ProductDetail...-home&pid=1000
Exercise is great but is best decided by a PT if you have one close to you to help you decide what you can and can't do. It will really help you. You may also help with diagnosis with a PT as they sometimes notice what the actual problem is before the doctors clue in......
You are not crazy you are just in pain and frustrated!!!!!!!!!!! WE GET IT!!
IF there is any place I feel safe and understood and un-judged at all times it is HERE!!!!
Is there a specific reason to see the doc who dosn't listen??? Make sure u go in to see him with some info on TOS
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tho...ndrome/DS00800
http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/001434sym.htm
http://www.atosa.org/tos-research-and-resources-library
many sites but make sure credible info or doc may not listen...ie from a major university or hospital group.
Have goals in mind for the appointment and write things down so you don't forget the questions you may have for him or things you may want to ask.
As for testing....the MRI's I have have been to RULE OUT other pathology and not to diagnose tos. As well as a basic chest X-ray.....will be helpful as it can show if you have cervical ribs which are extra ribs you may have that could be complicating things for you.
An EMG usually only shows MAJOR nerve damage. So not to be trusted to diagnose TOS. Any doctor who knows of ToS will know all this. However in your situation.....you may have to be the one guiding the visit. I have done this since nobody would listen to me or take me seriously until I changed doctors......I was at an idiot doc who told me go get a massage you'll feel fine....but he didn't explain any of my symptoms as to why I had them etc....I'm sure you get what I'm saying.
If you are going for pain control...then things like tramacet or tramadol work well for pain in the beginning...before you need to graduate up....LOL...and things like muscle relaxants....baclofen 10mg twice a day or flexaril 5-10mg three times a day....ideally make sure you have something at bedtime....you could even try robaxacet if he won't give you anything...OTC drug. Also celebrex an anti inflammatory is good for pain 100mg once or twice daily with food.
as for the weakness the only thing is rest!!!! take breaks between tasks...not easy with kids 8 and 6. (not that I'd know I've none, but I can imagine!!) Heat is your friend...or most of us anyhow....NOT if you have RSD which is a totally different evil all together. Your symptoms do not sound like RSD to me.
anyhow make sure you go prepared to the non listening doctor and MAKE him listen...grade your pain on a 0-10 pain scale....0 being none 10 the worst you could ever imagine in the world and you are curled up in a ball dying.......this may help him to understand your issues. Doctors (esp. old school ones) like data so start a diary if you can and then let him know what brings on your symptoms....what makes you feel a certain way and make sure you keep good records. It will also help YOU to understand this evil called TOS.
I hope tht some of this has helped you and you get some results from this doctor you are going to see. Look forward to hearing how you get on at the doctors....hopefully you get the results you need.
I know the medications not only because I have been on them but because I used to give them to my patients as a nurse.
take care
love and hugs,
Victoria
