No, I haven't consulted the Vascular Docs because my issues are solely neurogenic, thankfully. The other doc I saw was an Andrew Nguyen, who was fantastic but doesn't deal with peripheral nerves, he is more of a spinal tumor doc. Had to see him to get referred to Dr. Justin Brown (hoops for the insurance). A few more days till my appt. Wish me luck!

Good luck,

Have there been any improvements or changes to your symptoms?

Unfortunately I haven't had any improvements for quite sometime. I believe after about 4 months was when I noticed the plateau and nothing getting better. I then learned what my triggers are and the signs of when I need to stop doing what I am doing. Before, I would ignore these things hoping, I guess, that it would just heal itself, or that it would go away if I pretended it didn't exist, (I'm a bit stubborn) but then paid for it for days after. Some days are better than others and some are just different than others pain wise.

It has been very difficult for me mentally and physically. My entire life I have always been VERY active: soccer, running, hiking, swimming, you name it I did it. Then, to one day not be able to do any of it anymore because somebody was drunk driving and hit me. It has been quite an adjustment and am just ready to, hopefully, get some relief. Tomorrow is the day~!

Let me start with the fact that Dr. Brown is the second surgeon I have seen. I liked him. I found him very informative, knowledgeable and likeable. His office was very punctual, I waited less than ten minutes to be taken into the room and once in waited maybe 5 minutes for the PA to come in and take my history. I had a ton of information to give which is sometimes hard because I find myself forgetting some detail and found the PA getting lost in the details. Once my history was done Dr. Brown came in and the PA and I filled him in with all the pertinent information. Dr. Brown did his exam and diagnosed me with TOS. He recommended surgery because PT wasn't successful along with all the other steps I have been through. He will do a scalenectomy and he thoroughly explained to me with pictures what he will do, how he will do it, and what the outcome will be. He also told me the dangers of surgery, which scared the hell out of me, but if this will make me close to normal again I am all for it. This seems to be a very routine surgery for him. I also watched his hands the entire visit and they are very steady. Another thing was his poor opinion of Dr. Filler. And I quote "it is amazing how Dr. Filler sees things nobody else can see."

What I did not like:
I felt a bit rushed, but am unsure if it was from being overwhelmed by all the information. Also, that after giving my history, him never seeing me before, he jumped straight to surgery. Also, I feel like he didn't really look at the neurography films I brought him. He stated he didn't see anything completely obvious, but that is usually the case with TOS. He kept my disk and said he was going to have his radiologist look at it with him.

Overall, I feel there will never be a perfect surgeon, that I will find a fault somewhere with everyone. My insurance covers him so he has to be the guy... Dr. Brown has a great reputation and his staff speaks very highly of him. I have researched him and have found very minimal reviews about him, but they were all good. My theory on that is...more often than not it is the unhappy who write reviews to complain. I will be doing the surgery the first week of June....

I know this is kind of all over the place, my apologies, I am still processing all the info and the experience.

What tests did Dr. Brown do when he examined you? Is he ordering any new testing? What testing had you already had done?
Who else have you seen?

My advice is to schedule as many follow-up visits as you need to get all of your questions answered and feel comfortable. The better you and your surgeon get to know each other the better.

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.

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?

Hi , I agree with Marc, try to get all of your questions answered so you feel comfortable. I am curious also who else you have seen and what are dr Browns reasons for scalenectomy only. Also you said he has a great reputation.I am wondering where you heard that. I am also interested in seeing him, but I couldnt find much information on him.How many scalenctomies has he done?

Dr. F does not have a good reputation. My Dr.(Dr. J) also disbelieved Dr. F's diagnosis even though it sounded good to me.and told me "there is a reason Dr. F is no longer at UCLA". I was also turned off by the reviews , sales pitch and price!! Dr. J says the MR neurography is out of date and the Ultrasound guided injecitons is much more state of the art. The literature supports this also.