Hi my name is Martina in Oklahoma.
I have TOS and do have extra rib in left shoulder. For well over 20 years have had pain and no one knew why. About 11 yrs ago my chiropractor discovered the extra rib in an x-ray and told me some day I would have to have it removed. I dealt and am dealing with the pain. Several doctors several tests showed nothing to them. I finally found a neourosurgeon to point me in the right direction to a vascular surgeon.

We have decided I must have surgery to remove the extra rib but it looks in x-ray that it is connected to rib number one and it also has to be removed. I am scheduled for surgery Feb. 19 and am very nervous and scared, although I completely trust God is the one guiding the surgeons hands and I am and will be surrounded by my guardian angels and the Holy Spirit.
I was dealing with the pain and able to work cleaning houses and a real estate agent. In Aug. 09 I was backed out at wally world and a lady backed up and hit the bed of my truck hard that it jarred me, have whiplash and it aggrivated my condition worse. I have not been able to work since then and even typing now I have pain so I'm in process of trying to get SSDI, it is in the works.
I believe I could have gone a few more years as I had been doing but since the accident it has only gotten worse. My question is insurance......you know how they are, I am still awaiting for my pay of lost hours from aug to oct and they argue that they will only pay me 2 days work, I beg to differ it's 200 hours and really still counting because I can't work.
Should I push the issue of the accident pushing me to have to go forth with surgery or just fight to settle what I told them, which is pay my doctor over 3K and my lost time of 200 hours? Or fight them and I do have doctors backup that I was able to work before and since then I am not able to and will not be able to even after surgery?
I am a person who is not greedy after tons of money (although it would useful), I just want to settle at my request and move one, because I know it can drag on, but I also know I have had much pain and suffering not to mention so has my husband because he has to care for me in many ways.
Can anyone please help me to understand and go forth on the surgery, I only see it as the only solution and it has taken years to get to the doctor I need and one of very few in Oklahoma who will actually do such a surgery since it is so touchy and serious.
I am trusting God in every way as I said but I'm also being straight up honest, I'm scared of the surgery and I really feel without the accident I could of gone for more years without having to jump so quickly on surgery. I hope to hear from someone to talk to that has been through the surgery and speak to someone about my accident, can I should I tell insurance no this is more than I thought especially after finding the right doctor? Thank you and I'm so glad I found this site.

Welcome and thanks for sharing your story.

I'm a TOSer too, with other problems.

You are very well in touch with what's going on and what you have facing you. It is no pic-nic. Lots of other TOSers here will come along and give you support and advice about preparing for surgery and aftercare. Most important things. cannot be ignored or deviated from. You must have experienced providers working with you. Do get a second opinion.

As far as the accident goes, I'm with you. I put off litigation till the VERY last day, I mean last day. Don't do that. Find a good plaintiff's attorney and make an appointment before surgery. you can get a second opinion on that too. You have just as much need for a good lawyer right now as you do a good surgeon. TOS is difficult in law too.

There are statute of limitations on time. In KY, for personalinjury/civil, it's 2 years, or two years from the last date of medical treatment that is paid for by PIP (personal injury protection insurance, through your auto insurance, a minimum of $10,000). so you need to get the legal side in order too. neither is going to be much fun.

We're here for you. I would be scared too.

You will find much comfort in the arms of God's love and care.

william, this is just a thought. sometimes a drug reaction will cause the muscles to fire involuntarily. this happened once to me with compazine. only instead of fingers it was my neck involuntarily pinned down on my shoulder. sorry u r having a hard time. i hope you get some improvement soon.

Update; Finger infection is finally fading away. But recent EMG showed that after 5 years of no change of my carpal tunnel; it has worsened significantly. Also, the ULnar, plexus,a nd neck herniation all have worsened. I knew they were feeling worse, and the test proved it.

So Billy, sounds like you have some work to do.

Need to see ortho surgeon specialists for the areas where there are disc abnormalities and ask, will surgery help or not?

Next, you need to have carpal tunnel corrective surgery. That would be at least one less pain for you to bear. Many TOS experts say do TOS surgery first, but I no longer worry about that personally - I say if you can get a surgeon (good one) to fix one of the many problems we present, then that's one less pain.

Let us know what you're going to do next.

God bless.

Is this work comp? SHOULD it be? Did you get symptoms when you were working? Did you see an attorney if any of this was applicable? Just reminding in case.

Again, God bless.

Hi

I saw a specialist for the herniation, and they recomended to try epiduorals for now. I had the first of a three shot set on Tuesday. I already had three carpal tunnel surgeries; two on that hand. I don't think they will do another. I already am on workers compensation, and have a lawyer. I am okey as far as that goes, but just have to control the symptoms from getting worse. I have a great arm/hand doctor, and see him soon. They are recommending therapy, continue injections, and careful exercises for now.