[rjewels13]

Hello, I am new here. I go to a TOS specialist next week. They told me I would get this injection and that I am to fast. It is apparently a diagnostic text? What should I expect during and after injection? No sugar coating please!

My symptoms are numbness, spasms in the neck, freezing cold hand that turns white, weakness, and it's my dominate left hand.

Thanks,
Julie

[rjewels13]

Originally Posted by rjewels13

Hello, I am new here. I go to a TOS specialist next week. They told me I would get this injection and that I am to fast. It is apparently a diagnostic text? What should I expect during and after injection? No sugar coating please!

My symptoms are numbness, spasms in the neck, freezing cold hand that turns white, weakness, and it's my dominate left hand.

Thanks,
Julie

I was really hoping I could get some insight on this. I've tried researching this on the net and can't find details. Is it called a scalene block? Will it hurt badly? Will I be sick like with anesthesia? All I know is I go to a pain mgmt doc twice, he tells me I have TOS, and I get an appt made with the nearest specialist 3 hours away! I'm stressing about the whole situation.

I just stumbled upon this board and hope to read thru different posts to find more info for the future. As for now, I'm very scared and unsure of the whole unknown.

[Sheri_TOS]

The shot they are likely doing is called a scalene block. The anesthesia is injected into the scalenes. For me, I experienced immediate relief of symptoms but the symptoms returned 2 to 3 hours later when the anesthesia wears off.

[rjewels13]

Originally Posted by Sheri_TOS

The shot they are likely doing is called a scalene block. The anesthesia is injected into the scalenes. For me, I experienced immediate relief of symptoms but the symptoms returned 2 to 3 hours later when the anesthesia wears off.

2-3 hours, that is all the relief you got? Is it like a real procedure with the gown on and all? Will they give you like a twilight stuff to make you calm. After, did you hurt really bad? How was the next day? It's Thanksgiving the day after I have this and I'm just wondering how I'll feel.

Thx for your comment Sheri

[Shadow1]

Originally Posted by rjewels13

I was really hoping I could get some insight on this. I've tried researching this on the net and can't find details. Is it called a scalene block? Will it hurt badly? Will I be sick like with anesthesia? All I know is I go to a pain mgmt doc twice, he tells me I have TOS, and I get an appt made with the nearest specialist 3 hours away! I'm stressing about the whole situation.

I just stumbled upon this board and hope to read thru different posts to find more info for the future. As for now, I'm very scared and unsure of the whole unknown.

Welcome rjewels! So the pain mgmt doc is the one that diagnosed you and they are sending you straight to a scalene block? Are you in a position to start with conservative therapy such as physical therapy and posture training? Or is your TOS pretty advanced and/or needing more intervention? I've done the conservative route and am now on course to get a scalene block in the next few weeks. An anesthesiologist will do the block. He explained it in that I will go to the an outpatient surgery center (have to adhere to not eating and drinking beforehand for a certain number of hours), I will be put under with general anesthesia, he will inject my scalenes on one side and an hour later I'll be awake. I forgot the name of the drug that he will inject but it's supposed to relax the muscles. Assuming it works, I should feel relief within a day or so. If it doesn't work, then it doesn't work. I'm bilateral. So he will inject the other side at a different time. Anyhow, if you've never been under general anesthesia, you'll feel a little out of it afterwards. You aren't supposed to drive for 24 hours or go to work after the procedure so plan on sitting at home all day and hanging out.

Anyhow, once I get the block, I'll post more. What exactly did the doctor diagnose you with? Did you have an MRI/MRA and/or any nerve testing done? There are a lot of folks on these boards who are a wealth of information who can help ease your mind a bit. You are not alone

[Jomar]

Have you found the sticky threads up above the TOS thread list?

To find more specific posts or threads about scalene blocks you can use the search tool- make sure to select the thoracic outlet forum for specific results.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/search.php

The block is mostly a testing procedure.
Some may get botox later on as a longer lasting treatment option.

[chroma]

Originally Posted by Jo*mar

Have you found the sticky threads up above the TOS thread list?

To find more specific posts or threads about scalene blocks you can use the search tool- make sure to select the thoracic outlet forum for specific results.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/search.php

The block is mostly a testing procedure.
Some may get botox later on as a longer lasting treatment option.

Is there any reason not to go straight to the botox? I ask because my symptoms wax and wane over the course of days. A few hours wouldn't be enough time for me to tell if my remaining TOS symptoms improve.

[(Broken Wings)]

Hi,

Don't stress too much over the injections. You're in good hands. They are professionals at this level of care.

I've had bilateral stallette ganglion injections in an outpt hospital setting, with gown, under light anesthesia. At that time, they didn't give me relief, actually made me a little worse for a few days.

I've had botox. Walked in, sat down, and let the doctor do his thing. no need to stress about that. I would get, like, two weeks relief. Botox should be used with caution. Scalene relief don't come easy, or often. I took what was available. Tried many things.

PT did help some with scalenes.

LED and infrared light therapy pads helped most.

There are gentle stretches I would do in the shower, on each side, that helped the tightness. Should be doing those now.

Many things will help. We just have to find the right thing for you.

Scalenes are tough to deal with.

Poor posture causes a lot of problems with scalenes. I use a long dressing mirror at the side of my workstation to police my posture. Boy, do I need to keep a check on my posture.

Also, I still have to keep my upper body fleece warm, even in the summertime. Helps tremendously. Amazing what a fleece blankie does for my scalenes and arms.

relaxation and breathing techniques are great, too...

Take care... just know you're not alone... I'll be okay...

[Sheri_TOS]

Julie - The scalene block is typically diagnostic. I've heard of some people getting relief for several weeks after an injection but I think the response depends on each person and the sort of medication used. My shots were all done in physician offices under EMG and ultrasound guidance. I've had scalene blocks and botox injections since 2004 and they've all been done in this setting with different doctors. Your doctor's office will tell you if you need to do anything to prepare for the procedure. I didn't need to do anything special for my shots. They even did one of my blocks when it wasn't scheduled as my symptoms were really stirred up.

[chroma]

Originally Posted by Sheri_TOS

Julie - The scalene block is typically diagnostic. I've heard of some people getting relief for several weeks after an injection but I think the response depends on each person and the sort of medication used. My shots were all done in physician offices under EMG and ultrasound guidance. I've had scalene blocks and botox injections since 2004 and they've all been done in this setting with different doctors. Your doctor's office will tell you if you need to do anything to prepare for the procedure. I didn't need to do anything special for my shots. They even did one of my blocks when it wasn't scheduled as my symptoms were really stirred up.

Hi Sheri_TOS, Can you share how much the botox injections $cost for out-of-pocket? If you know, that is.