Typical symptoms?
 

Started as upper trapezius, neck and shoulder (both) pain. Progressed to forearm tightness and pins and needles in left hand. Initially both hands would tingle and burn when elevated, or even doing a doorway stretch. Now they tingle regardless. Left sometimes feels colder than the right.
Progressed to both arms bicep and tricep pain. Sides of neck tighten spontaneously. Occasional intense wrist pain and weakness.
Collarbone area often hurts, like a tender pinching sensation. Underarm pain (both). Headaches. Choking sensation. Ribcage pain.

Chronic pain now, every day.
Currently awaiting appointments for diagnosis.

Typical symptoms? Can anyone relate?

Much appreciated.

Sounds very familiar..
Hows your head/neck/shoulder posture? forward of body , hunched or rolled forward.. all those close down the chest where nerves & blood need to flow..

Choking & collar bone sensation = look for top rib mobilisations..
armpit pain - look for pec minor & lymph drainage massage

We have posts on those so our search can find those or web search , also videos on you tube cover it too.
https://www.neurotalk.org/search.php

Expert PT or expert chiropractic care and lots of self care & limiting activities that aggravate symptoms can help to reverse it.

Do you know what brought it on?
desk work/repetitive, injury?

Unless your dr is knowledgeable on repetitive motion/TOS type issues, you may not get clear diagnosis.. Some say they are, but some have a bias if testing or imaging doesn't show a clear cut cause..

Explore our sticky threads and use the search tool- lots of info has been covered over the years..
https://www.neurotalk.org/search.php

[QUOTE=Jo*mar;1274309]Sounds very familiar..
Hows your head/neck/shoulder posture? forward of body , hunched or rolled forward.. all those close down the chest where nerves & blood need to flow..

Choking & collar bone sensation = look for top rib mobilisations..
armpit pain - look for pec minor & lymph drainage massage

We have posts on those so our search can find those or web search , also videos on you tube cover it too.

Expert PT or expert chiropractic care and lots of self care & limiting activities that aggravate symptoms can help to reverse it.

Do you know what brought it on?
desk work/repetitive, injury?

Unless your dr is knowledgeable on repetitive motion/TOS type issues, you may not get clear diagnosis.. Some say they are, but some have a bias if testing or imaging doesn't show a clear cut cause..



Thanks so much for your reply, appreciated!
My posture is definitely not the best, and I've been trying to improve it.
My job was repetitive, and a desk job as well.
My Dr is not at all familiar with TOS and has referred me to orthopaedics.
There is only one TOS specialist in the UK and he is unfortunately private and a long way from me, but I definitely would save up and make the journey, he's very well rated and diagnoses to International standards.
Just getting a diagnosis instead of imagining all sorts of things would be good.

Thanks again

Hi, so I didn't have any luck with doctors.. let me tell you. My primary didn't know what was going on so she referred me to orthopedic. They did an MRI of my shoulder. They told me I had tendonitis of my supraspinatus (which is caused by poor posture). Needless to say I found a good PT, I did a ton of my own research online into stretches and work outs. I get soft tissue work, dry needling of the tight muscles, I take muscle relaxers occasionally at night time, and I stay on top of my stretching and strengthening routine. While you are looking for a doctor, I would research PTs in your area, call around and see who has experience with TOS. See what modalities they use. In my experience soft tissue work, dry needling, combined with stretching, strengthening and my own self myofascial release with a foam roller and lacrosse ball have helped me tremendously. I can still work at my desk. I can still do things.. most importantly I'm not in agonizing pain all of the time any more. It's manageable and I now believe that I can actually get all the way better if I stay the course.. best of luck. It's a hard long road but it is possible!!