I'm 6 weeks post-op cervical and first rib resection and scalenectomy. I have (had) bilateral cervical ribs with 100% arterial compression on the right side when my arm was elevated. My cervical rib was completly fused with my first rib, surgery was pretty rough. I'm getting pretty tired of it at this point, my arm pit is still completly numb and the back od my arm feels like its on fire when touched, anyone have this nerve damage numbness post-op? I am really hoping this goes away

I had the top of the arm on fire thing after each surgery, the first went after a while, this time I'm 9 days on, the fire is there. It is awful but it does pass. Not sure what caused it, I figured it was some nerve hyper sensitivity.
The numbness should decrease after 12 months or so according to my cons. Not back to normal as that nerve has been cut, but you will get some feeling back. A numb armpit is better than more chronic nerve pain.
The journey is a rough one, for some more than others. I've had a pretty hard time of it.
Hang on in there

5 months post op now and the front of my shoulder feels quite numb still. Its a strange sensation when I scratch it as I can't actually feel it too much but at the same time my skin very close to the region is over sensitive and the slightest touch feels like it's being rubbed with wire wool. I've kind of gotten used to it however and the intensity has settled down. I'm sure yours will settle too aftertime, try to relax and gently massage the area with oil to soothe.

Nicole, these sx can take a while to resolve, different for everybody. My burning armpits took about 4-5 years to resolve - and sometimes they act up again. Ice is my very good friend! I know you are tired of dealing with all this, but keep telling yourself that the worst is over and it will get easier as time goes by.

Be sure not to lose your range of motion - do easy stretching of the upper thoracic, shoulder, arm and neck. Easy does it!

Anne

1.How was it right after surgery? Day of? The first couple days?

a.) right after surgery was pretty groggy and with the anesthesia that was given I couldn't feel the pain but the incision areas (subclavicular rib resection (2 incisions about 8cm each)were very numb
b.) had surgery at 2pm so was asleep most of the first day
c.) The first couple of days was very difficult. First night was spent in the ICU for close monitoring. I was given morphine as needed which on that first day was 3-4 hours. Moving at that point was very difficult but with the help of one fantastic nurse was able to sit up on the first night. Was moved to a regular room the next afternoon. During the time that I was switching rooms the took me on my rolling bed to get X-rays. Moving that day was difficult but I was determined to sit in an upright position during the times that I was not sleeping. That was also the day that I switched over to oxys. Stayed an additional night in a regular room and was discharged the following morning at 11am after my vascular surgeon, Dr. Akers of Premier surgical associates, had visited. I was so ready to go home that day and be in the comfort of my family that I had changed by myself out of night clothes and into frumpy casual clothing before the doctor had came to visit.

2.What was it was like when you left the hospital?

My husband who was at home taking care of the girls and visiting while the older was at school came to pick me up. The discharge process can take some time and if you are alone for the majority of the hospital stay you will need to start well in advance to get everything you need packed up.
The drive home can be semi difficult. You will want the path with the least amount of turns. Bring pillows.

3.What was it like getting around?

At first it was difficult but the more you move and try to sit up the easier it is. Have a table or cart with things that you frequently need. I'm on week 3 now (tomorrow) and it is still very handy to have. Mine is stocked with books, drinks, personal grooming items, medications, ribbon (okay I'm crafty).

4.What did you need help with? ie. how steady were you, how well could you take care of yourself? Help going to the bathroom? Showering/bathing?

At first things were still difficult and I welcomed a loving arm helping me to get up from place to place.
After the first night in the ICU they removed a catheter and so I was able to get up and go to the bathroom on my own. I was able to take a shower on the 4th day after surgery. A wonderful tip that I picked up from here are the Walgreens bathing wipes that were refreshing enough to not feel as though I hadn't bathed. I preferred showering because I could sit down in the tub let the water rain down and wash my hair/body with my good arm(surgery on left side).
What I did need help at first with was lifting items. I did not use my left arm at all for the first 5 days and after that being on the 3rd week nothing more than 5lbs and that is pushing it. *I'm a lefty who must have morning coffee and so I've learned to train my right arm to do a lot of the things that I feel my left side just isn't conditioned enough to do yet. (such as filling the coffee machine)

5.Did you need help with the incision at all? Anyone just have incisions above and below the collarbone?

I took my dressings off on the day after I came home. I have been since using vitamin E capsules broken open on my incision. For the first week and a half I did not want my incision to get wet and still wanted it to be protected and so I would put waterproof bandaid dressings (the see through tape looking kind- also purchased at Walgreens drug store). You cant wear it with the vitamin E and so I alternated sometimes leaving the showering strips on for 2 days. They are wonderful.

6.How did you manage pain? Did you need ice a lot?

When I left the hospital I was taking my Oxys about 4-5 hours apart and it would cause me to wake up. I did use ice packs at night to help on my worst pain spots and to stay asleep longer. I gradually increased the time in between my doses and just used them at night to try and get better quality rest. I came off them right before my 2nd week. (also have lowered the med that the doctors have had me on for the past 2-3 years for pain-no more ibuprofen or Tramadol and have decreased levels of cymbalta and lyrica)

7.What was it like the first couple of days? Challenging.

8.The first week? The hardest thing was getting used to doing things slow..is not in my nature.

9.The second week? On the 8th day after surgery I tested the waters out to a craft store to try and find things to keep me busy during recovery. I learned that day what pushing too fast means. I was browsing around the store for around 2 hours and while I only seemed tired and achy when I got home the following day was pure torture. I got a sharp pain that caused me to hurt every time I moved in my trapezius muscle. After 2 days in bed regretting what I had done I slowly started to feel better. (ice was what got me through it...on the direct ache spot and above my incisions).

10.a month post op? Not quite there yet. Had surgery on Sept 10th and today is the 30th.

11.two months post op? etc.? I'll let you know.

12.How did you deal with meals, dishes, laundry, shopping? Did you use public transportation?

I am lucky to have a wonderful husband that cooks almost every night, but I also did alot of quick meal shopping at the grocery store right before the surgery. I am able to make most things now without any problems. I can feel that I am pushing myself when mixing or cutting things most....more from the repetitive motion than anything. Still trying to take things easy and I am glad I have a dishwasher/and or wonderful spouse who scrubs the greasy ones.
Laundry is something I have to pace myself on not to tire myself out to easily. I have started a game since our machines are within out kitchen vicinity that I fold only a few things when I go by and when I have my piles I put them up only a room at a time.
Shopping is something that I enjoy all too much. I'm a bargain girl and am used to taking my time in stores scouring for the deal. That is what got me in trouble on the 8th day and I still have to watch myself with. I am now at the point where I am able to go out in about 2-3 hour periods without hurting too much. This is my biggest difficulty.


13.How active were you, ie. walking around?

The surgery has helped me feel wonderful...and I have to pace myself which is so very hard. If I am sitting or standing for long periods at this point I become sore and achy to the point that it is difficult to fall asleep. I have until Oct 17 to try and get to a point to where I am able to sit for long periods (have a sit down office job and am considering starting back at 30 hours at first which is the minimum my job allows and will allow me to keep my health insurance. My spouse is a stay at home dad to our 2 girls ages 2 and 8. I have enough FMLA left to make it until Nov 25th with it renewing in April.

14.What kind of tools did you use to make it easier for yourself? Any tips/suggestions?

1.) The button to adjust the bed was my best friend and what helped me to move around so quickly.
2.) Make sure you get a pain med dose before you go home because pharmacies are slow and you will want to just lay down once you get home. (save the extra trip out for your recovery helper)
3.) First few days slept on a comfy couch at a elevated position sleeping on my back with a pillow under my left arm as well.
4.) Take it slow. See above. I would have been better than I am now if I had. Learning from my mistake and trying to take it easy.
5.) Scott Sonnon's youtube joint mobility exercises have prevented me from having to return to physical therapy and slowly ease back into using the muscles.
6.) Have a wonderful support team.
7.) If you are used to doing most thing in your household try to prep well in advance so that it is less on you in those first few days. Example: I prepped school outfits for our 8 year old enough for the first 2 weeks (she has different classes such as art, gym, etc that she likes to dress differently for), prepaid the next 2 weeks of bills so I didn't have that on top of the hospitals, grocery quick meal (try to stay away from things that involve a fork or knife for the first week).
8.) Hot showers on tired muscles are wonderful.


Hope this helps someone. This thread was what helped me feel confident going through with surgery. I am not 100% better yet but that is what I am gear and working towards. The pain in my upper neck and back which was the worst thing and what was causing me the worse agony is gone. I still get these spots and numbness in that arm when I over exert myself. Its a slow process recovering and though it is difficult taking it slow I know that it is what will and does make me feel better. I just need to allow myself to heal. Thank you to this community that has shared their issues and experience. Before I found the forum I felt very scared and alone in my pain.

Amber

Hi Antikamars,
can you please share who you had surgery with, the type of TOS you had, and surgical approach? Thanks

TOStrojan, I live in Tennessee and had my surgery with Dr. Donald L Akers of Premier Surgical Associates in Knoxville. I had my surgery by anterior supraclavicular approach on my left side removing the first rib and scalenes with some of the scar tissue that had built up. I was diagnosed with true neurogenic TOS and was given the option for the surgery after going through physical therapy. My TOS was developed from several possible causes. Had a car accident in 2007 where clavicle was fractured, re injury at job where was manager of pizza place for 5 years (repetitive), pregnancy that set of the TOS in 2009 and job with no ergonomics for last 4 years.

Amber

not sure if this is any help but i have just had a rib removal experience. october 2012 i had eight ribs removed and about 1/3 of my sternum to correct an injury. i now know the meaning of ouch, i thought i already did with my last four surgeries to try and repair a fractured dislocated sternum but i was wrong! ribs 8,9,10 and 11 were removed on both sides. i went in for exploratory surgery with the possibility of removing 1 or 2 ribs and maybe the lower part of my sternum and awoke 8 hours later moaning. i was in the hospitol for 5 days. had a moraphine pump set up and other meds but it was excruciating. after i left the hospitol i chose to not take pain meds, not because it didn't hurt but because i don't like thier effects. i was very sore for the first few months as i am still now. laying down is a pipe dream i can only assume i will sleep in a recliner the rest of my life. outside of bathing and some light cooking and a little driving someone else has to do the rest. i am still phenominally numb around my areas of surgery. it is very slowly going away. my dr says it will not go away completely, time will tell. i have also just received a copy of a letter sent from my dr to the insurance company informing them that i likely won't be returning to work. if you combine the physical pain and disability and the games with workers comp together i would have to rate this a less than pleasurable experience.

I had the hand tingling after the surgery. It is normal, I think. My hand was useless and swollen too. 4 months out and it is about completely gone. It does improve a bit each day, so don't worry, it won't stay like that forever!

Wth??

What happened to you?