I originally posted this on the Thoracic Outlet Snydrome site but I thought maybe someone here might have experieced this as well.


Hello everyone, new here but like everyone else have been reading the posts here for awhile. I have not been offically dx with TOS yet but in the process of it. Was referred to a physiotherapist by my PCP and started PT last week and now have a tens that I am suppose to use everyday. My PT stated that I did test postive for TOS during the eval. I am scheduled to have an EMG next week. I have all the symptoms of TOS, numbness in my pinkie finger, pins and needles in my fingers, pain in my arm, hand, shoulder, neck with burning as well. It is now on both sides with the worse on the right. My hands are now red with white blotches, that just started last week. Also now my chin and lips have started to burn. Heres some hx, I started out having burning in my right shoulder about 5 yrs ago that came and went worse with driving. Then I took a desk/computer job and that is when everything went down hill. That was almost 2 yrs ago, I was dx with herniated disc at c5/c6 and 7 mths ago had a discectomy with fusion with instrumentation. I was doing better than went back to work and then all the symptoms starting returning. Just went back to my Neruosurgeon, did an MRI, and he said that the pain was not coming from the surgical site. So, now Im going to have the emg next week. The question that I have is this, anyone with TOS having some of the same symptoms in their lower legs/feet. I have been having cramps, achey pain in my calfs with some numbness, prickly, tingling sensations in my toes. My legs feel very weak and heavy at times and so do my arms. I read a study that conculded a close link between TOS and MS. It actually stated that TOS could contribute to someone developing MS. So, I have been very concerned about these lower leg feelings. Has anyone here had problems with their legs that was from the TOS? I have been in pretty severe pain for the past 2 years and I am scared to death that I now have MS. I am going to ask my dr next week to start ruling out MS. Appreciate any comments or advice. Thanks.

I had TOS a while after having a double mastectomy but exercises and PT really helped clear it up for me.

I hope you feel better soon.

hi and welcome to NT,

i don't have any experience with TOS but i wanted to say hi and welcome.
i hope others will be able to help you.

Thanks so much for the welcome. You all are so nice on this site. Its a total wake up call as a nurse when you are on the other side of the pain shield. I have been a RN for 13 yrs and I know how "they" treat people with pain issues and I have learned sooooo much since having gone through everything I have the past 2 yrs. It is very nice to know that there are people who understand and will listen. Again, thank you.

Yep! TOS first. but not horrible. Osteopathy really helped. Then MS . So interesting that there is a correlation of the two. I had no idea. best to you

Thanks Missj. Yes, I found an artcile on the web, cant remember the site but if you google tos and ms it will come up. As each day goes by I am more and more convinced that I do in fact have MS. Im sure that you all will be seeing alot of me on here.

Welcome Kel. good to have you here. I hope you don't have to add MS to your plate, but there are worse things and we are here for you.

Hi Kel! Welcome to NT! You will find a lot of great people and support here.

I don't have any experience with TOS and am glad missj was able to chime in with her experience.