Quote:
Originally Posted by DiMarie
Hi Martina,
I am south of Wilkes Barre, 5 miles.
I use Dr. DiGiovonia and Dr. Janerich for maintenance. Dr. Paz for lumbar issues. My TOS is right side neurogenic. Some issues with vascular; such as my arm bp differs, and my hands have swollen from the thought that blood goes into the arm, but is having a difficult time coming back out from compression. Right now my lumbar herniation's and leg pain are a real problem. My pain from the TOS is when I use my hands and arms, the lumbar is consistent spasms.
I have terrible spasms across my trap like a butcher knife above the wing, and low skull. The wings "hurt." The Cervogenic migraines broke With a great Epidural from Dr. Hanlon, that broke the 24/7 cycle. It was a well placed epi in the C5.
Right now I had a fall forward onto the good arm and it is inflamed with nerve pain. My bicep and down the wrist, Dr. Janerich's office is setting a new EMG to see what is going on as it is nearly 2 months and has not calmed down. from my wrist to neck is really painful and restricting my movements.
I first heard of TOS with my dd in 1996 she was diax from a 1994 injury, her doctor was Dr. Schwartzmann in Phila and Dr. Alan Togut.
Have you seen Dr. Peliccie in Scranton for your pain care. He is the major TOS manager in your area. His specialty is Neurology, and he is a Psychiatrist. His office is in the building across the street from Moses Taylor.
The other major knowledgable doctor TOPS is Dr. Scott Fried in Blue Bell area, www.nervepain.com
Dr. Togut is the top specialist in the area, alas I feel he will be retiring soon. The last I heard he was working Tues-Thurs. Emily is his nurse and can set you up with an appointment.
I guess that is why the TOS capitol term we gave our self. Dr. Togut had a support group that met and we were soooo packed. As time went on it was difficult for many to get out, sit and the weather issues at time. It dribbled down.
There are about 30 I can think of that were local and attended.
Some time ago WNEP Jill Garret had put together a health beat report on Dr. Togut and my daughter. Also Mark J a local with an internal tens unit, sorry forgot the term everyone....
Dr. Paz with the pain management group in Plains is the most familiar I am with managing the the intrathecal pain pump. A surgeon from Geisinger does the surgery and they have staff at Advance pain management that takes care of the followup.
Who has been your care giver locally? have you had or considered surgery?
Dianne  |
Hi Dianne,
I was seen by Dr. Alan Togut, and he was very thorough, he cconfirmed the diagnosis of bilateral neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome. He did not recommend the surgery due to its risk. He gave me his plan for self care management. Prescribed this splint for me to wear, but i did not pick it up yet as it is 400.00 and i cant afford it right now. He no longer does the TOS surgery, but evaluates for TOS. The examine was over 2 hours long. I have cervical DDD mod to severe at each cervical level from c3 down to c7. I had a fusion of c5, c6 a year ago. Dr Togut believes the surgery made my TOS worse. I have had more problems with TOS and my neck shoulders and back since that surgery. Wish i never had it done. It feels like a knife stabbing me in my shoulder blades every day. I have been going to Dr. Mozeleski at Advanced Pain Management. They are right on Morgan Highway, just below the Aliied Services in Scranton. I have been to Allied Services to for PT and OT. I have temporary relief with the TENS unit, but my insurance does not cover durable medical equipment so, i have been looking on line here. I did not know about Dr. Peliccie, I will have to look into making an appt. with him if he is familiar with pain management for TOS and DDD.
I tried to find support groups in this area for TOS or even the DDD but I have not found any. I had an arteriogram done and they did not find anything wrong with my arteries or veins going into my arms. My blood pressure used to be 110/70 almost consistently..then since my fusion surgery which was a year ago it has been 120/70. Right now i am on Percocet and muscle relaxants, which takes the pain down only a degree or 2. I am afraid cause i do not know how long my PM doctor is going to keep me there. He said last time that this is no way to live on the narcotics, and that he did not intend to treat me long term.. I am so upset over this, cause the TOS is not going away and i am not getting the risky surgery. I am not having another surgery on my back either unless im not walking. The DDD is getting worse, as my latest MRI shows. So i may be looking for some one else to treat the pain. Thanks for giving me the information on the doctors that help with this. I see u r from Mountaintop, I grew up in Nanticoke, right down the road.. Martina