Yes same as a bruit. Mainly when I lean forward , lie down or turn head, exercise. Sounds promising if you were able to get rid of the bruit.

I had a great experience with Niren Angle down in Mission Viejo. He trained at UCLA and was the chief at UCSD. He has been my Primary in regards to TOS treatment (my other doctors just don't know enough about it to treat). I saw doctors at UCLA and UCI but their system simply is not responsive. Dr. Angle has clinic just on Mondays, but he is quite responsive (even answers email). You can email him via his website: www.niren-angle.com

Tic2,

Thanks for sharing your history, I recommend Dr. Art Ando to be seen first and then Dr.James Sposa, they both do different kind of mobilizing but very necessary stuff. I always make my appointments with both of them whenever I travel to LA but in that order if possible. Hope that helps. Mine was/is bilateral arterial TOS too. Still doing great on right side(scalenectomy 2002), left getting much better with (scalenectomy 2010) and really good PT.
What did Dr. Collins say about Tinnitus, will it get resolved with the surgery or is it a totally different matter?
Good luck with your appts :grouphug: Please post once you have your visits.

Response
 

I too have felt the whooshing sound. Only feel it on my right side (which is where I have most of my muscle tightness). I typicaly get mine even worse if I have a migraine and muscle spasms in the neck.

I had a migraine yesterday that was really bad, had me in bed all day. I was trying to listen to some relaxing music to relieve tension, had my ear buds in and it seemed like I could hear my heart beating in my ears. Hope that makes sense, is that similar to what you are referring to?

Sounds the same. Collins says it is due to compression on valve in jugular Vein. So blood backs up ans swooshes in jugular bulb near ear. Valve is near collarbone. I hoping that PT will help relieve compression and stop compression.
Have you talked to any docs about the whoosh sound.
I hear and feel the whoosh ad vibration.

Collins says Tinnitus is connected toTOS
Hard to post - too much pain
I'll try later

I haven't spoken to any dr.'s about it yet. Just after reading recent posts put two and two together that it could be the TOS causing it. I am going to see Dr. Robert Thompson, St. Louis, the end of November. Can't wait as the last few days have been an awful flair up.

I hope you have better luck with PT, I didn't have much success but I also don't know that my PT was real familiar with TOS. And we weren't certain at the time if it was TOS, shoulder instability, winging scapula, or what.

Does the corpse pose & relaxation help at all?
Have you heard of that or tried it (many times a day for a week or 2 or more...gives a best idea if it will help you or not)

https://encrypted.google.com/search?...Gc_YigKloYCgCA

I often suggest new members look thru our sticky threads , esp if lots of pain, you can just read and not have to type.
Useful sticky - http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread84.html
TRPs - http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread125577.html
Drs & PTs list - http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread135.html

in L.A.
 

Hi Tic,
I am also in L.A. and I also see Dr. Ando. I drive 50 miles to see him. You definately want to see Dr. Ando to begin with. Dr. Sposa is good too but Dr. Ando is the Master. He has helped me alot.

Dr. Jordan is the best TOS Dr. for diagnosis in L.A.He also does pain management.but he doesnt take insurance so he can get quite expensive depending on your insurance. I dont think Dr. Miller is a TOS specialist . I have never heard the term scalene "reduction" i am assuming he means scalenctomy.

I have also consulted with all 3 Vascular surgeons here- Mckenna, Ahn and Gelabart at UCLA. ( I liked him the best).I have not seen Dr. Angle but Marc recommends him and he studied under Gelabart. The only one here that does scalenectomy only is AHn and he will require an angiogram and agioplasty first. There is a dr. in San Diego Dr. Brown who also does it. All the others here take your rib out. You will need to get the correct diagnosis before deciding whether you just need a scalenctomy. i was intersted in doing that too, but have since determined my ribs are a problem too. I have opted not to have surgery at this point but it has taken me a year + to start feeling better.

I am interested in finding out about your mri with Dr. collins. Does your insurance cover it? I have heard it is an all day event. There is another place by Cedars that does it too, but I dont know if it is as comprehensive. I am curious whether he can see the difference between disc pain and TOS pain. I may be calling him for an appt, as my insurance just started covering UCLA again.

You can also check out my thread: JKLS journey where I talk about all the Dr's I have seen in L.A.

Good Luck and Keep us posted!

Hi thanks for all the info.
I changed my appt to Dr Ando for monday.
Dr Miller is a pain management doc that Collins suggested I see, toget the MRI ordered but I think I need a vascular surgeon. Should I be worried about blood clots?
I think a scalene reduction is a scalenectomy. In process of getting MRI approved by insurance. I hope it is. Otherwise cash price is 3k.