If the side effects don't fade after a week or so, I say it is time to try something else (like Lyrica). Did you ramp up the Gabapentin or jump straight to a dose higher than 100mg?

I know about that medication. I just started on it. I am taking it at night before bed, so that I sleep when the effects kick in. It does make you very very tired. so far so good. Maybe try this at a lower dose, and gradually work up to more of the medication. I wish you all the best. ginnie

I was considering trying that but Dr. Jordan said the fatigue and weight gain might not be worth it so for now I am sticking with Relafan (Anti-inflammatory and Flexeril(muscle relaxant) when I need it. I had to stop working at a job that I loved, its been a year, but with my current physical therapy going so well, I am hoping to get back to it hopefully next fall. If my symptoms come back,then i will consider other medications and then possibly surgery.

Did Dr. T say to try the meds and pt for a while longer before he would recommend surgery?

Jess,

Hello. I am located in Greenwood and was recently diagnosed with bi-lateral thoracic outlet. I am currently seeing a PT that has treated a patient of Dr. Thompson's. My PT has given me stretching and strengthening exercises that her former paitent was given by Dr. T's pysical therapists. Can you give me an idea of what your physical therapy entails. I am curious if my physical therapy instructions are similar to yours.

Thanks,
Brian

Hi Brian, Welcome.

Does your PT look for triggerpoints and do much manual work on your or is it mostly stretches or weights/strengthening?
How long have you been going & does it seem to be helping at all?

We have a trigger points sticky thread that might be helpful-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread125577.html

some other informative links -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ht=advanced+PT
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread135-2.html

You might want to make a new thread of your own so we can focus on helping you.

I have been at it about two weeks with stretches and strengthening with therapy bands. My PT does some massage around the neck and shoulders. Before the therapy, when I would sit at the computer, it would fee like I was losing circulation in my arm with my fingertips getting cold. Since therapy, it seems like I can sit longer periods of time before the symptoms flare up.

Hi Jess,

I'm curious to know why you chose Dr. Thompson over Dr. Donahue? Any particular reasons, level of experience, specific procedures each said they would perform for your surgery, etc? I am also considering surgery in the near future and am looking into surgeons out of state (I am in NY).

Hello again. Sorry I have been absent for so long. I'll try to answer some questions here and catch everyone up.
I couldn't handle the pain meds so I stopped taking the gabapentin. I can barely tolerate hydrocodone. I take half a dose when only when I am in so much pain that I can't take it anymore. It doesn't really fix the pain it just makes me loopy so I no longer care about the pain. I hate feeling that way.
I was seeing a pt in Bloomington at the IU sports rehab facility. Kristine Hack is amazing. She worked with me very well and adapted many exercises just for me. However 4 weeks into therapy I couldn't tolerate the pain anymore. Everything we did caused a flair-up. Even with the modifications. I ended up in the er with migraines triggered by the flair-ups. One trip to the er was on my wedding day. I felt awful all day on my wedding day. Not the kind of day you dream of. Kristine was wonderful but she couldn't help me, my muscles are just too tight. She said on many occasions that they were like concrete.

My firtst surgery is on August 16, my 25th birthday is the 17. Nice timing.
Dr. Thompson is going to do a scalenectomy, first rib resection and split both pec minors. I know it's a lot. And he is kinda throwing the kitchen sink at me, but I truly believe that is what I need.

I chose Dr. T over Dr. Donahue for several reasons.
1. The Botox treatment Dr. Donahue does is a bandaid not a cure. Just pt is not enough to help me.
2. I live in Indiana, and am not made of money. Dr Donahue wanted me to fly back and forth every 6-8 weeks. That is not an option for me.
3. His secretary is not kind or helpful. She was mean and rude every time I talked to her.
4. It was pretty clear to me early on that I have tos bad. Not a mild case. I knew that I would probably need surgery. Dr. Thompson is just better at them. He does 6 or so each week. He knows what he is doing and most people get better. Dr. Donahue told me that he only does surgery as a last resort. He then said maybe there is someone out there who gives everyone surgery and everyone gets better. But that's not the way he does it. I found that someone. If you don't need surgery stick with Dr. Donahue. He is great. Even if you might need surgery he is great. He's just too far for me to travel.

Jess

I had not seen your thread before. I just wanted to stop by and wish you all the best as you go forward with the TOS surgery. I can tell by your post that you did all the homework to find the best solution. So very sorry that you have to endure it all, but there can and is good results from many people.
I do not have your same condition. Had two spinal fusions however, and I got some good help. Not perfect by any means, but so much better than what I was before. I hope the angels are with you, while you sleep through your surgery. Let them help guide your good surgeons hands. ginnie

Dr T. Pretty much told me that pt won't help but I could try it. I did try it. He was right. He did not prescribe meds my primary care dr did.