Subclavian steal syndrome and other insufficiencies
 

Hi, Can you tell us more about these two? What symptoms did you experience? What was the underlying cause(s)? What treatments were tried? How was the diagnosis done?

I ask because I have had some strange symptoms, like getting light-headed when my arm is in a down position. Also, getting light-headed when turning my head to one side (not the other) and even worse if tilted back. I found later that such a head position was used as a diagnostic for vb insufficiency!

After some diazepam, OMT and PT, I'm doing better, but still, I would love to hear from a fellow patient what they experienced with the conditions you mentioned.

tos is subclavian steal syndrome

Nothing I've read on either subject says exactly that and in many cases, documents about one or the other don't even include a "see also" for the other let alone state that they are identical conditions... Is this an opinion then? If so, would you like to expand? If not, would you provide references?

I was firstly diagnosed with subclavian steal syndrome, then they told me it's the same as tos.

Subclavian steal syndrome is often caused by anterior scalene syndrome.

more info on it some of these sites have been recently updated.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/418203-overview
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subclavian_steal_syndrome

[Subclavian steal syndrome is a relatively uncommon form of peripheral artery disease (PAD) in which a blockage is present in a critical location within one of the subclavian arteries, causing symptoms that involve both the arm and the brain. ]
http://heartdisease.about.com/od/les...l-Syndrome.htm

* Looks like it depends on what is causing the blockage or blood slowdown.

Thanks for the info. Were you having problems with lightheadedness/dizziness then? Can you share what tests they used and what kind of doctor?

they just saw my red hand, level up my arm, take my pulse and say it's sss.

But the name is not important, because it's a "syndrome", it mean that we don't know the disease. Only speculation.

You can call it how you want^^

sorry not to answer yet. will get to this soon as I can. remind me if it gets to be too long.

I started out having constant lightheadedness (a woozy, foggy feeling) and nausea, and when I raised my arms, for example, to wash my hair, I almost passed out; then it progressed to full-on vertigo (the room spinning around me sensation). I have bilateral arterial and venous TOS. I researched it and yes, subclavian steal can be caused by TOS. My thoracic surgeon (who will be performing my rib surgeries) confirmed this. This is what I found:

In subclavian steal syndrome, occlusion or marked stenosis are present, usually due to atherosclerosis, of either the subclavian or innominate artery proximal to the origin of the vertebral artery (VA). The established difference of pressure between the subclavian and basilar artery may lead to a siphoning effect with blood flowing from the opposite VA across the basilar artery and down the VA on the occluded side. This results in a steal blood phenomenon at the expense of the basilar artery, as blood flow is reversed to the ipsilateral occlusion VA, which leads to a hypoperfusion state in the vertebrobasilar arterial (VBA) system and thus vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI). in patients suffering from SSS, who developed dizziness, hearing loss or tinnitus, careful neurological examination and follow-up are mandatory in order to prevent other neurological deficits in the VBA territory.

Look at the vertabral artery sx of TOS on this chart -
http://tos-syndrome.com/newpage12.htm

I had all of those early on - Most of them faded away with being off work and PT/DC, self care etc. I think mine was mostly tight muscles/spasm related.
DIZZINESS, LIGHTHEADNESS
VERTIGO, SYNCOPE
DIPLOPIA(eyes/vision double, etc),
DYSARTHRIA, DYSPHONIA, DYSPHAGIA - these are voice, swallowing and another one involving the throat or speech - I looked them up long ago..

My voice still acts up if I talk a lot or sing loud.
Still can mis-swallow if not paying attention...just goes the wrong way sometimes..