UPDATE-Two Month Post Ops and Question regarding knots in shoulders
 

Hello Everyone!!! As I told u all, I will give an update on my recovery each month. Please note, I'm going to be honest and truthful about how my recovery has been going. I think being honest and truthful will help others dealing with this unpredictable illness. I hope this will help someone decide if they should have surgery.

As u a all know, I had my third surgery on Dec 2. They removed my first rib, and two scalene muscles. This was on my left side. My two previous surgeries were on my right, with no success. Well, well, well. You all, my recovery has been very difficult. I haven't sleep much. I believe I average a about two to three hours asleep. I can't sleep on my stomach or sides. I sleep with about three to four pillows. This is all due to the first rib removal on the left chest side and the cut in the neck area. The pain has been HORRRIBLE!!!! I still have swelling and numbness in both areas. My doctor has me doing this exercise where I'm swaying both arms back and forth as I'm walking. I do this for thirty minutes every day. He states this helps the brain send signals to both areas to help strengthen the muscles and regain movement. It's painful but it has help with some of the strength, movement, and lessen some of the pain. I use ice packs after doing this exercise, and heating pads after that. Using ice packs and heating pads really, really helps with the pain and swelling. But I still have a long way to go. He did inform me it's going to take a full 1 1/2 for full recovery. By the way, the strength has not return in both arms.

I have a question for those of u who has gone through a scalenectomy surgery. I notice in my shoulders I have these painful knots in them. Especially the left arm. It's very painful when I'm pressing on them, and when my wife are massaging them. Has anyone experience this. My doctor said it's muscle spasm, but I know it's not muscle spasm. I'm taking pills for muscle spasms and the knots are still there. If u have experience this, please let me know. I've never had this in my 20yrs dealing with TOS.

I hope my story will help those who's trying to decide surgery or PT. Trust me as I've written before, I've had them all. My first two surgeries didn't help. PT, chiropractors, acupuncture, etc., didn't help. But some u haven't gone through this as long as I have, which is a blessing. I say to each u, do your research. Research doctors and TOS. Don't just have surgery because your doctor suggested it. Get a second and third opinion. Stay connected to this forum and talking to others who's dealing with TOS. It's good to talk to others who's going through something u r going through. A lot of people don't believe us. :0)

One last thing. If u are out on long/short term disability, please have your doctor give your employer a good return date. If not, they will let u go. I'm still praying for each of u. May GOD bless u all. Don't give up, keep fighting. Remember, "YOU will lose if u quit"!!!!

I will keep you all updated each month.