Lots of throbbing in thoracic outlet area? Should I be worried?
 

Okay, I've been making good progress lately, but after a combination of things last week, I've developed painful throbbing right above/by my collarbone on the right side when I use my right arm or lift my right hand up towards my shoulder. Now I started getting it by my left collarbone/neck area today, though not as bad as the right. For background, I was diagnosed with bilateral arterial neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome at a major university, then went to Colorado and was diagnosed with primarily pectoralis minor syndrome. All I know is this doesn't feel like it has anything to do with my pecs, though they are tight, too! Thankfully, I have a physical therapy appointment tomorrow, and am taking some aspirin just in case. Anyone else get this painful, heart-beat-like throbbing in the thoracic outlet area when using your arm? No swelling, but arm feels heavy during throbbing.

Melissa,

the throbbing has been discussed before on some prior posts as a symptom of TOS--you may find them by searching.

I didn't understand why Dr Sanders' opinion varied so greatly fr. your ultrasound findings done by the Univ MN doctor. I'm sorry that you didn't get a second opinion in Denver but my layperson's rec would be to phone Sanders' office and ask him about the throbbing you are experiencing. Didn't you some additional tests in his office? And of course show it to the PT when you have your next visit. And if need-be you can have it evaluated by a local doctor whether or not you are willing to have surgery with them.

keep us posted!

Thanks, Fern. My searches on this website always seem to pull up either nothing or too much! I remember reading about it both here and elsewhere, but wasn't sure if it was something serious I should report to my doc. I get enough grief from reporting symptoms to docs that I tend not to anymore, unless absolutely necessary. The throbbing has calmed down after physical therapy this week, but now I've got a nasty cold so have another thing to contend with! Yuck.

Throbbing
 

I have throbbing 24/7, constant
IT'S THE COMPRESSION TELLING YOU OUCH
Think of it like a crimped hose with water just trickling out.
Thats what your system is going through
The nervous system is being compressed along with your circulatory system.

When I start using my hands and arms it increases
When I try to reach, grasp, etc it increases
Heat, the weather and stress increases throbbing
Sitting or standing for more than 10 minutes increases throbbing
What doesn't increase throbbing in my case.

things you can do
1. LAY ON THE FLOOR ON YOUR BACK AND OPEN THE BP
2. Subtle movements like Feldenkrais
3. Exercise your spine so its like a dolphin
4. O gravity chairs

Throbbing
 

I did post about this a few months ago. I had it at night when I was lying in bed. It would actually wake me up and i would move a bit and it would go away. I have changed PT in the last 3 months and it has calmed down.
I believe the PT was pushing me too hard the muscles were soooo tight pressing on the arteries more. I never had any numbness or blue arms/hands just the throbbing and PAIN.
Hope this helps.

When laying on your back on the floor, as Ocelyn suggested, use a miracle ball or a towel roll going down your spine to really stretch out your spine.

It is a very weird sensation. When I get it, it goes up to the left side of my face and down my left arm too. Kind of freaky because it mimics the symptoms of an MI. I'm overweight with high blood pressure and cholesterol, so I'm kind of a candidate for that. I've taken the aspirin too on more than one occassion "just in case"

I wouldn't panic, but I'd definitely report it to your doc. It wouldn't hurt to have a baseline EKG on file.

i agree wholeheartedly regarding reporting it to your doctor. I'd definiitely share it w/Sanders since you just went all the way there to have him evaluate you.

btw-miracle balls on sale this week at costco!