My story starts back in March. Was running a lot, doing abdominal floor work exercises and BAM! I wake up one day and can't turn my head to the right side. I listened to my husband and went to a chiropractorma few days later. Been in pain EVERY day since then! I'm not laying blame, just stating the facts. My family doc ordered neck xray. Looked good. Diagnosis-upper trapezius strain. Had 11 PT visits and felt better. A few months later, I start to exercise and play volleyball again and BAM! I feel like crap again. Except for the symptoms are on the left side. My neck stays in constant spasm, shoulder pain, can't reach behind me, hand turns white as a ghost and feels like ice. This has been since September. Went back to my family doc in Oct, he ran an MRI...it came back perfect. Sent me to a pain mgmt doc/physiotrist. He says it's TOS and the no pulse during certain movements. Since this has been going on so long, I had him to refer me to Dr Thompson in St Louis. Its over 3 hrs away! I have an appt with him, a pain mgmt doc, and a PT all in the same day! I'm trying to stay positive. I teach little ones, have kids of my own, and we are very active people. This sit and do nothing like isn't for me!

I just want to feel like I used to and have a quality of life that was like before. I appreciate all comments. They help to ease my nerves. If anyone has experience with Dr Thompson, feel free to share. I'm excited about seeing such a great doc with expertise.

Julie

I've scheduled my scalene block for 11/23. I will be under twilight sedation. I'll post again after the procedure.

-- Whiteness and coldness is arterial TOS (ATOS). I have experience with this and on the same side as well.

-- The first thing that ever helped me was elevating my shoulder girdle to make more room in the thoracic area. My hand actually warms up with I do this.

So if I'm watching TV, I have my arm on two pillows. At my computer desk, I have increased the height of the arm wrests with folded towels. When I drive the arm goes on the window sill. When I shop, I push a cart with raises my arm up. When I walk, I prop the arm in a pocket.

It's not really about the arm. It's about the shoulder girdle and getting the collar bone away from the first rib.

Keep that area open.

-- Regarding exercise, forget about arm curls, push ups, etc. From now on, the only exercise you care about is a therapeutic exercise. That would be "3 Minutes / Weisberg", Egoscue or Sharon Butler.

-- Diazepam can relieve muscle spasms which is directly helpful and also augments any PT and therapeutic exercises. You could use it for a period of time until you improve.

-- See if you can find a good chiro or PT who can work that first rib down. Make sure the PT knows that TOS requires circulation and alignment, rather than traditional strengthening. Also, chiros vary immensely in their skill level and approach. I tried 3 before I found the one.

-- TOS is serious business and people sometimes become utterly disabled from it. Start doing the right things sooner rather than later. Also, accept that you are different now. You may have to give up volleyball permanently, for example.


Good luck!