[sharradog]

hi everyone
I have been reading the forums and honestly feeling a bit depressed about this whole condition, looking for some help and moral support!

My history:
Car accident at 16, I was passenger (seatbelt across r shoulder), and did lots of yoga but always "tight" in the thoracic spine area/shoulder on R.
October 2009 took a job with lots of laptop computer work (I'm a veterinarian so typically had an active job with little desk work)
January 2010 had pain in R. shoulder, very focal, went to PT
PT noticed tight neck, started aggressive traction, nerve glides etc. After on manipulation/treamtent where she added a "dural stretch" I woke up in severe neck pain.
April 2010 - paid out of pocket for MRI of neck - no abnormalities but on pressing they found a small disk at T1-T2.
August 2010 contrast MRI - normal flow but when I looked at the images the artery looked compressed so asked for second opinon - was told that it was "artifact"
August 2010 - Acupuncture - helped a lot but never eliminated the pain
October 2010 - had been improving, had a partial thyroidectomy for a (now we know benign) tumour and due to surgical positioning flared up my symptoms
Feb 2011 - new family doc, discussed case, had spoken with dr in US who suggested dynamic CT so new family doc sent me.
March 2011 - Dynamic CT- 60-70% compression of subclavian in the hands up position
April 2011 - contrast MRI waiting for results

My pain is bad at the moment, but it had been getting better until the thyroidectomy, then a bit better, until just recently started again. I can't seem to figure out what causes the "flare ups." but I have started going again to PT to a PT who is very gentle and does "visceral release" and some "energy" stuff so not sure if that is what is flaring it up, and whether I should expect some pain if she is realigning my nerves or posture or whatever.

My pain is mostly at the back of my skull, into my R shoulder and along the back of my R shoulder, sometimes my left, and my sternum. When really bad I get a pulling/tingling feeling in my sternum across my chest up the front of my neck. It sounds like others on here have much worse symptoms.

I am confused, I have people telling me not to have surgery, it will make it worse, and others saying I need to have a first rib resection. Of course this is all my own research - I did have an EMG which was essentially normal and saw a neurosurgeon who said I wasn't surgical (this was before the CT) and that emboli from arterial TOS is as "rare as hen's teeth". When I asked him about the pain he shrugged his shoulders and told me to take painkillers.

I'm not sure what to do, whether to keep going with PT, consider surgery, or what to do. There does not seem to be anyone in my area (Calgary) who I have found that has a lot of experience with TOS.
Anyone on here from Calgary or Western Canada that has a good doctor/surgeon?
Do I need surgery if my compression is simply positional (when I pull my arm back)?
Should I be asking for lyrica? My friend with MS gave me some but I am worried to try it. I keep just waiting for the pain to get better and wonder if it will. I used to be very active, rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking etc and I'm sad to think my active days are over.
Thanks!
Caroline