I'm 10years into this mess...neck surgery and TOS surgery. I feel sad and hopeless today because it's been a year since my TOS surgery. The last few days I've had killer headaches, my shoulders feel like cement, my shoulder blades still has monsters living in there......and I'm still taking way too many meds!

Has anyone had this procedure done? The surgery is performed for different reasons, but for me I want it to "destroy the nerves in my mid back". It's not a major procedure...maybe even an outpatient. And how do I convince WC!


Open Mind ~ Open Heart

Isn't a sympathectomy done for some RSD patients??

You might copy you post to the RSD forum and maybe get more input about it.

Or do a whole forum search, I know there are older posts mentioning it - years ago.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/search.php

Hi annhere. I was offered a sympathectamy along with tos surgeries on both sides in september, as the surgeon did not feel I would find enough releif from the tos surgery alond due to other issues. I have spoken to others who have had it.....Yes living with pain sucks, and drives us to do alot of things..IMO it is not worth it, the side effects can be horrible. Please refuse me for being VERY blunt and I may get eddited for this but one of the people I spoke to about having this procedure after his tos surgery was and I quote "I would rather slide down a pole of razor blades everyday and use my balls as breaks, than go through this procedure again" sounds harsh...but was true for him. Also there is an increased chance of getting CRPS having this surgery done after your tos surgery...even more painful than what you experience now.
I considered the surgery....but declined, not because I enjoy the pain...but enjoy more pain and discomfort more. Good luck on your decision.

How can my arm/shoulder hurt/burn sooooo bad after two surgeries? How ccan playing playing with my niece for 3 hours put on bed rest for four days...Is this what my life is.........yuk! I'm soo tired of meds I could just scream.

I do PT once a week...trigger point shots every two weeks...lots of stretching myself and still I have all this pain...

I take Topomax, Lyrica, Cymbalta, Ultram, Flexiral, Pain Patches, Tens Unit...use ice....I mean really what else is there?

Ann,

I'm sorry to hear that surgery didn't help you. I had surgery with the same surgeon and am in the same condition as you. I, too, am tired of taking medication; nothing else has helped. I'm at a place now where I'm just trying to manage this condition. Some days are horrible, some are tolerable with medication. My life has been changed completely -- and not in a good way.

I wish I had some words of wisdom. Instead, all I can say is I understand your frustration.

Kelly

Ann and Kelly:

I'm very sorry you are both in this mess.

Ann: Is the same surgeon who performed your rib resection offering the sympathectomy or another surgeon?

I admit to lurking on both of your stories as this surgeon is one of two I had a consultation with in my area. From what I read, I'm not impressed.

Wish you all the best,

Anne

Ive read that it can help people with headaches also and its part of the thoracic nerve.
I thought I read awhile ago someone had the procedure done. I know it's a stretch.....but we all know what it feels like when we feel helpless.

Couldnt agree with you more with that feeling.... And by the way I would love to know what is it like to not have a headache/migraine every day.

I don't know if any of this might apply in your cases or not, but just wanted to mention it - just in case..

If you ever had any upper body/head hit, car wreck, fall, sport injury...

[POSTURE IS A WINDOW INTO A PERSON'S HEALTH
Upper Cervical misalignment = Poor Posture = Poor Health

The following Signs and Symptoms may indicate Upper Cervical (c0-c1-c2) Injury

C0 – skull or occiput; C1 – atlas; C2 - axis]
more info on this whole site-
http://www.upcspine.com/self.htm

If it sounds like something that you want to learn more about you can do a Google search & also for videos showing it.

My chiro did this for me - I had taken a fall off my horse ages ago -when age 15 - and also backyard sports and tomboy adventures and falls, lots of rough & tumble play with neighbors & brothers as a kid..
and a minor car accident at age 20 - hit head on steering wheel pretty hard - all these things added up- plus hyper-mobility
so was easy for me to get messed up - then add on top a highly repetitious & 10 work day x 15 yrs...

just something to think back on and add up any little things that all can take a toll..
and if they fit, maybe upper cervical might help.