[winic1]

I have scar tissue restricting both subclavian artery and vein, especially when I move my arm the wrong way (which is gradually becoming most ways). This came as a result of a broken collarbone (car accident) that did not heal and so was fixed with plate and screws 3-1/2 months after the accident. Few months later I noticed my arm/hand going off-color, and it has been downhill from there, now more than 2 years from the accident.

I make keloid scars like crazy. Inside and out. You should have seen the monstrosity my first c-section turned into--take a #2 pencil, color it that angry red color unhappy scars are, and glue it to your stomach. 2nd c-section, they spent 45 minutes cleaning up the internal scarring from the 1st.

On advise of a vascular surgeon, who said he would NOT recommend surgery because of significant risk to artery, vein, nerves, use of my arm, etc (said, scar tissue is tougher than healthy tissue, so if you tug on it, guess which rips first?). Recommended physical therapy to loosen and remodel things in there.

Got a great pt who has been trying gentle techniques to release things in there, but not making much progress, in fact she says, and I would agree, that I am still making new scar tissue inside there. (Outside scar continues to grow back despite 3 rounds of steroid injections by dermatologist.)

So...anyone know how to make internal scarring to stop?

If it does come to surgery (either repair or bypass the problem), how do I keep the scarring problem from coming back?

doctors in my little podunk corner of the universe are all clueless (even about TOS. even about most everything.)

I have vision problems, made worse and complicated by vertebro-basilar insufficiency from this TOS problem, so internet searching has become nearly impossible for me, especially technical documents, reading is now giving me migraines after a very very short time, so I cannot seem to find any clues to my problem myself. (put myself through college typing, so fingers still work, even if I have trouble reading it once I spit it all out.)

Or figure out where to go next, I am within range of New York City, Connecticut, and even Boston, but no longer drive and can't travel (train or bus) by myself, so I need to know the right place to go, I can't keep trying new places/doctors hoping to hit the right one.

Does anyone know anything on this problem?

[chroma]

Originally Posted by winic1

I have vision problems, made worse and complicated by vertebro-basilar insufficiency from this TOS problem, so internet searching has become nearly impossible for me, especially technical documents, reading is now giving me migraines after a very very short time, so I cannot seem to find any clues to my problem myself. (put myself through college typing, so fingers still work, even if I have trouble reading it once I spit it all out.)

Sorry to hear you are having a tough time. I don't know anything about scar tissue formation, but regarding your viewing problems, you should find out how to zoom in on your computer. For Mac, it's built in (Ctrl+Mouse Scroll Wheel) and the zoom just keeps going, like easily 10 X or more. I don't know if recent versions of Windows have that, but if not, you can probably get a program that does it. That might help you a lot.

[kellysf]

I had the surgery in January 2005. The surgeon wrapped the nerves in something that was supposed to prevent scarring. I also started PT almost immediately after surgery -- also to prevent scarring. But it happened any way and undid any benefit I might have had from the surgery. Now, as a result of scarring on my brachial plexus, I'm in worse shape.

I was told that one doesn't know if one's body produces scar tissue until one has the surgery. In your case, you already know that you scar easily.

Take care,
Kelly

[SD38]

Originally Posted by kellysf

I had the surgery in January 2005. The surgeon wrapped the nerves in something that was supposed to prevent scarring. I also started PT almost immediately after surgery -- also to prevent scarring. But it happened any way and undid any benefit I might have had from the surgery. Now, as a result of scarring on my brachial plexus, I'm in worse shape.

I was told that one doesn't know if one's body produces scar tissue until one has the surgery. In your case, you already know that you scar easily.

Take care,
Kelly

I think it all comes down to listening to your body at the end of the day..... if you hurt than you are stressing your body/skin tissue. Take it easy!!!!!!! Be kind to yourself and don't push too hard!
I'm also worried about what is going on inside my body, re: scar tissue formation, I try to pay good attention to what my muscles tell me. I now move at a much gentler pace and attend to my needs more, such as, extra relaxation time, self- massages, and nice soothing hot baths. Having said that it is all so easy to get caught up in the rat race, and run around to please others. I have to remind myself that my body has gone through very traumatic surgery and that it needs to be treated kindly..... nothing is that important so that it should cause you pain. The exception to the rule is.... child birth
Kelly, how do you cope with the pain? Are you on meds or holistic methods????
I'm trying so hard to remain med free but some days are just so damn tough! I feel for you re: scar tissue probs. Do you have regular massages to help relax the area?
Keep strong! xx

[kellysf]

Unfortunately, I rely on pain medication to get by. I was very anti-medication early on; even after surgery I really tried to avoid/limit it. It's not good not to treat pain, though. It just leads to more guarding.

I've tried acupuncture, Feldenkrais, meditation, yoga, Chi Gong, biofeedback. The only thing that has helped is abdominal breathing.

Kelly

[SD38]

Originally Posted by kellysf

Unfortunately, I rely on pain medication to get by. I was very anti-medication early on; even after surgery I really tried to avoid/limit it. It's not good not to treat pain, though. It just leads to more guarding.

I've tried acupuncture, Feldenkrais, meditation, yoga, Chi Gong, biofeedback. The only thing that has helped is abdominal breathing.

Kelly

Yes, I agree.The Belly breathing helps me too.

[tammy63]

Originally Posted by winic1

I have scar tissue restricting both subclavian artery and vein, especially when I move my arm the wrong way (which is gradually becoming most ways). This came as a result of a broken collarbone (car accident) that did not heal and so was fixed with plate and screws 3-1/2 months after the accident. Few months later I noticed my arm/hand going off-color, and it has been downhill from there, now more than 2 years from the accident.

I make keloid scars like crazy. Inside and out. You should have seen the monstrosity my first c-section turned into--take a #2 pencil, color it that angry red color unhappy scars are, and glue it to your stomach. 2nd c-section, they spent 45 minutes cleaning up the internal scarring from the 1st.

On advise of a vascular surgeon, who said he would NOT recommend surgery because of significant risk to artery, vein, nerves, use of my arm, etc (said, scar tissue is tougher than healthy tissue, so if you tug on it, guess which rips first?). Recommended physical therapy to loosen and remodel things in there.

Got a great pt who has been trying gentle techniques to release things in there, but not making much progress, in fact she says, and I would agree, that I am still making new scar tissue inside there. (Outside scar continues to grow back despite 3 rounds of steroid injections by dermatologist.)

So...anyone know how to make internal scarring to stop?

If it does come to surgery (either repair or bypass the problem), how do I keep the scarring problem from coming back?

doctors in my little podunk corner of the universe are all clueless (even about TOS. even about most everything.)

I have vision problems, made worse and complicated by vertebro-basilar insufficiency from this TOS problem, so internet searching has become nearly impossible for me, especially technical documents, reading is now giving me migraines after a very very short time, so I cannot seem to find any clues to my problem myself. (put myself through college typing, so fingers still work, even if I have trouble reading it once I spit it all out.)

Or figure out where to go next, I am within range of New York City, Connecticut, and even Boston, but no longer drive and can't travel (train or bus) by myself, so I need to know the right place to go, I can't keep trying new places/doctors hoping to hit the right one.

Does anyone know anything on this problem?

This is my first time on a chat room, but I am trying to find answers to the scar tissue issues too. I've had several surgeries in my pelvic/ab/rectal area. I also have degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis in my low back. Each surgery that was suppose to help only created more scar tissue and adhesions. I now have knots forming in my groin area and around my incision sites. I've seen so many drs it's mind numbing. Now they won't go back in and I am left to find my own answers. One thing that I have found that is helping is Thai Massage and cupping. A lot of stretching, but I still have pain every day. I also have problems with nausea and vomiting that I have medicine for. This has changed my life and now that the drs got me in this mess, they can't get me out. How do you guys deal with the pain, pulling and tightness as the scar tissue gets worse. I have tried PT, shots, pain meds, muscle relaxers. It just seems to slowly get worse.

[Limoges]

For what it's worth, I've been advised that there is no way to prevent scar tissue from forming. It's what the body does in reaction to a wound.