new symtoms, is it TOS? who to see now?
 

Hi, I'm posting again because some symptoms have changed and I'm hoping to get more insight from some of you on if it's TOS and what to do next? Or do I keep waiting it out??
Symtoms-started 2 months ago as carp. tunnel, then ulnar, then shoulder. Now there is almost constant burning under arm pits & back of arms-both sides, occasional pain across back of neck.
Physiatrist thought TOS and wants to do an EMG (have not yet); I don't want a chiro (sorry, no use trying-husband has tried and I won't yet). I am willing (now) to fork over the $2k for the EMG, but wonder if I should see another DR first--preferably who might diagnose and give PT exercises without more tests.
I can't seem to find any around me who specify TOS as a specialty--I don't believe I'll need surgery so I havent gone that route. I read Jo*Mar state most of you had no luck with orthos. From a DR standpoint--should I try neuro, ortho, or a dif physiatrist? I have checked the DR list, none around me--I'm in Charlotte area.
THANKS everyone!

What about a very good Osteopathic doctor ?
Are there any of them in your area?

Are all of your old symptoms still active?

Sometimes I think the drs label or title doesn't matter, it's finding one that cares to help and understands how the whole body & postures are involved.

Location?
 

Many here can recommend a doctor if they know your general location.

the circulation things are definitely better. My thyroid (I havehad Hashimotos 15 years) was way off at my labs a few weeks ago--tsh was 10. Endo adjusted meds 3 weeks ago, and I do think that has helped the more vascular-seeming issues.
I have no loss of strength, and can type, use arm--just not w/o consequence. Mostly pain in ulnar and shoulder. No burning yet today, but afternoons & evenings are my worst.

Charlotte, NC area-thanks.

I can't tell from your message if you're investing any time into your body each day and how so. I find this is essential for resolving or reducing problems. I also find that with TOS, it can be very touchy as to what things will work or not.

Resources I recommend include:

"Pain Free at the PC" by Egoscue

"3 Minutes to a Pain-Free Life" by Weisberg & Shink

"The Core Program" by Brill

"Posture, Get It Straight" DVD by Novak (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Y9AELC/)

I've owned up to the fact that if I want my body to work reasonably well, I have to invest in it every morning.

I know that might not be the kind of answer you were looking for, but these are things that you can get started with for cheap right away and may be helpful if you haven't explored them already.

actually--this is all helpful and I will look into it--thank you. You make a great point--and no, I have not done much other than try to change my work station at home--not sure if it's "correct" still.The Physiatrist who suspected TOS didn't want me to try exercises without an EMG and NCV. I tried a massage and she hit a spot that made me cry, so I stopped. I guess with the nerves, I'm a little gun-shy.

If that spot she hit was a small super sensitive area, it might have been a trigger point.
-we tend to get those, and they need to be resolved before moving on with stretches and such.

http://surgery.wustl.edu/TOS_Consortium.aspx

Check out this website for more listing. These are the most well known dr's in the TOS consortium. If you dont want to travel-call a few to see if they can recommend someone in your area. I have another source I will check for you later when I have some more time.

That's a great list, thanks for posting it!

Thank you so much--appreciate your time and help!

are all of these online?

Youre welcome and Good luck! I saw 4 different TOS doctors before I settled on one and and I havent even started with Surgeons yet.I've also done a ton of research so I will look for someone in your area.

Im new to this so I hope what I have to say will inspire you to see another doctor on your long list. My husband just turned 50 and has always been active. For the last 5 years he has had headaches, numbness in both arms and fingers. 1 year ago he was in the ER for what was diagnosed as pneumonia. He got better and then bad again. Another ER visit and he had bi lateral multi pulmanary emboli ( blood clots), in both lungs.

I will keep it brief, but through having to take coumadin a blood thinner multi[ple test and doctors we just today have a solution to where the clots came from. We went to see a Vascular Surgeon whom ran several tests including an outpatient procedure today called a veinography. It was worth its weight in gold.

they put catheters in the right leg and in the arm and ran dye through it. There it was a .large vein going through the clavical and rib. the doctor is 90% positive this is where they originated from and went to the lungs.
My husband has had carpil tunnel surgery and elbow surgeries and nothing has solved it. The doctor in convinced this is his problem. So through all the EMG's, CT Scans and Ultra sounds nothing prooved positive until this test.
Yes, they sedate you to twighlight, but there is no pain during and you can even talk, (or at least my husband could). The procedure took an 1 hour and he walked out of the hospital. The pain afterward is minimal not even a Tylenol. I can certainly feel what your going through and sympathize greatly for your pain. Perhaps, it might be worth seeing a Vascular/Endovascular surgeon like we did.

We were lucky that my husband made it through the clots without stroke or heart attack. He has all the symptoms you are talking about including when the check his pulse with his arms up it becomes vertually non exsistant. Numbness in arms, tingling, back pain, left hip pain, no grip and even a slight tremor. doc said that if my husbands wasnt so severe causing the vein to be restricted and 2 hospitalizations, PT might have worked. From what I have been reading online it sounds as though your symptoms are getting worse, or traveling further.
I hope that our experience has been helpful and I wish you luck and a quick recovery

You can buy them online. They are books and DVDs. The cost is close to $0 compared to a single session of PT or chiro, and way cheap for the information and benefits therein.