I'm curious if anyone has tried fasting or has any thoughts on how fasting could impact TOS?

Or maybe dieting rather than fasting? Could losing X pounds reduce compression of blood vessels and nerves because of less fat and muscle?

Just an idea.

And I realize it's not feasible for some (I'm looking at you @mspennyskinny).

If you've tried it, or have thoughts on it, please share.

lololol

i have thought..

what if someone just lay in bed for six months, stretched and stuff in bed, and never lifted their head and their neck became emaciated. but you would have to figure out a way to exercise your core muscles. like everything but your neck. maybe the few times you lifted your head it would be fully supported with a brace. but i think youd have to do chin tucks. anyways. its a scary idea

fasting can be good for some neurological disorders, supposedly but i wouldn't count on it for tos.

Damn..... you have just mentioned what I have been considering for some time. In the past year or so, due to less physical activity I have put on well over a stone ( ok, a stone and half) in weight...... and feel alot heavier and sluggish. Also beefed up and bulky on my top...... You know ladies ( pert and tidy to pendulous and bothersome :eek )
I too have been wondering if it has added to compression?? I think that it is a very valid thought/theory.
Damn, damn, damn...... No excuse now, time to shift the extra pounds!
I will start on Monday..... I still have a big roast dinner to get through today first.

This is my current problem too! I threw my back out a year ago and since, whenever I try anything other than walking to burn calories, my back 'threatens me' and my TOS flares up. I have gained 10lbs since my last checkup a year ago. For me, weight control IS pain control. Carrying less weight on my chest makes it possible to wear a bra for 6hrs or more. With the weight on, even a larger bra size doesn't protect the long thoracic nerve from irritation, which makes me nauseous, puffy arms and hands and makes me feel like I'm suffocating.

Walking. That's all I can do. Walking in the woods is better for me than on cement. Softer contact, rough terrain works more muscles. No percussive walking!! Don't pound the ground with your legs.

I have fasted for 4 days for colonoscopy (can't tolerate the solution they make you drink). Didn't affect my TOS at all!

I have been wondering if there is a connection between weight and TOS, too. It would make sense to me that muscle bulk on the upper extremities might be a contributing factor to TOS, but I wonder if excess lbs could play a role.

I'm 5'1", about 105 lbs, so I don't have too much weight to lose, but I am curious on the issue.

According to this Mayo Clinic website, losing weight can relieve pressure on your shoulders muscles. According to the the American Academy of Orthopeodic Surgeons website, extra pounds can stress the muscles that support one's collarbone.

our brains are too big, we just need to slice off a chunk and relieve neck pressure

I'd be curious to know what the avg body fat percentage is for those with tos. While many variables contribute to the condition, I could see increased weight and loss of strength leading to increased postural problems.

KY

I can tell you that I always had good posture and good body weight until I got this damn TOS. I use to get compliments all the time on my posture. Two years ago I had my body measured at 11%. I am a male at 6ft tall and 180lbs. I use to workout all the time and have not been able to since April 2011. I have lost my muscle tone and gained 5lbs. I am sure I lost muscle weight and gained fat weight. Muscle weighs more than fat. Don't even want to see my body fat percentage now.

i went from 78kg back to 70kg and the only thing that changed was the fact that i looked like a twig with no muscle.. TOS symtpoms remained the same..

All the physios and stuff say it can be corrected over time, reality is it really cant be.. physio appointments, pain killers and muscle relaxants until i drop .. or hopefully they can come up with some awesome new technology that can help us, but i doubt that too.

My TOS was strictly caused by bi-lateral c-ribs, fiberous bands and an extra scalene. All things I consider 'birth defects' or 'genetic anomalies'.

My weight was always proportonate to my height - I used to do aerobics, nautilus weights, snow ski and dance my ***** off! yep, those were the days, my friends. My weight didn't start creeping up until (early) menopause and simultaneously my TOS became aparent, starting with painful elbows when lifting the slightest weight. That's when I stopped going to the gym.