I have been dealing with the symptoms ever since I fell 17 feet off a roof back in 2006. The numb in my right arm and weakness has gotten worse over time. Well In 2008 I went to a Neurosurgeon and he said that it was ulnar Nerve Entrapment, so I had the surgery to release the sheath around the nerve. Well No relief, so I keep going to the Dr's Neurologist,Neurosurgeon, and after many test and visits I have been told I TOS and I also Have a Cervical Rib in the right side.

Well I went To a Cardiovascular Surgeon that is One of only 7 i found in the state that deals with this cervical rib issue.

Well This was on Monday and he said he wants me to do Physical therapy. Well Monday Night I wake up and my right arm is Numb, Pain in my neck and right side of my upper chest.

So I go to PT today and as she is doing my assessment, she has me put my right arm above my head and turn my head to the left, and she said as soon as I turned my head I lost my pulse.

So I call this surgeon back, who said if it gets worse call him. Well he calls me back a little while ago and politely tells me there is nothing he can do and just keep going to PT.

Well I called around a few different cardiovascular surgeons and they all said to go to the above mentioned Dr or One at The University of Michigan(he is know for his surgery), well I'm on disability so I have medicare and medicaid, and they don't take it.

I have been dealing with other injuries and getting treated with this insurance is like finding a Million Dollars laying in the middle of the road. As long as its office visits or test they take me all day long but getting surgery is not happening.

The scary thing is, this TOS now that they have pinpointed it has been going on since 2007 and only been getting worse.

So does anyone know if there are other dr's(what field) that Remove Cervical Rib's

Thanks for letting me rant on a new Board

Rich

Dont know exactly where you are from, assume michigan, but i had mine done at the cleveland clinic by dr daniel clair. he did a 1st rib resection, i dont have cervical ribs but did have arterial compression. good luck, i know how aggravating this tos can be.

[I am so sorry you have this problem. The injury and TOS I know are hard to deal with. I am glad you found Neuro Talk. There will be others along to help you with direction in dealing with this. I do have a suggestion. I received a cervical fussion because I went through a hospital advocasy person. She put me in touch with a physician who would greatly lower the cost. I didn't have health insurance at all. Now I have medicare/medicaid too, and you are right, there are doctors who will not see you with that condition and be willing to take you on as a patient. The Gov. is not giving them enough in payments to take your case. I would go to the hospital advocasy person, at the best facility you can find. Ask for help, and tell them of your situation. They may be able to help you find a doctor willing to accept you as a patient. Then write him a letter and actually ask him for help. NONE of my doctors excepts medicaid, therefor I actually owe 20% of my costs through medicare. NONE of my doctors are requiring me to pay the 20%. I told them the truth about my circumstances and they dropped this issue and still kept me on as a patient. My pain specialist actually gave me infussions until I received medicare. Help is out there, even with the medical conditions you have. You just have to be persistant, and be willing to ask for the help. I really hope you find that special physician willing to do for you, what can be done to make your life better. I really wish you all the best. ginnie

Thanks for the Welcome and Advice. Since I am one to not sit around and wait, I called my insurance company and told them that I needed to see a Out-of network dr and they said it wont be a problem(just need the dr to call and get pre auth.

So I called The University Of Michigan and they have ONE Dr that treats this. It was great to speak to someone that knew what I was talking about, when I was giving all my info.

I have to have some reports faxed over to him, and then they said they will make the appointment but she said that from what I was describing, the Dr will want to see me sooner then later.

I called 3 other dr's (thoracic) today and they all said call U of M.

This is just one of many issues I have from My fall, but this one is by far the scariest.

I will be reading and posting on this site a lot, because it is nice to speak to people that can relate to what you are going thru.

Thanks and God Bless

Rich

Most people who have the surgery have it done by a Vascular Surgeon. Is it Dr. Criado you are seeing at U ofM? Dr. William Brown has also been mentioned a few times with positive reviews on this site.:


O. William Brown, MD
31700 Telegraph #140
Bingham Farms, MI 48025
Phone: 248-433-0881
Fax: 248-433-1628

Yes Dr O. William Brown is the dr that i was referring to when I said

"Well I went To a Cardiovascular Surgeon that is One of only 7 i found in the state that deals with this cervical rib issue.

Well This was on Monday and he said he wants me to do Physical therapy. Well Monday Night I wake up and my right arm is Numb, Pain in my neck and right side of my upper chest.

So I go to PT today and as she is doing my assessment, she has me put my right arm above my head and turn my head to the left, and she said as soon as I turned my head I lost my pulse.

So I call this surgeon back, who said if it gets worse call him. Well he calls me back a little while ago and politely tells me there is nothing he can do and just keep going to PT."


So I m going to see Dr. Criado (hopefully), I faxed over all the paper work and he is going to review it and set up a appointment. It was nice to speak to some one who was aware of what I was talking about and showed concern when I told her my symptoms

Please do your home work and ask away questions with the surgeon before any cutting. Be wary of the promises and make sure every thing is written down. We are getting so many patients who had surgery and the surgeon is releasing them too soon and or telling them they are an unusal case and I cant help you. They arent recieving post surgical protocol or in worse shape with no where to turn to.

It's difficult to know what the surgeon's success rate is but make sure he is highly trained and has an abundance of success, has a post surgical protocol of physical therapy, swimming, medication regimne, etc.

Hi Rich, I really am glad you are getting the help you need. We all need each other here, no doubt about that in my mind. I keep coming back, as I have to learn to deal with my medical horror like most of us have to. None of it is easy.. Glad you found us. I don't think I will ever be leaving this forum, as it gives me such a boost. ginnie

Well I go in for my cat scan The 23rd of Feb and then i go back on the 7th to have the 2 ultra sounds and meet the dr.

I know its ironic but in the past 3 weeks my syptoms have went from bad to I dont know which way to sit,hold my arm,lay,Etc.

I have been dealing with the Nerve and numbness for years but this lose of blood flow is getting me to the "I'm worried" part.

My Physical Therapist even told me that from what I am describing it is getting worse and the cramps i am having in my arm, are a sign that not enough blood is getting to my arm, but as soon as I move my arm the right way it goes away.

So I know walk around like a zombie, letting my arm hang.

Never been scared of a surgery or a injury but this one has me there.

I told My Therapist that if I loose my arm because of this I am ok, as Long as I don't stroke out or die. I told her I can get a fake arm and put stickers on it

Just trying to keep my spirits up

Never Give Up!

Rich

Hi Rich,

I'm with you on this one...my left arm/hand have atrophied significantly, and my right side is certainly going downhill as well. I have lost more than two thirds of my strength on my left side, and frequently lose circulation in my upper extremities. The loss of circulation used to only occur in raised positions, but now I notice I can't hold a book up, run for extended periods of time, open jars or bottles, etc.

I'm getting surgery up in Boston at the end of this month...hoping and praying the operation gets me back to feeling like I'm actually 24 years old.