[tg1999]

Hi all,
I'm new to this forum and hope I'm posting this right...

I have had TOS symptoms for 23 years. I had 3 surgeries on my left arm before I was diagnosed with TOS due to an extra "cervical" rib. I then went to UCLA/Dr. Ahn and had two TOS surgeries. Now, after 8 years of medication for chronic pain, I'm progressively experiencing increased pain in both my shoulders, arms, fingers and neck. I don't have much strength in my left hand and now have twitching and increased pain in my ring finger and thumb (which could just be arthritis).

I have a consultation with a vasular surgeon in a week or so and I'm in need of some advice.

After reading some of these posts, does anyone have a success story after surgery? Also I'm having difficulty swallowing and I've been wondering if it could be related at all to the TOS. Has anyone heard of that before?

Thank you to anyone who responds! I really could use some help on next steps since my medications are no longer working.

[Jomar]

Swallowing problems -- yes! Quite a few here have that at times.

http://dysphagia.com/

some good links for you- useful sticky thread-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=84

this one shows the vertebral artery sx {swallowing} {and other sx} on a chart
http://tos-syndrome.com/newpage12.htm
http://tos-syndrome.com

I don't know if you have seen these threads yet-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ght=swallowing

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ght=swallowing

[tg1999]

Thank you for sending me all the links...I've seen some before but others were new. Do you know if there is any information on the success rates of surgeries or physical therapy? I'm at a turning point in my pain management and I'm not certain which direction to go. Gathering as much info as I can. This forum is very helpful!

Thanks again to anyone who responds.

Have a wonderful day!

[Jomar]

We do have some polls and surgery threads/topics.

But from my reading - It just seems everyone and their circumstances are so different - it's really hard to pin anything down.

there is diff levels of scar tissue regrowth - some have a lot and some little
the surgeons skill
the recovery and how it goes
personal circumstances
good after care and follow up
personalized proper PT or therapies after
posture issues addressed -whole body

[I don't have much strength in my left hand and now have twitching and increased pain in my ring finger and thumb (which could just be arthritis).]
I believe arthritis can be ruled out from an xray??

have you read about the MRA or 3D MRI - I can't remember it they will show scar tissue/adhiesions??
can anyone help on that?

But some do have redo surgeries to clean scar tissue out as it will grow and stick to the nerves and other structures.

I'll bump some of our polls up for you.

[Jomar]

added our polls/links to the useful sticky & here is what I came up with-

TOS surgery & results http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...5990#post85990

how did you get TOS?
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...highlight=poll

TOS Surgery and therapy info
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...highlight=poll

Surgical, Injections or Conservative: Unsuccessful only please
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/po...ults&pollid=30