Laura, I am confidant we are in some of the best hands for this surgery. I'll be thinking of you on the 28th and hope you have a successful outcome. I'm nervous about the initial pain of surgery, which doesn't sound like a picnic for awhile.

Hi Limoges,

Yes, as the time draws closer, I am certainly getting anxious about several aspects of the surgery. The post-op pain is definitely one of them. We are fortunate to have access to top notch medical care and be at the hands of folks at MGH, though. If these practioners don't know how to treat us, I'm not sure who can!

When is your surgery scheduled? Are you having rib resection and the scalenectomy?

Take care,
Laura

I was thinking about seeing Dr. Donahue because i have heard good things about him. I live in New York and need a phenomenal surgeon. I am young like you, I'm 26, and i have strictly circulatory problems. Im in no pain and havent been diagnosed yet. Well the only pain im in is right sided neck and head pain. I haven't been diagned yet but im positive something is interfering with my circulation. It's consuming my life and thoughts.

I really need someone to talk to me who knows what im going through so we can help eachother amd get through this. I'm terrified ill drop dead from a stroke if i dont get this taken care of first but due to health insuramce I havent veen able to seek Dr Donahues assistance.

How is his outlook on arterial or vennous tos ? Positive and hopeful or negative ?? How fast was he able to determine where the compressiom was coming from and how many tests does he normally run? Is he positive where compression is or takes a guess ? I know if a surgeon knows exactly what is causing the compression than after surgery you would be cured. its when they aren't sure where it runs into a problem bc if they take out what is not causing the compressiom then you'll still have the issue.

THis is strictly arterial or venous tos I'm speaking of. Did he mention risk of stroke and if its likely , even in the worst of cases ? I know nothing about this. I know you'll b just fine after surgery

Hi there,
If you have venous tos, your recovery after surgery is highly successful. When the nerves are involved, it can be a bit longer and more complicated. Hopefully you can work it out so you can see him.

Pretty concerned but don't want further surgery!
I'm 6 months post first rib resection and have begun to experience issues with my arm/hand on OPERATED side, it still fatigues very quickly. Even though my vein and artery have been released from the first rib I think that they have not been through enough in their investigations and feel that they have missed part of the compression ?????? My pec is very troublesome and when my arms are stretched out above or in front of me and across my body my hands are going pale very quickly!!
I'm VERY confused as to what I should do. I still have issues with my left side too BUT really don't want to be touched again..... I have lost all faith in medical intervention, it hasn't helped me and I don't want to go down the road of being dependent on meds.
I'm working hard on doing things as holistically and gently as possible.
The only time I get cut again is if its a there and then life or death situation.
Damn I'm confused!

If they missed part of the compression then things for you to investigate include at least:

-- pec minor syndrome

-- droopy shoulder syndrome

I have the pec minor problem. It is not enough for me to stretch the scalenes and shove my rib down. I must also stretch the pec minor every day or my circulation will get backed up into my pec.

Good luck!