Hi Donna,
What kind of Doc are you seeing? Also I believe in more opinions than one. I mean well believe me. Hugs, Roz

Hi, Roz...I see Dr. Centeno, here in Denver, for pain management. He's done everything he can for me, short of myobloc, which I am considering. I've also seen Dr. Sanders (I live near Denver), along with a top neurosurgeon, top ortho surgeon, a couple of other PM&R docs, and then a few other docs thrown in :) The TOS dx is universal with all the docs; I've never shown any signs of vascular involvement, though, so I'm not considering surgery right now, as I do fear RSD...I also have other complicating factors with clavicular instability, which contributes to the TOS, and I don't think a scalenectomy is really a good answer for me.

Dr. Centeno is really good, though, and very knowledgeable about TOS. He's been watching for RSD for a couple of years now, and I'm sure he'll have something to say about it.

I have felt better today; maybe the Lyrica is helping...or just having a better day???

I know you mean well, thank you so much for caring!

Hey DONNA,

Have you had a Inner Scalene Brachial Plexus Block?

Have you had a SGB?

My hope for you is that you do not have the daily double.

If you are considering surgery RSD needs to be ruled out 100%. Hugs, Roz

Hi again, Roz...yes, I had an interscalene bp block, and it was the ONLY block I've ever had that really helped with pain, even though it was only a few hours. No SGB yet, although the PA mentioned it yesterday, and in some of the research articles I read it seems to be most effective in the early stages, so if Dr. C. wants to do one I'll probably go ahead with it.

I'm not considering any surgery right now, although Dr. Sanders would do it if I asked him. The RSD thing is too scary to me, though...I agree with you!

Ugh! Went and folded some laundry...now my "good day" isn't so good anymore...a little burning around elbow and back of arm...:mad:

Hugs to you, too! :hug:

Donna - where is your elbow/back of the arm pain? is it on the "outside" (i think thats the ulnar nerve side)? If so, i HATE that pain.

Hi Dabbo,
I think the Ulnar Nerve runs down the inside of the arm. The Nurse Practisioner at my last post op visit told me the sensativity that I was experiancing on the inside of my arm was most likley from the Ulnar nerve waking up she said that is where it runs down the arm.. I describe it as if you place your palm up it would be the inside of the arm from the axilla to the elbow. I see my surgion today so I will double check with him and get back to you on it. I am still having that ugly feeling in the same area.
Hugs :hug:
Dawn

Yes, Dawn, that's where I get some burning and pain, exactly, and around the outside of the elbow. That would correspond with the outer part of the hand (ring and pinky fingers), wouldn't it? Of course, that's actually the "inner" part of the hand anatomically speaking, as the palm is supposed to face forward. Man, I was an RN...I had all this memorized in nursing school! I've forgotten so much! This isn't my biggest problem, though...just something I've been noticing lately. The majority of my pain is in the bp area and shoulder blade...but numbness is worst in ring, pinky, and that side of forearm.

I was interested to find out from the PA on Monday that some of the facial numbness and twitching could be coming from problems with the sternocleidomastoid muscle...that makes perfect sense, as that attaches to the sternum and clavicle, which is where I have some instability. It must be the SCM trying to brace the clavicle, which must put pressure on facial nerves...

It is like a puzzle, this body of ours! I wish all the pieces fit together again like they used to, though...:(

I hope you can find some answers at the surgeon's office today, and not the answers nobody wants to hear!

Interesting point (again!) Dawn and donna! I always have trouble decsribing where the pain is (inside or outside). Mine is on the anatomical palm-up inside, which of course i refer to as the "outside" :D Aside from the associated pain, writing and typing are tough, and I think i've lost some dexterity in those 2 particular fingers. I too have some neck pain, and my face feels "funny." Kinda numb/tingly sometimes, and it'll start to hurt on occasion. I'll have to ask my doc about that when i see him next. thanks again!