NeuroTalk Support Groups - Can't find a comfortable position, help please.

NeuroTalk Support Groups (https://www.neurotalk.org/)

- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (https://www.neurotalk.org/thoracic-outlet-syndrome/)

- - Can't find a comfortable position, help please. (https://www.neurotalk.org/thoracic-outlet-syndrome/166516-cant-comfortable-position-help-please.html)

I also had aggravation from walking and still can. What helped me was propping the hand on top of the pocket to take the weight of the arm off the shoulder girdle.

For forward head posture, look up "brugger relief" on google and youtube, if you haven't already. The sooner you correct forward head posture, the better.

I also wanted to add that using a relaxation audio while in corpse pose is also good stuff. For me at least, it gets rid of some extra muscle tension.

I was trying to read a book for the past hour to help me take my mind off the pain, when I finally realized holding the book and reading was making my symptoms worse. Even though I had propped the book on a pillow, holding it in front of me is more than I can bare right now. I thought I must be getting shoulder bursitis or something because my entire shoulder and arm were burning and hurting so badly.

I am so glad I got on line to read about bursitis because I jumped over to Neuro Talk after I didn't seem to fit the sysmptoms and read about the brugger posture. I just tried it by following an example on YouTube and it did bring some relief. I was afraid to try the posture for fear I could compress the artery worse or something but I am to the point I figure why not. I hurt so much now, just try it. I am glad I did. I just wish I could hold that posture but I can't for more than 30 seconds or so.

Elyse

I'm glad you found something to help. I don't know that you need to hold it too long anyway. I think 15 - 30 secs several times a day is better than a longer period of time. I overdid Brugger on two occasions. The first was doing it two dozen times a day at the beginning, which left my overly tight left pec (my TOS side) really sore. Basically too much stretching for a muscle that wasn't ready for it.

On another occasion, I was ratcheting up the duration and the force which then resulted in spasms between the shoulder blades.

So I've learned to look for that "sweet spot" with the right duration and frequency.

Regarding the reading, I use two thick pillows, not just one. But if you still can't do it, you might try it again in a month or two or three as you improve.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElyseHart (Post 860939)

I am struggling with a very bad right-sided TOS flare. I have been diagnosed with ATOS and now seem to be getting the nerve pain along with the positional compression. I now continuously wake up at night with a heavy, numb, pinched feeling in my forearm and hand. It is a sickening feeling and it takes me a good 10-20 minutes to calm it once I get up. I am finding my hand (palm and back), fingers, forearm and a nerve right above the elbow in the back of my arm are just burning. It makes my lower arm and hand feel so heavy and I can't find a comfortable position.

I have tried sleeping with two shirts on so that I do not put my arm in the second shirt sleeve in order to keep it close to my body. That has not helped. I bought a wrist splint, thinking I might be curling my wrists too much in my sleep. No help. I also started wearing an ulnar nerve fitted arm guard the past few nights to see if that would relieve it - no help there either. So I am tired and anxious and fearful I will not get this situation calmed down.

Can anyone relate and if so, what do you do to sleep?

Thanks, Elyse

Hello, I had very similar symptoms when I found the suggestion on this forum to place ice packs in your arm pits. Tied with ace bandages. I sleep with a fleece jacket and place the ice packs on the out side of the jacket. The symptoms are diminished as long as the ice packs remain frozen and stay in the arm pits. I also place large pillows under my arms to elevate them and sleep in a recliner. I hope this helps!

lintrecek, I have not tried the ice. I will do so as soon as I am off the computer. My computer time is so limited due to the pain. I feel so worn out from pain. My neck, shoulder, forearm and wrist hurt/burn. I have been looking to see if it could also be carpal tunnel, CRPS, or something else from this nerve entrapment. I have this problem from an auto accident where I was rear-ended hard, which totaled my car. I had no idea this TOS syndrome could morph into such a long-term pain problem. At first, I was just so worried about the compressed artery and the loss of a pulse at the dopple test. But I had no idea the pain would come on like this and just persist day after day. I am so discouraged right now. Even the corpse position wears on me after a while. I want to sit and watch TV, or read a book. It is hard to be patient. So thank you for the ice recommendation. I will certainly give it a try very soon.