[frenchfri1003]

Having a few issues that concern me. I still have extreme tightness in my neck mainly right side but left also. I get pain down my cervical spine in the shoulder and shoulder blade region. Muscle spasms where I need to take the flexeril again which I haven't taken in a few months. I also use the Tens Unit. For the pain in my neck I am taking the hydrocode more than I would like. Lately I have had a heaviness in my upper arm and wrist area feels "odd". My left had turns reddish and at times fingers blueish. The shoulder and chest area in the front by my armpit is tight and achy. I feel like I am a mess. Not too happy about that. Hopefully noting serious.
Having an MRI on Monday and appointment with OSS on Tuesday to review. Had an appointment last Wed to talk to PA and he scheduled the MRI pretty quickly.

*************************************** **********
12/9/2010 ACDF C5-6 C6-7 with plate, screws,
BMP & bone fragment filled cages
2/14/2011 trying to go back to work as a teacher
2/17/2011 starting PT
wearing bone stimulator 4 hours a day
DDD, arthritis, herniated disks, pinched nerves
3 months saw a little bit of bone growth (YEAH)
4/15/2011 Home Tens Unit
5/4/2011 new pain and symptoms

Dealt with the pain and issues for more than 5 years
tried PT, chiropractic, acupuncture, cervical epidural shots and selective nerve root blocks prior to surgery

[frenchfri1003]

Saga continues
Okay, I went back to the OSS. Generally speaking the MRI was fine.
Straightening of the cervical lordosis and cervical dexroscoliosis
C2-3 buldging without central or foraminal compromise
C3-4 buldging without central or forminal stenosis
c4-5 diffuse buldging with effacement of the ventral thecal sac no forminal stenosis
C5-6 no central or forminal stenosis
C6-7 no central or foraminal compromise
C7 - T1 unremarkable
T1-2 buldging

So they want me to go to a vascular surgeon and have some other things checked out. Made an appointment for May 16th. I didn't want to take any more time off of work.
Hoep all is well with everyone. I have my regular 6 month post op in mid June.

[frenchfri1003]

Still on the rollercoaster. Went to the vascular surgeon. He did a dopler on the left wrist and said that there was excellent bloodflow to the hand. When he continued with the exam he found an irregular heartbeat that concerned him. My internist/cardiologist is in the same building. I h ave MVP but I don't think that should cause the problem. Maybe the Tens Unit? They brought me right in had a quick exam and an EKG. I guess they heard something so I wore the Holter Heart Monitor for 24 hours. Handed it in on Friday and should hear by Monday. Assuming it isn't anything serious or they would have called Friday night or sometime over the weekend. I have an appointment this Friday with the Rheumatoid Arthritis Doctor, getting a ton of bloodwork for him and internist on Tuesday with a full physical the following Friday. Just love all the doctor visits. Then my 6 month check with OSS on June 8th. Hope there is enough bone growth to stop wearing the Cervical Stim. The joys of getting old.
Hope everyone has a painfree and enjoyable weekend.

************************************** **********
12/9/2010 ACDF C5-6 C6-7 with plate, screws,
BMP & bone fragment filled cages
2/14/2011 trying to go back to work as a teacher
2/17/2011 starting PT
wearing bone stimulator 4 hours a day
DDD, arthritis, herniated disks, pinched nerves
3 months saw a little bit of bone growth (YEAH)
4/15/2011 Home Tens Unit

Dealt with the pain and issues for more than 5 years
tried PT, chiropractic, acupuncture, cervical epidural shots and selective nerve root blocks prior to surgery

[plexus]

The problem with TOS is that there is no universal symptom complex and from the description you've given its possible that TOS is one of many different (but related)problems you have.
IMHO I would make the following points though its not a substitute for your own docs advice

1.If they noticed an irregular pulse but did an EKG straight away and it was ok then its probably not much to worry about, just ectopics or something. Esp if the 24 hour EKG was ok and you're not symptomatic. Do you have any regurgitation associated with your MVP? Did they say your pulse was still irregular or resolved by the time they slapped the EKG leads on ?
2. Even though the vascular surgeon said your blood supply was ok in your arm it doesn't rule out TOS as much of the vascular problems are positional.Also some of the vascular symptoms you're getting could theoretocally be irritation of the sympathetic nervous supply that can occur in TOS which wouldn't show up with a doppler
3.The pain you describe, is it in the region of the levator scapulae muscle? Its a common place to get pain in TOS especially if you have a tendency for head forwards posture. Do you have any increased upper thoracic kyphosis or difficulties with scapular stabilization on exam?
4. Your MRI doesn't show any nerve compression so theoretically the pains in your arm could be related to TOS. Its difficult to differentiate between radicular pain from the neck or TOS in you I think !
5.Why are you having a rheumatological workup ? Do you have joint pains/swelling/skin changes anywhere else ? Are they thinking your vascular symproms are Raynauds and ruling out an associated connective tissue disorder ? Is there any other reason your necks in this sort of condition eg.long term poor posture,weight gain,previous trauma,age, family history