I think a top THORACIC SURGEON or a top VASCULAR SURGEON.
Please be sure to only see the best - not a surgery for beginners to practice on you.

check our Drs list here-
DOCTORS & PTs List and saved PT info threads
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread135.html

possibles-
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/surge...lty/Freischlag
[Dr. Freischlag is recognized nationally and internationally as an expert in the
diagnosis and treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome.]

http://musom.marshall.edu/medctr/fin...Rebecca&INIT=S.

some of these were just found by searches and may be outdated- but will give you some names and such to search or call and ask for names or referrals
some times you just may have to go out of state.
and there's the ins issues from that - but this is not a time to settle for a mediocre surgeon.

North Carolina

Joseph Whitlark
Clinic: Thoracic and Vascular of Kinston
703 Rosanne Drive Suite A
Kinston, North Carolina 28504
Phone: (252)939-9300
Fax: (252)939-9305

Felix A. Evangelist MD
Cardiothoracic
3601 E Independence Blvd
Charlotte ,NC 28205
Phone: (704)563-7788

Pennsylvania

Dr. Robert Young Rhee / Asst. Professor of Surgery
Presbyterian University Hospital
Pittsburgh, PA.
(412) 383 - 7074
E-mail: rhee@pittsurg.nb.upmc.edu

Dr. Allen Togut - retiring soon?
166 Hanover St. Wilkes-Barre, Pa 18702
Phone: (570)824-2500
E-mail: ajtogut@epix.net
fax: (570)824-7910

Dr N. Gupta
UPMC Bower Hill Rd
Pittsburgh, PA 15228
Phone: (412)648-4000

well that will give you some names - i just listed some from the nearby states- but if you have relatives in Denver, Colorado...or California those are states with quite a few too.


I can't believe that one doc wouldn't give a copy of your MRI to you !

You & your ins paid for the testing.
Some places where the actual MRI imaging is done will give/send you a CD or films or copies of the films & report if you ask right at the time of the MRI.

I did pay 10.00 a page for my MRI films - but I didn't ask for copies at the time of the MRI - it was later on. Got them thru the hospital where they were done.


Meds question-
are any of the ones you have extended release {ER}?
most will have a ER med, a short acting /flare up med, possibly an antidepressant (aids in depression as well as boosts the pain meds) and sometimes a sleep med.