to op or not to op???????
 

Seeing my surgeon tomorrow to try and come to a definite decision regarding having another first rib excision op for the other side!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wish me luck, I'm as anxious as hell.
LOT'S of questions in my head but still not sure what to say........ I'm very confused.
I'm so stressed over this whole TOS issue that I've actually skipped 2 months period, I have to desperately tune into my body and mind and RELAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be honest I can't really imagine having another op, seeing how I feel after the first one:(.
I had to scribe in my work the other day for about an hour, intermittent note taking................... resulted in,neck spasms, a tingling sensation in my cheek, sharp pain in my breast, deep shoulder pain- front and back, fatigued arm, burning in outer fingers and tender wrist, oh and not to forget twitching muscles down by my forearm and tricep !:eek:
And so I just say to myself...... POSITIVE, POSITIVE, POSITIVE!:rolleyes:

Good luck. I am sure I will have to deal with that soon enough. My right side just started acting up. I see surgeon on the 26th for follow up.

If the surgery works, then we are trading a couple months of hardship to gain a lifetime of using our arms and living, hopefully, pain free. Every time I look at my motorcycle and think that if I don't have this fixed I may not be able to ride much longer, its a motivator to keep on the path. Stay strong and hope you get healed soon!

Hey,

To cut or not to cut. Well, just don't be in a hurry if you're apprehensive, for whatever your reason.

Did you have surgery once before????

We have to deal with it, though. There's nowhere to run to get away from it.

You have to do something to try to help yourself if you don't have surgery, if you can.

In 10-2000 I got rear-ended and had TOS, back, neck, hip, left, aaaaaaaarmmmmssssss, wrists, elbots, fingers, thumbs, and shoulders, headaches, scalenes and facial spasms... took loooootttss of things to get me up and running.

and, I got rear-ended again...

Have minor issues, but must return to my doctor/surgeon (because he's good and I will get the appropriate diagnosis and meds -
and I know where you're coming from. I never had surgery and I'm not a surgical candidate now, I don't believe. I was before.

I have problems with old issues, a few sensations and dropping things, some swelling and numbness. so, need checked out and a few meds and I'll be back on the lights and PT home exercise.

Wish I could make time for Yoga... It's good for the whole body. Just do what you can. Each time you'll go reach farther, hold longer...

Hopefully, I'll get to strengthen my core... need aqua therapy/pool for that.

LED and infra red lights are wonderful. I'll have to get a new one. I killed the old one. Kept bending it to help the scalenes and thumb. Oh, well. It's worth every penny.

Just don't like to give in to pain and weakness. I try to stay positive and not say things like "this is killing me" or "I can't stand this pain".

Relaxation and deep breathing techniques help a lot. You have to do it before it helps.

I know... I'm rambling...

TOS is nothing to ignore. It can get better/tolerable/manageable.

Whatever you decide, I pray it works out for you.

Take care...

Well................ I made my decision today. I told my surgeon that I want the second op to be put on hold until additional tests have been performed by my neurologist and after I have had physiotherapy, which I start tomorrow. He has my records on hold and has said that I can contact him when I feel ready to have the procedure. Even if it means waiting another year, I really feel that I need the time to recoup.
Unfortunately I asked the definitive question...... Is the venous compression bad? Straight answer: yes, it is significant enough to merit surgery and thrombosis is a risk.
Well, at the moment I feel not too bad and I'm using ALL my energy on recovering from post op tenderness etc. I will make sure that I pay extreme close attention to what my body says to me, if my arm gets too troublesome then I will be on the phone to him. I just hope that I don't encounter any issues with the unoperated side while I wait to feel stronger. I also hope that the physio can sort out my shoulders etc...... damn, they are really causing ALOT of discomfort at the moment along with all the usual TOS add on's.
Anyway....... POSITIVE,POSITIVE,POSITIVE!!!!!!!!!

I wish you the best.

Well, just back from my physio appointment. I'm pretty hopeful!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
Straight away the PT found that my main cuprit that is causing me ALOT of pain.... my Rhomboid muscles in the shoulders. With a very slight bit of pressure my shoulders and arms were very UNHAPPY:eek: Also they are looking into stretching for my neck and working on my weak areas ( pec muscle ) and post op tightening etc.
I've been given a date to see another physio who will see to me and provide a stretching/strengthening programme to follow and hopefully some acupuncture too:). I will find out more on my next appointment.
Where would we be without physiotherapy?
Thanks for your well wishes...... right back at yah!!!!!:hug:

I started ART two weeks ago and he said my neck muscle were like rocks to put it lightly. After 3rd visit he said he can now get deeper and the muscles are responding. My SCM muscles are causing a lot of the problems, but stretching has been better since doing ART.

hello SD
 

I can feel how worried you are. It is so hard not to get anxious when presented with a decision like this. It is indeed a very frightening experience. Nobody likes surgery or pain. I have to face a proceedure next week I am not overly thrilled with eithor. As the time draws nearer, I get more and more anxious, so I can understand. Keep in touch here, and keeps asking quesitons. Maybe ask your PCP for something to help you through this particular surgery issue. That is the time my physician gave me something to help with anxiety. Several times I didn't even drive myself as I was too nervous. Please know I am thinking about you. You are not alone. I hope alot of people will try to comfort you while you go through this. I will be keeping you in my prayers. ginnie

SD38, I too will be thinking of you.

Ginnie, you are so strong. You have been through so much.

Special prayers for you both... :smileypray: