11-25-08
8 years+ of experience with TOS with scalene involvement, bilaterally; cervical and lumbar herniated and bulging discs, and some other things.
(MVA May 1992 - cervical and lumbar herniated discs. MVA 10-11-2000 TOS with scalenes; a few more, and a worsening of my preexisting condition, herniated and bulging discs and some other things.)
I have come to grade things as positive (P) or negative (N) for my conditions.
Here goes...
1) Kinesio Tape (P) - (Did you watch the US Olympics Volleyball Team? The black stuff on her shoulder was Kinesio Tape. It's a Japanese or Chinese taping technique. It promotes healing. It's used to retrain overstressed/ injured muscles, ligaments and tendons. Good to use for posture.);
2) Botox X3, Bilaterally (P) - (2005) - (It did help but it causes droopy eyelids. For the relief it gave me, it was a fair trade. Be cautious here. Outcome is irreversible - good, bad or ugly.);
3) Medication (P&N) - (Tried different meds at various times. Lidoderm Patches 5% is a nonnarcotic topical pain patch. It worked for me. I got great relief. I hear there's a new nonnarcotic pain patch with an anti-inflammatory, Flector. Ummmm...... improved.);
4) Horse Liniment (P&N) - (Prescribed by my cardiothoracic surgeon, believe it or not, and he made my insurance pay for it - $20. It was an adjunct therapy with Lidoderm Patches. I was supposed to take a Q-Tip and apply it to my TOS area (I needed a gallon and a paint brush) - or other areas - wear liniment for 12 hours - shower and then apply the Lidoderm Patch to the area. The theory was: The Horse Liniment would ease my pain but would also open up my pores so as to allow the Lidoderm medicine to penetrate better. The patch was a 12-hour patch. I found I could reuse the patches on my wrists, forearms and thumbs. Still had med in it the next day.);
5) Physical Therapy (P);
6) ASTM (Augmented Soft Tissue Mobilization) (N) (In 2003 -New Treatment Modality program - several times a week for I forgot how many weeks - administered by PT. Very painful with lots of brusing. He was a good therapist. He was my therapist after both accidents (1992 accident for 6 weeks - 2000 accident, in and out from 2000 till 2003). I was not progressing there. After ASTM failed to improve, he referred me to a therapist that did Myofascial Release.);
7) Myofascial Release (PX5) - (You need that.) (Yes, she is a great therapist.);
8) Yoga and/or Meditation (P) - (Just try it. You can work up to downward-facing dog.);
9) Exercise (P) - (It's good for the rest of your body, too. TOS will probably not be the only medical condition you face in life.);
10) Aqua Therapy (P);
11) Stretches and/or Strengthening (P) - (You've got to be faithful and do it before it will work, adjusting as you progress. Start somewhere.) ;
12) Breathing Techniques (P) - (Taking 3 deep breathes helps release the tightness in my chest and upper body. Sitting up straight is better but not necessary. Breathe in (inhale) deep, expanding your abdomen slowly and in a controlled manner, through your nose, with your mouth closed. Blow out (exhale) by pursing your lips and blowing out slowly and controlled while deflating your abdomen.);
13) Water (P) (The more you drank, the more you should drank.);
14) Vitamins (P) - (I don't take a multivitam - it gives me appetite. I take Vit Bs, even sublingual form, Vit C, D, Folic Acid, Fish Oil a must):
15) TheraCane (P) - (I saw a model on this site that you use with your foot rather than applying pressure using your hands. I like my model, but that would be better.);
16) E-Stim (P);
17) Spine Alignment Board (P) - (For cervical and thoracic area of my spine. May promote collateral blood supply. PT has them. I bought this one on QVC for under $20. It can be adjusted as you progress. Opens up your pecs.);
18) Light Therapy (P) - (A tool that I found that helps restore function and reduces pain.) - (May be selling these as a second (forced change) career.)
19) Slankets (P) - (Wish I'd thought of that. Blankets with sleeves. Keeping my upper body warm and cozy reduces pain - priceless);
20) Moist Heating Pad (P) - (Too much heat promotes swelling. I find keeping my upper body warm and cozy works better.);
21) Epidurals X3 (PX10) - (2006) (If it's recommended, don't put it off. It took three different - independent of each other - pain management doctors to convience me I needed that. Not 1, not 2, but I had to
commit to 3. On the 3rd one, I got relief in my back, neck, arms, hands... lasting relief);
22) Steroid Injections in my Thumb (P) - (2007) (You can only have a couple in your thumb. Any more and you risk tearing the tendon maybe beyond repair.);
23) Oversize Tennis Balls (P) (Wal-Mart sporting goods section);
24) 3" Balloons (P) - (I placed them in my armpit for relief);
25) Laser Hair Removal (P) - (Only works on dark hair.) - I also underwent electrolysis for stray hairs) (Expensive, but I'm worth it.);
26) Adjustable Hairdryer Stand (PX5) - (a must have);
27) Reachers and Grabbers (P) - (I'm sure they're called something else - Wal-Mart has the Gopher - good for heavier things in cabinets and on the floor. Get an order and your Ins may pay for it.);
28) Erognomics (P) - (You need that anyway);
29) Telephone Headset and/or Bluetooth (P) - (For hands free talking);
30) Work (P) - (Work is good therapy... not to mention you need money to treat and living expenses. Life keeps coming at you);
31) Articulating Arm Supports (P) I use these at my computer work station;
32) 1-2 Wine Coolers Before Bedtime, Occasionally (P) - (Not a drinker but it helps.);
33) Pillows, neckbone pillows, all sizes of pillows (P) - (Everybody's figured that one out. I live in a nest of pillows.);
34) Wrist splints with Thumb Spicas (P)
35) Driver & Errand Runner (P) - (The less you do, the less pain you'll have.);
36) Buy Smaller Size and Quanty (P) - (easier to manage)
37) Front Loading Washer and Dryer (P) - (With a built up platform for your appropriate height, with cut out holes for laundry baskets you can use your foot to pull out or push in. One under the washer for dirty clothes. One under the dryer for clean clothes. Hubby can fold and put away... sometimes.);
38) Stellate Ganglion Injections, Bilaterally (N) - (At this time, 2004, I was in so much pain it was overload. I had more pain, numbness and tingling for 2 days. Other than that, couldn't tell any improvement.)
39) Silicone Potholder and/or Adjustable Rubber Bottle and Jar Opener (P) - (Wal-Mart - The potholder I have is shaped like a kidney, with graduated dots/bumps/knobs. Works as a bottle/jar gripper to help open things. Also good for #32)
40) "OneTouch" Can Opener (N) - (Still couldn't grip and press the button. Not TOS-friendly. Wal-Mart); changed rating to (P) 08-08-09
41) Sleeping with my elbows straight (P) - (Found that on this site. Thanks fellow TOSer.);
42) Ice Packs (P) (If it swells, slap ice on it. It is a good treatment, too. During the course of a day you can alternate heat and ice. Don't leave ice on too long - 10 to 20 minutes. The 1 part alcohol and 2 part water is a great idea. Thanks to ya fellow TOSer.);
43) Hot Showers (P) - I run my water heater dry - actually blew one up. Got a bigger one.);
44) Absorbant Robes and Towels (P) - (So you don't have to use your arms to dry off.);
45) Yogurt (P) - (Your gastrointestional tract will love you for it. Meds and less activity causes constipation. #13 helps with that too.);
46) A good doctor with knowledge and expertise in TOS is a must - Keep searching if you haven't found the right doctor for you. I found Dr. Atasoy in March 2004. Surgery was recommended but have opted not to as long as I think I can improve without it. He still helped me in other ways. I had many visits.);
47) Shoulder Injection (N) - (Couldn't tell it helped anything. Didn't hurt anything, though.)
48) Detox stuff like at GNC (P) - (It makes me feel a little better, overall.);
49) Vestibular Rehabilitation (P) - (For balance) (I did not have good balance the morning after the accident -- actually when I got up out of bed, I had baaaaad balance. Smacked into the wall on the left side for 14 months. Muscle relaxer helped that condition, too. Scalenes and cervical muscle spasms - I had been refusing muscle relaxers for about a year and it took another month or so for them to take effect, I guess. Vestibular Rehab consisted of a home exercise program - pages of exercises, with instructions. Taping a exercise sheet to one side of the wall and another sheet of paper on the adjoining wall - in a seated position - focus and move head as instructed. Been a while but it helped.);
50) Determination (P);
51) Prayer (P) - (It's not that I thought of this last. just wanted to leave you a lasting thought.)
