[prussell]

My symptoms fit but they don't fit. Maybe some members can help me make sense of this.
Over the past 8 years (maybe longer) I have had some weard issues that have made me crazy. When I get in the wrong position (side lying or bending from the upper torso) I get these tingling sensations in my trunk, face, arm, legs, toes, pretty much everywhere and then (within seconds) I can feel a fire building from the inside out and I will sweat profusily. If I change positions, the symptoms disappear. Much of what I have read about TOS is more involved with circulation rather than nerves and even when nerves are involved it seems to be little finger and inner forarm. Mine is more systemic and not chronic. As soon as I move the symptoms go away.
I went to a neurologist hand had MRI, EMG and xrays done with no diagnosis, well that is not quite accurate. She said it was probably menapause (never heard of positional menapause).
Anyway, I have lived with it since then but recently I thought I would give a chiropractor a chance to work on it. I am worse not better.
The chiropractor said that I do not have the natural kyphosis in my thoracic spine (it is flat) and that he cannot get those areas to move (pop). From my lowest thoracic vert all the way to my axis seems to be involved.
I am tired of not sleeping (who can sleep on their back all the time) and sweating at work just because I bend over to do something. I am hoping some of you have had the same symptoms or may know where I can look next. Thanks in advance for any advice you might have.

[Jomar]

I'm going to place copies of your post on the General Health Conditions & Rare Disorders forum and also the New Members forum- just to get more ideas for you.

Here's the main page so you can find your posts on the other forums -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/index.php


TOS usually involves the upper body for the most part- hands, arms ,neck, shoulders, upper back.

If the MRI shows your full spine to be all in good shape - maybe some sort of bodywork would be helpful - somatics, feldenkrais, yoga, hellerwork, etc.
Or it could be something completely different, that you will need more testing to figure it out..

A few have mentioned an autonomic syndrome ??- causes the body to sweat and over react to stimulus.

[finz]

Does the chiropractor use the attenuator on you ? ( It looks like an old fashioned metal hypodermic) Some chiros use it to 'open the intervertebral spaces" so that sublaxations move easier and don't get 'locked.'

If so, don't let him do that anymore ! It can press right on the offending nerves and aggravate the problem.

Burning pain is often nerve pain....and sudden profuse sweating goes with the abnormal thermoregulation of nerves misfiring.

If you have 'positional menopause' (sorry....but stupid docs who refuse to take our complaints seriously because we are middle aged women irritate me to no end), I'm assuming that you are in the general range of 40 and up. If this were a quiz named 'diagnose the newbie' I'm leaning towards arthritic changes of the spine which are not pinching the nerves in neutral position, like laying on your back in bed (which is coincidentally the same position you were most likely in during the MRI and EMG) but ARE causing nerve root impingement when you bend or turn the wrong way. Your doc could order a kinematic MRI which looks at your spine when it is turned in a way that exacerbates your symptoms. He can also order a provocative EMG to try to see what the nerves are doing while you are having symptoms.

[tshadow]

I agree with you that this doesn't fit the typical TOS model.

But, it sure sounds nerve-based, and I believe YOU and do not think it is menopausal.

Docs often fail to say "I don't know" and instead blame us.

Keep searching. If necessary to stop work, first check out work comp free consultations so you get all of the permanent disability due you if applicable.