surgery
 

Hi,
I was hoping someone could share their experiences with their surgery/
surgeons. As far as you get reading these questions will be really appreciated!
Any thoughts about going out of state for a recognized expert-freishlag, donahue,
Thompson? vs locally someone who is a good vascular surgeon at a good
hospital but does about two per month? Or someone more frequently but seems to
be unknown generally?
Any thoughts about the well known surgeons?
Why doesn't Dr. Donahue do pt afterwards while Freischlag who I
saw basically predicted I would need a year of pt afterwards before doing
the other side?
How far apart if you had both did you do it? I have gotten very different opinions
about this.
What was your recovery like especially as far as duration before you were functioning
and as far as pain?

throat constriction?
 

Does anyone else get this? I thought it was from medication but maybe
neck muscles can cause it?

I experienced this early on when my TOS was at its worst. Getting my first rib adjusted by a chiro (or mobilized by a PT) helped dial down all my symptoms including this one.

Another potential help is what I call "muscle relaxation meditation". You can search the forums for details.

Another potential help is diazepam to calm down the nerves and reduce muscle tone.

But yes, I've been there and others on these forums have as well.

HTH

Thanks for writing, no one has been able to explain this. Was it bad enough to cut off your air? It feels like choking when pain killer wears off, did you get that?

Just started muscle relaxant, did you ever get to the point where it
didn't knock you out too if it did at first?

Where could I read more about this phenomenon?

Thanks!

donahue/freishlag/thompson
 

Any thoughts or experiences with these docs? Anyone travel out of state for
an expert when a reasonably good doctor was local?

post surgical physical therapy?
 

How long was recommended or done postsurgically?
What was it like?
Was told I would need between 3-12 months--any ideas about why
a well known surgeon like Dr. Donahue doesn't have it done afterwards?

time to recover after surgery?
 

How long before you were partially/mostly functioning?

How long did bad post surgical pain last? Was it a lot worse than a bad
tos flare up?

Hello,
I merged your posts into one thread, it will make it easier to keep track of replies at first. :)
Members can quote the post they are replying to.

Yes, when I had severe spasms in my neck muscles & whole upper body..

I think it was my SCM and/or scalenes that caused my top rib to be pulled up and it got stuck like that , even after my chiro got me past the worst of the spasms.
I happened to find a highly skilled PT teacher that did a rib mobilization & they dropped back down into place. It made such a difference.
I think it worked so well & instantly for me because my spasms were resolved for the most part by then.

I had been having very limited hand/arm use and a constant choking/ tight turtle neck feeling for a few months until I found that PT guy. I felt like I had to constantly clear my throat and had issues with swallowing too.

Then at the next chiro appt I told him about the rib mob/adjustment & relief and he added that to my treatment as needed.

re: tos surgery
 

Hi there
I'm a pt. of Dr. Donahues. I live in Nh, about 1 hrs drive depending on traffic. My neurologists thought I could have tos, but he didn't know of who to send me to. I found Dr. D. Myself on the MGH website looking up tos. He runs a tos program. I was almost hesitant to see him cause he looked so young in Pic, Hes about 55. I know Mass Gen. has the best dr s in N.E. I had Lt. Side done in 3/12 he wanted to do my Rt. Side 6 mos later, but he didn't push it, he knew I had a lot of other issues going on. I had peroneal nerve decompression in lt. Knee 12/12 9mos later. Was causing me severe ankle & top calf pain & numbness for 4 yrs. Had surgery scheduled for Rt. Side 2x, may then Aug., which had to be cancelled. Now its on 9/12, which will be 18 mos from Lt side.
I know ill be in good hands, but still scared, its quite the surgery. No looking forward to it. This will be my 8th surgery in 10 yrs.
I? will try to reply soon about ur pt? and recovery. Too much shoulder pain rite now from lifting & cleaning.
Take care!