Dr. Brown did a physical exam: him pushing on certain points of my arm and neck to see the reaction in my fingers. He started with my hand, my wrist, my elbow, my underarm my neck, etc. All points made my fingers immediately numb and was very painful. Had me hold my hands above my head until my fingers went numb and he checked me for 'winging'. He did not order any new tests...I brought him an MRI of my Brachial Plexus, elbow, C-spine, along with a Brachial Plexus MR neurography. I also had my EMG/NCS study.

I do have a follow up with him in a few weeks to answer all additional questions. As for his reputation, I asked around the hospital and some of his other colleagues who all spoke highly of him. I also researched him where he worked previously, watched some Medscape programs of him teaching, and my stepfather is a neurologist who also said he is good. I do not know how many scalenectomies he has done, that is one of my questions on the list for my next appt. The other docs I have seen are Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Alvarez, Dr. Filler, and another Doc in Murrieta. All have been either neurologists or neurosurgeons. I think I am going to go see one more doc my step father recommends before fully committing to surgery.

I was following your thread. I am anxious to know what you decided to do after all the different Doctor visits? Whom did you choose? Did you have surgery?

Who was the doc in Murrieta and did you like him/her? I was in Los Angeles, but have moved to Temecula.

Honestly, every doctor that I have seen in Murrieta/Temecula have been unsatisfactory. Each of them told me there was nothing wrong with me, misdiagnosed me or threw there hands up in the air saying there was nothing more they could do for me.

Unfortunately, through all of this I have noticed that quality care for something like this, you have to travel to either LA or San Diego.

Thanks for the response. Are there any chiro or massage places you like in the Murrieta or Temecula area?

For Chiro I really liked Dr. Greenwood on Cherry St. and a Dr. Donovan on Kalmia

For Massage I liked Marcy at the Rehab group. She is very gentle, knowledgeable and always gave me relief.

Hope this helps.

Are there many PT clinics or any bodyworker places/ therapists nearby?
Sometimes the good PT places know of good doctors for various issues, that might be another way to find someone locally.

You meant Donohoe, right?
http://www.donohoechiropractic.com/

And I'm adding "Murrieta / Temecula" to this post for future searchers.

If your insurance covers Brown then it should cover Bandyk - http://heartcenter.ucsd.edu/vascular/Pages/default.aspx

Another surgical opinion can't hurt. There is also Niren Angle (my doc) - www.niren-angle.com

Have you had your follow up yet? How did it go? Are you still on track for surgery the 1st week of June?

I forgot to ask Dr. Angle about this. But it does seem that there is a Thoracic Surgeon associated with Dr. Brown's team. http://in.ucsd.edu/2page.php?id=in2b

Thoracic Surgery: Eugene Golts