Originally Posted by BLeininger

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.

Originally Posted by Jlorainne

Brian,

If you want to get together let me know. I'm in Martinsville so we are close. We can learn from each others experiences. I can never sit at a desk all day. It is way too painful. Massage is the only way I get any relief. I'm usually ok for a few days after the massage but then I gown down hill again. If you haven't yet go see a chiropractor. They are amazing. Mine and my massages are the only reason I'm somewhat functional.

Jess

Originally Posted by Jlorainne

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

Originally Posted by JR1977

Jlorainne: Thanks for the update. I wish you the best with your surgery and your recovery! I am new to the community, but I had surgery by Dr. Thompson on June 14th of this year for right arterial TOS (resection of first rib and cervical rib, scalene removal, and aneurysm repair). I was in the hospital for 4 nights and then stayed at the Parkway Hotel for 2 more nights before my post-op check-in. I came in from out of town and had family with me the whole time.

I was very pleased with Dr. Thompson and his staff. Everyone was extremely professional, and it really did help so much with my anxiety knowing that I was with one of the best surgeons for this condition. The nursing staff were very familiar with TOS and the recovery process. The first few days were rough, but I had good pain control and mainly just slept a lot. I had very low energy and quite a bit of pain the first 4 weeks after surgery, but I'm doing a lot better now. I am back at work and also doing PT twice a week which I think is helping a lot.

Just wanted to wish you all the best moving forward! I really trust Dr. Thompson for these types of surgery. Like you wrote, you have a serious case and it just makes sense to go to someone who does a bunch of these. Take care!

Originally Posted by lsmith1508

Hello,
I'm new to the site. I'm having surgery with Dr. Thomspon in 9 days, and I will also be traveling from out of town. I have venous TOS and will be having the 1st rib resection, scalenectomy, and repair of my subclavian vein. I'm not sure how far you had to travel, but I'm curious if you were reimbursed for any travel expenses. If not, I'm wondering if I offer to be a patient for research, then maybe they will pay for my lodging, travel, and food for every follow up visit. Do you know anything about this by chance?

Originally Posted by TellerMomof3

I had neurogenic thoracic outlet surgery with Dr Thompson on Jan 11th of this year. I traveled 5 hrs. I had the 1st rib resection scalenectomy and peck minor release. I stayed in the hospital 4 nights and hotel 3 nights. My husband had to stay in the hotel the whole time so we had a $1000 hotel bill. I did not really pursue reimbursement thru the Dr office but my insurance would not cover it. I think we were there a total of 9 nights since we had to be there two days before surgery to have a few office appts and do preregistraton. If u have any questions I would b happy to tell u my experience.

Originally Posted by lsmith1508

How is your recovery going? Did you have a lot of pain post op? Was the car ride home difficult to handle?