Symptoms before surgery

Severe swelling and blueness in left hand
Weekness in hand especially ring and little finger
Pain in chest on left side (worse at night)
ache in left shoulder and down forearm
fine motor skills messed up
couldn't concentrate on anything
lightheadedness off and on
depression

Meds:

Took Neurotin for about a year
Ambien to sleep
Zanaflex
Given two injections in neck(did no good)
6 months of PT
Tens unit daily

Surgery(1st rib and scalene muscle removed (9-05)

Symptoms after surgery

Problems at times with tightness in muscle at shoulder blade
Toothache feelings in shoulder at times
Still have fine motor skills problems, but not as bad as before

Meds:
Soma(muscle relaxant) only when needed

Things that help:

Hot baths and showers
Walking(keeping active)
Streches
Resting when I know I need to
light massages

Peggy