Hi Mcmanisport
First off let me clarify that I have peace of mind that one side is occlusion free ( after op ) BUT
in all honesty the surgery took its toll abit, phyiscally and emotionally. Unfortunately my immune system was hit and a few weeks after the op my lymph nodes near the incisions came up. I had a very sore throat for weeks too and because ligaments were shifted about during the op I obviously had to endure my neck feeling very tight and caught up, and unfortunately experienced some horrible headaches and dizziness.
About 2 weeks after I also gained pulsatile tinnitus ( a rhymic pulsing sound in my ears ) possibly due to the new blood flow I'm getting on my operated side.
I still have venous occlusion on my left and the blood flow imbalance is audiably noticable. This symptom will hopefully be corrected after the next op.
The worst part of surgery is that the aftercare is nil, you are pretty much on your own so get as many tips as possible for relaxation techniques etc.

I'm 2 months out of work and not ready to return yet..... I feel tense about this and its causing me to feel extra anxiety about returning before I feel fit. I cannot afford to cause myself extra damage due to scar tissue just because I'm rushing to get on the mend. I often have to remind myself that my health is more important than keeping a part-time job. Like you I drastically reduced my work hours but luckily have my husband's support to quit work so that I can concentrate on healing. I must be an idiot as I'm stressing about NOT working aswell.
If you consider surgery make sure that you are prepared for unforseen events. Start to eat healthily and get in your multivits to boost your immune system. You may be off work longer than intended.
Do you have reliable close people to help you out for the first few weeks after surgery? Believe me the last thing you will want to do or be able to do is housework. Family members will have to pull their weight.
I don't want to scare you but be prepared with how the look of scarring can affect you. I thought that I would be absolutely okay with it, I just wanted the compression gone but now that the scars are here for all to see its quite a knock on my self esteem. They are above and below my collarbone at 2 1/2 " wide......... and the prospect of having them also on my left side is hard to get my head around. I'm also struggling with feelings of guilt because apart of me thinks- how can you let these scars get you down when there are other people out there in a far worse situation. Vanity I know but I am now a woman who has scarring in a very feminine region, even high neck T shirts don't cover them properly and I'm certainly NOT going to walk around wearing a poloneck for the rest of my life. So yes be prepared for the stares of strangers as they do a not so sneaky glance at your scars ( its a very intrusive feeling ). My husband says I should be proud and show them off with confidence because they are apart of me now.
I have to keep telling myself its better than my vein being compressed.
I'm seeing a councellor to try CBT tomorrow in the hope that I can work on refocussing and gain confidence.
I'm pretty strong willed but the op affected me in a way that I wasn't prepared for or even considered that this would happen to my self esteem.
I know it won't last but its hit me all the same.
Get a good support system in place ready and prepare your loved ones for possible changes.
Keep in touch on a regular basis with this forum..... it really does help!!!!
Best wishes
SD38

@Mcmanisport you mentioned the problems you experience at work. I know for me, if I do my stretches and postural exercises before doing something physical, I have fewer problems. For example, if I'm going to do housework, I do self therapy first and it goes better.

Maybe you're already doing this, but if not, try carving out some time before you go into work to see if that makes it more bearable.

HTH

Also try taking frequent stretch breaks during work to break up static positions. I know for me, that seems to help. I am at my worst after work, after a long day especially...

Hi Chroma, No actually I dont do this before work- just during and after. I never thought of that. Thank you- I will take your advise and try it Monday morning

Thank you for the rest of your story. I would think I too would be absolutely fine with some scarring but like you said- you dont know how you'll react until you have them yourself. Post surgery does not sound like fun
It sounds like you have a good support with your husband. I think mine will be a big help, especially with our little one. I have a Mom who would come out and stay with us if I needed her to. This forum has helped me a bit already- thank you

343v343,
I'm so sorry about your down and out days. I will give Dr Sanders a shot and call tomorrow. Today I literally spent the entire afternoon calling around looking for a closer Dr. It was ridiculous. I finally found someone 2 hours away (from the list on this forum) in Baltimore who does a lot of these procedures, and she and her receptionist were so helpful via email last night and phone today- and then come to find out neither the Dr or the hospital (johns hopkins) takes my insurance. Darn it.
One very frustrating thing I found is that no one answering the phone seems to know what Paget Schroetter or effort thrombosis is or a subclavian vein?! One receptionist, I told her all about what I have and she said "oh yeahhhh- our Dr. performs many of those surgeries and he is VERY good too" AND THEN she says to me- "now ok, what LEG is this in... your right or left?" OMG LOL I was ready to cry at this point. I did finally secure an appt with a vascular/general surgeon at Lankenau hospital which is just outside Philadelphia for next week. Will keep trying again tomorrow for one more. Thank you again, and you hang in there too.

If surgery is considered than I would definitely recommend that mum is on board too. The more hands on deck the better for everyone, including hubby.
No disrepect to mine bless him but its amazing how quickly the pile of washing built up! My guy was great but after a full days work I couldn't watch him deal with all the household chores too...... Anyway, its the perfect opportunity for mum to fuss over you all over again.
By the way, your post to 343v343 did make me giggle..... especially when you wrote that the receptionist said, " what LEG? ". OMG!!!!
-If you don't laugh, you'll cry... right!
Good luck with your choice.
SD38

343v343,

I wanted to tell you I spoke with Dr. Sanders today, as you mentioned him. He was very nice and very helpful and I'm faxing him my records tomorrow morning for his opinion, once I pick them up at the hospital.

SD38,
LOL! Yes regarding the "if you dont laugh you'll cry right?"

Please do document and tell us the process, very curious to hear how this all unfolds for you. I hope I never have to meet him, if that makes sense. But interested to hear how you experience the entire process. If you haven't already, check out this article:

http://www.ecentral.com/members/rsanders/