Hey there. Some of you might remember me from years gone by. For a while I was Sweet Pea.

I can't believe some of you are still here. I remember quite a few of your "handles".

Update on me, three years ago I had my L rib removed with some scalenes. It was done in MD with Dr. Karas. He diagnosed me with severe BL TOS. I went through trigger point injections, botox, everything but the kitchen sink. I did have relief from the surgery for a while but now its all back with a vengance. And I mean vengance.

On Saturday I had three hours of MRIs. Neck, cervical, thoracic and lumbar. I have a new EMG in a few weeks. My new dr at GMC says that they don't like to do redo surgeries because of the scar tissue. My pain symptoms are through the roof in both arms, my neck. I also have a new lump about the size of half an orange in my neck where it meets the collar bone. And this is on the better side! I get severe pain in my back in the kidney area. I had a UA to rule that out. On top of this I have two herniated discs and three bulging discs. And whatever new stuff is in the MRIs.

I'll be leafing through the old posts for as long as I can stay upright. It's good to "see" you all again.

Hi Sweet pea so glad that you found us on this forum, it is a bit different form the old one. I am sorry to hear that you are having trouble with the neck area and TOS symptoms. The ugly monster can cause the trouble with scar matter and have to see what the testing reveals for you. I hope and pray that you do find relief!

Keep us updated as you can, my prayers are with you.
Di

Hi sweetpea,
gibbrn has had sx return since her surgery also.

was there any injury or accident that might have caused your TOS sx to return?
Did you return to a job that might have brought it back?


I wonder does the MRA??or the 3D MRI?? show scar tissue?

Is there anything testing wise -that shows it before a surgeon goes in?

I'm on disability so no job involved.

However, I'm not one to sit and do nothing. I crochet and knit to keep myself occupied. If I could do either of those with my feet, I would. I gave up sitting in front of a computer doing this. Too much pain. So I guess it would just be gradual build up again.

knitting and crocheting would do it for me - the fine hand use, gripping and the postures involved. just my thought on it it.

I hate it how TOS can limit our ability to do simple things....like knitting. For me ....it's reading that I miss the most. Either I crook my head forward , which is bad news for my neck, or lift the book higher, which is too much for my arms....nevermind turning the pages ! Ugh !

For reading i use some throw pillows on my lap to prop the book up higher- I fluff them or shape them to work the best for me.

HI Finz, I love to read also. I am thinking of purchasing this book holder.
http://www.bookchairusa.com/. What do you think? I would have to put it on a pillow on my lap but I think it would help. Ihtos

So what do people with bad arms do for fun???? As I said, I knit and crochet as pain permits. Yesterday I read a book and now I'm paying for that big time!! I used to sew but leaning over a sewing machine wore me out fast. Computing does it also. So I'm left with house work. How fun is it to fold laundry for four people? Cleaning cat pans, emptying/loading DW, vacuming, they all stink but are all necessary. Heck, I can only last about an hour at Walmart any more. We have to do something to keep sane even if it causes pain. I felt totally guilty not helping my husband shovel snow over the weekend. I did as much as I could and then just kept him company.

So back to my question: What do people with bad arms do for fun????

I have decided I am going to join a health club and make hot tubbing my new hobby.


Anyone want to come?