Quote:
Originally Posted by FazDiggity
I have had MRI, CT, Xray, CT angio, nerve conduction study all showed nothing out of the ordinary until I had the angiogram in hospital where they go through the groin which showed very clearly the obstruction at the first rib/ posterior scalene area. They told me this affects the subclavian artery and the brachial plexus. Not the vein so much. When my left arm is raised I lose the pulse totally. As for treatment I have been to countless massage therapists, physios, chiros, osteopaths and nothing puts the slightest dent in the pain so I think that something else needs be tried. I have an appointment with a vascular surgeon next week to discuss decompressive surgery. From researching it seems that patients with ATOS symptoms alone without many of the neurological symptoms seem to come out pretty well from surgery. I only suffer from pain in the first rib area and have colour and temperature changes in the left arm. I also get jaw pain, blocked ear and occipital headaches frequently. All these symptoms seem to be magnified when I wear clothes that touch the upper neck region. Sounds funny but it makes it at least 5 times worse. Thanks for the input, it's really hard to find anybody who has the slightest idea of what it feels like.
Ps. We've got it pretty lucky here where most tests are done for free so it hasn't really been an issue.
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Hi FazDiggity,
I'm very similar to you, including the occipital headaches and jaw pain etc. Arterial and venous occlusions picked up on angiogram. I initially experienced neurological issues but they subsided. My main prob is total loss of pulse in the same positions which brings on fatigue and aches in my arms.
Unfortunately I'm bilateral! I've had a first rib excision op for my right side and due another on the left. I have not yet had my follow up with my surgeon to get the low down on the op however I am already aware that I have regained a strong bloodflow in my right arm when it is raised. What a strange sensation to know that blood is actually reaching the hand when its up or out to the side. I tested myself at home with a blood pressure monitor which clearly showed a pulse on the operated side (arms to the side and raised) and NOTHING on my left.
Despite having obvious post op issues with the scarring, muscle tightness, and slight numbness above the chest I actually feel a sense of relief that at least on one side my blood flow has resumed to normal..... Occlusion freed!!!!
My fear of suffering an aneursym outweighed the possibility of nerve damage from the op.
I have unfortunately been left with pulsatile tinnitus in my left ear (unoperated side) which proves that issues remain with my circulation. Also have had some anxiety/depression post op but I have absolutely no qualms about going ahead with a second op to correct this.... Scars above and below my collarbone are a ***** though
. I guess its a fair trade for NOT suffering the occlusions?
On a good note, in the past two weeks I have had less headaches/dizziness.
Best of luck to you.
KEEP STRONG!
SD38
