[SIZE="5"]Dear Neurotalk friends,

I thought it might be of some value to tell the newbies how I came to use this sight.

First off, being in the biz so to speak, (let's not go into that long story, ok?) Anyways, I recognized my painful symptoms from my thumb, right hand, forearm, elbow, shoulder, top of shoulder and neck and horrid pain in my head to be work place injury.

I immediately filed my claim form. I suggest your search and find everything I've written because it all helped me - not an ego thing, just why do the work twice?

Get yourself some free attorney consults and ask them if they have had ANY TOS patients because it takes YEARS to get your benefits EVEN WHEN you have been admitted by all of their docs.

So, using my inside knowledge - joke here - I chose my area's best hand surgeon.

I went dutifully for a year, working on and on with the long hours and the bad ergonomics. Oh, my doc said "get her an ergonomic" but the insurance and my attorney did nothing. Now, I don't accept that. I tell the doc what my problem is, and I ask to see his report after he concludes it. If the insurance doesn't work right away, then I certify my attorney that it is malpractice not to act. (In California they has Utilization Reviews - again, go to your local attorneys and find out the system, or read a couple of books but you still and I am adamant on this - you need an attorney.

The if you're like me, you're scared to lose your job. I should have been scared to lose my life! My family! Those are the things I've lost!

You need a loved one to help you, as there are times when I am totally bedridden, have doctors tell me it's all in my head, lie, and my partner has been everything for me.

But here's the funniest thing of all:

I asked my attorney, "do you think I could have neurogenic thoracic syndrome?" and he laughed and said, "well, do you think so?" I was furious inside, but I said "I don't think I should be the one diagnozing myself!!!"

So I went home crying, and I put my symptoms in the computer, and guess what can up...that's right TOS. Since then, I've developed RSD (or CRPS) and diabetes from bedrest and loss of condition, and an intractable pain syndrome.

Our doctors list are pretty good - but neighther docs nor TOSers come in the same shapes and sizes.

It's called a "syndrome" because that is a bag of symptoms, and there is NO definitive test, as well as the fact that the injury or illness takes different forms and pain tracts.

Here, we have "Tos 5 sympoms"
"All symptoms that you have - since we all differ, but we still have subgrousps.

It helps to talk about symptoms and surgeries and doctors.

But it is a good idea to sit down at the WCAB (work compensation appeals board) i think is still what they call them, and spend a morning in the applicants sitting room and see which attorney is really flying high, had a ton of cases, and most of all, TALKs to his client.

Keep going.

Am I understanding that the only way a person gets this TOS is to work? It is an injury sickness?

That seems to be the most common, but I know of at least two other scenarios:

-- Some young people in their teens get TOS, possibly from anatomy (such as cervical ribs) or posture or repetition in sports or injury, or some combo thereof. One guy developed it before he was finished growing and by the time it was diagnosed and corrected, he had finished growing. Consequently, one of his hands is smaller than the other. He posted on youtube about it.

-- Injuries, such as a broken collar bone, can leave someone with compression in the thoracic area.

There may be other causes. That's just off the top of my head.

Thanks for this Tam, good for newbies to read. I suggest if you are new to TOS, you search on "all posts" of members like Tshadow, Astern, HorizontalOne, DeMarie, Beth, etc., etc... Pick a member who's posts ring a bell with your situation.

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'. Had limited use of arms all my life, but symptoms didn't present until I was about 38.

Sorry I can't jump in and post more. I'm having a recurrence of symptoms and have to limit computer time.

A.

Like Astern mentioned, repetitive motion is the most common source of TOS but there are other sources. In my case, an MVA triggered my TOS. I wasn't able to use the arm/shoulder from day 1 after the car accident. But it took me months to get the doctors to notice the arm situation. Once I had surgery, things were much better until I injured the other shoulder. My artery is affected so surgery is in the near future.

if i didnt have eds i dont think id have tos

My ATOS and VTOS is from birth.

Hi, I just read your quote.You are very smart and informative. I am new here and have TOS. Do you know any DR.s in the L.A. area that take Blue Cross? I have been seeing Dr. Jordan, but can no longer afford him.
Thank you, Mitsy