Yes, when I came off my pain meds my doctor recommended that I slowly wean off my meds. Lyrica is the only medication that I know for a fact worked (other than massive amount of ibuprofin-2400 to 3200mg per day). Being strong. Had a decent day today. Have felt more productive than I have at all in the past month (still remembering to take it slow). You are right. I have a wonderful husband and 2 beautiful girls who take care of me and keep me going and a board that I can go to when I don't feel like rambling about symptoms that they they do not have an experience with. They are my world. My motivation. My husband was the one who matched my conditions to TOS then had 4 doctors confirm it. I am a lucky girl....just takes time...that and lots of rest!

Amber

Hello. My neighbor also had surgery for TOS and she feels muscle relaxers help her tremendously. She does not work, but any work at PC longer than an hr, she pays a price. Her surgery was in March. Mine was in June and my rerun to work in Sept did not fare well, I had to quit and I am applying for disability with Soc sec. I believe that it is still quite common for TOS folks to get somewhat better with surgery, but that a change in lifestyle for many of us is inevitable. It is such Terrible condition to endure...

Thanks, Amber! The PT said today one of the culprits of the type of pain you and I are both experiencing is the subscapularis. There are a few youtube videos on how to help release it as it can get tight. I saw one today that might be gentle enough, given your hubby can only use light pressure. I'm not able to add the youtube video bc I need a few more posts, but I will come back and post when I can.

Hopefully your day was better

TOS is terrible, and causes so much heartache and pain. Best of luck w your SSD. I take muscle relaxers daily, and it does help to keep things from getting too tense and helps with the muscle spasms.

May I ask how long you have been on the Lyrica? I do know a few people that have really benefited from taking it. I was so apprehensive when a doctor recommended it in April. Most meds that can cause weight gain, have done that for me so I get super nervous. I may still try it, though

Here's the youtube video your husband may want to try, but always would stress to be gentle as to not cause aggravation, only to help release

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=008N4TpyGG8

I agree fclegg,

I returned to work at the beginning of November. Dr released me (though never saw me before due to breaking his arm the day before my apt for followup). At the time of returning to work I had 17 days of FMLA and wanted to have a cushion for when I have difficult days because it doesn't renew until August 2013... I asked the doctor (or his nurse who I talked to by phone) if I could start back on a reduce schedule of 30 hours a week to ease back into thing....boy am I glad I did...even though I am just working that I am having to do schedule changes at least 2 times a week and makeup time where I can. My biggest fear is that I will have to go on disability...I don't want to loose a decent job with decent benefits that pays well for 1800 per month before taxes to support a family of 5 but at the same time I don't want to hurt myself worse and
be even worse than I am now. I made it 4 years without missing work (gotta love icy-hot coworkers hated it, yoga and constant back rubs from spouse, and cant forget the trusty heating pad). Now that I've had the surgery my upper neck pain that killed me is gone but at the same time I just don't have the energy or strength right now do really do anything...even when I get sleep.

Thank for all of your kind words....gives me hope!
Amber

I was able to click on the link that showed up through my email!!! Yay! The way he is mobilizing the rib cage seem like it would target all of the areas that are causing my pain. After my husband gets done making me a nutritious and yummy meal...I will have him watch the video and have him try it out. (he spoils me, and is my strength rock). I was on lyrica from 2009 to 3 months after my surgery when I tried to wean off my med...tramadol was the first that I came of off then started lowering my cymbalta (which I will never go on again) and then finally my lyrica. Since taking it last night and having the anxiety medication I feel very talkative. I actually had a productive day at work and caught up on some of my workload. The combination of the 2 seems to reduce the pain level...I still feel like the areas of my wrist, shoulder trap, and above the breast bone are weighted but they dont hurt or ache. It is such a relief...I'm hoping that it will continue as I increase the anxiety medication (goes from 10 to 40 mg within 30 days). I do feel as though I have alot on me and trying to recover while try and keep up like I did before is impossible and just not something that I can do right now in any aspect.
I strongly recommend lyrica...I am pretty sensitive to medications and going on and off of it has caused me no issues and helps me sleep (coming off cymbalta is like the flu and causes weight gain!) Since my surgery I have lost 9lbs. So I can not tell you if it caused any issues there. I have not had much of an appetite as of late....exept for sweet things it seems. Fudge cookie dough brownies got me out of my sunday depression I had.

Thank you for the info on Lyrica. My doctor had said the Lyrica would most likely cause tiredness and possibly dizziness the first couple of weeks until the body adjusts. I have a prescription and may fill it. Thank you again I hope you are feeling better very soon!

The best way to start taking medication is to break it into quarters (the tablet that is) and start off by taking a quarter of a tablet at a time for 48hrs then halffor 48 and so on build up slowly to the prescribed dose otherwise it may well knock you for six and make you feel sick. I don't react well to any kind of medication, I have a very sensitive system and when I had surgery I could only tolerate the lowest possible dose of fentanyl otherwise I was sick. But prior to that my doctor suggested starting off on the really small doses of medication that I took for nerve pain it wasn't lyrica but it was nortriptyline which is similar and building up slowly and the medication didn't make me sick. She said they suggest these doses for elderly people but also for people who are sensitive to medications. I am not elderly just overly sensitive and it works. So give it a try.