Long Thoracic Neuropathy
 

I just want to share my story here on my experience with long thoracic neuropathy. In 2006, I gave birth to my second (and last) son. 2 days later I had an aching pain in my right arm. My doctor kept telling me I just pulled a muscle but I knew it was something more. A week later I was in the er getting a shot for pain because it was so excruciating.

About another week went by and my pain was gone. I had winging of the scapula shortly after that. I was referred to a neurologist. He told me I had this condition and that this has happened to other women after childbirth although this condition is rare. They didn't want to do surgery at that time because it could trigger another attack. They said there was an 80% chance it would get better on it's own over time. Months and years went by and I have had problems with weakness between the shoulder blades. Serratus Interior muscles I believe they are called. I have problems lifting anything with some weight above shoulder level, especially straight out. My arm gets very tired very fast if I scrub the counter or dishes for more than a minute.

The reason I am writing this now is because I had what I believe to be another attack today. But this time, the pain is by my right shoulder blade. I woke up and not 10 minutes later I was hurting. It hurts when I lift my left arm or use it outstretched, turn my neck to the right and take deeper breaths. I am waiting on a call from my neurologist from before but went to the doctor this morning. They gave me pain pills and some nerve medicine to try to stop any more damage. I have been very stressed out for awhile and actually had a panic attack yesterday. I wonder if stress can bring it on. I have also had several chiropractic treatments in the last month. I will add more when I hear from the neurologist. I guess I would like to hear from someone if they have experienced this and what they have tried.

Heck yeah stress can cause an attack! :eek:

Been there. Had measureable improvements after having relieved myself of toxic people and situations. Even more improvement (in limiting attacks) when I changed from Group Therapy with a LCSW to private sessions with a Psychologist that specializes in chronic pain patients. What we are going thru is almost unbearable. Those yet to be diagnosed have it even worse because they aren't 'believed'.

In my opinion, Psych counseling is just as important as Feldenkreis PT or stretching.

:grouphug:

New member ,I have never heard of thoracic outlet.
 

:deadhorse::Dunno::Dunno::Dunno::Dunno::Dunno::Dun no::thud:Thank you for bring it up.do you know if anyone in your family feels like you?
And how many?

Thank you for responding. My neurologist called me back today. He is in another state so we have to communicate by phone. He said he has a patient who had an attack in a very stressful situation and he also said he knows a guy that got an attack from arm wrestling so I am staying away from the chiropractor now. The nerve meds I was put on have made a huge difference although I could barely function yesterday as they made me so dizzy. The pain wasn't as bad this time. I think it was just a minor one. He said if weakness shows up he wants me to get steroids through a vein or something. I have never heard of Feldenkreis PT. Do you have a history of poor posture? I read that that can be a contributing factor with pressure in certain areas. I have had it my whole life. My neurologist is involved in significant research on this subject so I feel confident with him. The hospital I went to said it was so rare it wasn't even in their system. With all the forums and people online suffering from it, it seems not to be as rare as I thought.

Have you had any expert PT or bodywork, other than chiropractic?

It's been awhile since anyone has posted about long thoracic nerve issues.
I'll try a search and see if I find some threads or posts.

Here's a few that might be of interest-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...thoracic+nerve
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...thoracic+nerve
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...thoracic+nerve

No, never had a posture problem, and always maintained my health. I was an aerobics 'nut' in the 80's. I had off and on issues all my life with TOS, but didn't know what it was until I was diagnosed in 2000. Fought it for another 4 years, getting mis-diagnosed or ruling out things that it might be. Started surgeries in 2004.

Glad you got a call back from your doc and the nerve meds are helping!