Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in Women vs Men
 

Dr. Wladislaw Ellis M.D. has some good information on his website - http://www.doctorellis.com/index.html

What particularly caught my eye was this excerpt:

I've decided to ignore his statement of "a penchant for complaining" for the time being. :confused:

It seems the majority of forum posters are female I am curious as to what our numbers are here. If you wouldn't mind responding to the poll and add your opinions regarding TOS in women vs men.

Voting is public, which displays all users who voted, and what choice they voted for.

There's an old post/thread around here somewhere, on a similar topic also.
I think part of the reason is just due to the generally more narrow shoulder area and generally smaller frame in women vs men.

I guess I could add for women that had a few children... most of us have carried the children & the accompanying paraphernalia around a much higher % than males usually do.
plus a purse :( I changed to a convertible backpack style purse

In general :cool:- and not trying to start a argument about what men do vs what women do but- :cool::cool::cool:
If they work outside the home , they do that job and come home to more duties..
women often do a larger % of house work & cooking, cleaning, kid care

all added micro trauma's to any minor RSI and/or posture factors.

thats interesting you mention the narrow shoulder area jomar, makes sense

im sure im stereotyping here but i assume women have less muscle more hormonal imbalances and thus are more prone to hypermobility

not fair, i get tos with a cups. i feel cheated

My TOS had nothing to do with gender, but rather was the result of a congenitally deformed first rib.

I would guess that men are not as good at speaking up about pain and are perhaps more stoic. I'm basing that on stereotypes and hate to make generalizations like that.

I agree with Limoges's first comment. My right side was due to a bony abnormality triggered by a car accident. Left side (unoperated) is due to a different bony abnormality and a different accident.

Women can have difficulty speaking up, too. I freeze around doctors unless I'm totally comfortable with them.

I think my TOS has a lot to do with my job. In 2005 I started a job in which I traveled a lot (flying and driving). I had an over-the-shoulder laptop bag and a 50lb rolling case of demo equipment I took everywhere. I think over the shoulder bags and pulling rolling suitcases can't be good for us. I can imagine carrying kids & their stuff being stressful. Driving with my arms extended is also stressful so pushing a stroller I'm guessing would be too. My wife is ready for us to have a kid so I hope I can get healthy so I can be Mr. Mom!

Sheri, maybe we're related! Of course both genders can have difficulties speaking up, that was probably a stupid generalization, sorry.

i definitely have trouble speaking. ive gotten panic attacks from going to doctors appointments

i think this comes from..back the first real doc i went to about my pain, i had a notecard listing my sx and he told me i was overanalyzing things and didn't address any of my questions, including numbness. it was an awful experience, i started crying on the way home.

too bad we cant have a subset of surgery with c-rib or without c-rib

Mspennyloafer, do you think your difficulty speaking to doctors has resulted in your not getting relief for your symptoms? Maybe you could find a friend or family member to act as an advocate when you go in for an appointment. I think even in circumstances where there's no issue speaking up that it can be difficult to remember to address all our questions. Any doctor that dismissed your inquiries shouldn't be treating you anyway! I'm sorry you had that experience.

I second this. The notecard was the right approach. I write notes before (and during) Dr. visits otherwise I will inevitably forget something I had planned to cover.

I've read that it affects women more because of our clavicle and body structure. . I have the article somewhere. Mine is Repititve motion related.Alot of Weightlifters male and female also get it.

I think it would be great if we could post our own experiences or plans regarding c-rib, 1st-rib, or scalenectomy only.

I do not have cervical ribs. I am opting for rib-resection and have ruled out scalenectomy only.

I agree with Marc. I use this approach and it works really well. If I don't, I will forget most of what is on the list. I have found that if I'm having a good day, I quickly forget about the bad days and the effects so the notes remind me and/or the doctor to explore further.

that doctor was a creep

he told me i was 'DOUBLE JOINTED' dumbing it down for me. if he had flatout told me hey you might have this awful genetic syndrome i mightve taken him more seriously and avoided lifting weights/injuries etc.

i just need to get over caring what doctors think of me being a hypochondriac etc. i mean, i am paying them after all.

my coworker kind of does this indirectly, she gives me pep talks and stuff

I didn't read it as his statement. He said "...which has been variously assumed to be due to..." as if he is reciting what he has read or heard various doctors say.

That's great to have someone who can do that for you, MsPennyloafer! (I keep wanting to capitalize the "L" in loafer!)

hahaha glad you like my pun