Hi! I have been lurking a while on different boards.. and decided to join here, as I will need some support and friends moving forwarded. I will try and not make this super long.....

have had TOS Almost 3 years, I didnt do the Dr shuffle so much, after 2 shoulder surgery's My should was better but my tos symtoms never went away.
My shoulder Dr sent me to see Dr Avery in SF (this is all WC) and Avery sent me to see Peter, get the TOS MRA, get the brace, PT and my Tens unit, pain meds and nerve meds I have been doing this all for 10 months now.... and Im only getting worse and worse. My arm turns blue and purple the swelling is horrid and we all know about the pain... I went back to see Avery, and I knew it was coming.... Surgery... and at this point in the game im pretty much ready to have them just cut the whole arm off.

Dr Avery spent 2 1/2 hr with me covering all the complication and risk, and I signed all the paperwork... now more waiting, waiting for work comp to approve...

So Im asking you: Give it to me... The good the bad, the worst the better... I know its going to suck... buy I'd really like to chat with a few of you that have had this done. I do not have an extra rib, I do have TOS on both sides my dominant arm is the only one with problems, my Artery is involved only when moving my arm away from my body "tiger ally" measures 7.2 (per Dr pretty bad, done on bone) wants to remove 2 neck muscles and 1st entire rib, will also have a neroligist in surgery to test the nerves during the operation...says about 6 hrs 5 to 10 day hospital stay in SF.

Thanks Fellow TOS peeps
TOS gerl

Sounds like you have it covered pretty well, and with knowledgeable drs & therapists.

The swelling and blueness isn't from vein involvement???

I've never heard of the "tiger alley " or measurements of it.

Hospital stay sounds about right , it all depends on how you are doing.

Most swear by having a recliner at home for sleeping at least for the first while after being home, or lots of pillows for propping & comfort.

It 's good to hear they are taking the whole top rib and not leaving a stump, sometimes that is a problem from past reading about it online.

I'll add "upcoming surgery questions" to your title so those with surgery experiences will be sure to see it.

I'm sure the Blueness and swelling is from the vein.. the blood not getting back to the heart right? Avery said and looking at my MRI you can see the Artery get cut off when I move my arm, so I know that for sure, but sometimes when I'm not "doing" anything its turning blue..... 2-3 times a day, almost everyday this whole week a huge change.

My Surgeon call the space between my clavicle and 1st rib "tiger ally" (alot is crammed in that tiny space) they gave me my measurements on each side, but never told me what "normal" was, I do know I dont have an extra rib. im glad he want to take the whole rib as well, he said he has seen it cause problems when they dont.... I like the idea of him testing the functionality of those 5 nerves during the operation.. Any idea on the MRA shows I have on boths sides, just only one is causing me problems, should I be worried about my "good" side ?

swelling and blueness = subclavian vein

Jo Mar..... Cant fiqure out how to reply to private message???? or send you one??
But Yes, and I didnt know...so if you could help me do that it would be great. Thanks 8)

You won't be able to send private messages until you've been with us a little longer, but you can receive them.

Have a look at the top right of the page. You'll see your user name and some other information.
This is what mine looks like:

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If you click on the Private Messages, you'll be taken to your Inbox.

I hope that helps.

Yeah that helps.... She sent me a message...and now I know why I could not respond.... Thanks SO MUCH! So how do I take off other identifying info like email?

Your email won't show publicly on the forums unless you post it somewhere yourself.

You should be able to PM and reply to PMs now, the reply button will be in the lower right corner of the PM message.