Hello all,

I have been a bit of a luker here for a while. I have been dealing with NTOS since July-August of 2011. I am in the military and cannot really pinpoint what might have casued my TOS. It could have been from carrying heavy packs or doing combatives training, or possibly lifting weights.

My issues are quite odd and differ from many others I have read. Mine started with muscle twitching in the left neck, I would also get associated dizzyness while working out. This progressivley got worse towards the Dec-Jan 12 timeframe. I would notice my scalp muscles being very tight, very bad headaches, and pain in the face and eye region.

I also started noticing pain in the left/middle chest, left serratos anterior, and my left scapula started to wing out. Pain in the neck, mid back, shoulder/armppit, and collarbone region has also gotten much worse. Stretching and PT help for maybe a day or two but nothing long term.

I had previously been diagnosed by a sports medicene doctor at the University of Missouri with TOS. He wanted me to do PT/OT yet I got zero progress. After many specialists, chiropractors, and PT appointments with no real progress I found Dr. Robert Thompsons info on the internet and decided to call their office.

I just went out this past week for the block test and eval. He does believe I have NTOS, but cannot really explain the dizzyness. He says it sometimes does happen and cannot guarentee it will be fixed. However he says I should notice many of the other issues to be helped. After talking with him he feels surgery is the best bet. On Tuesday I will be having my left 1st rib taken out, pec minor, and both scalenes all on the left side as well.

Dr. Thompson and his staff are awsome thus far, and after seeing all the professional atheletes he has worked with, it seems he knows what he is doing. They understood my circumstances and he believes I will be able to return to the active lifestyle I had over a year ago.

I am somewhat nervous, I have never had surgery and really don't know what to expect. I have read a few people's write-ups. I just want to see how people are doing post-surgery? This issue has basically sidelined me from doing my job in the military. I can only hope this will work and I can get back to doing what I love. Any tips from anyone post surgery would be awsome! I plan to get healthy asap!

Take it slow. There have been days I tried to push myself in attempt to make it back to work as a police officer, and only delayed my recovery. Find a good PT who understands TOS. I have had two surgeries for TOS on my left side in last 16 months and I am finally seeing some positive results. I have ATOS and NTOS, but I also have MS which has hindered my recovery. I recently found a good massage therapist who also does active isolation stretching with me. My MS cause muscle tightness which has not helped my TOS. Just be patient with your recovery and good luck. Thank you for your service and God Bless.

I just had the exact same operation as u on Friday the 11 th. For me pain has been manageable. Only 2 times had it flared up to the point I couldn't stand it. Dr Thompson also did my surgery. Him and his staff including hospital staff have been wonderful. I am still on a lot of pain medicine so wont really be able to tell if operation was successful for a while.

I am still at hospital and probably will b till Tuesday. If u have any questions I would b happy to answer. Good luck and u r in thehands of a wonderful doctor

I just had a bilateral first rib resection on 01/02/13 and I feel very good. My left pec minor is quite tight, I hope that will release but overall it seems like the surgery was a success. Pain hasn't been near the problem I thought it was going to be which is good and I'm able to take care of myself quite well.
My advice? Make sure you have at least 5 pillows. One for each arm and three for propping yourself up. Other than that, get some comfy pajamas and have space close by for "essentials." Lip balm, TV remote, phone, medications, snacks, and a drink.

Good luck!!

Best of luck to you!

Good luck. U r in good hands

You are in very good hands! I used to work with him He is the best of the best!! Take it one day at a time and don't get frustrated with your restrictions. It's going to take time and it will be worth your patience in the end! No need for "Good luck" .....you got this

Good luck with your Surgery

I had these symptoms prior to TOS surgery, and they went away post-op. Some similar symptoms have since returned but appear to be originating from the cervical spine. I've learned that this is generally irritation of the occipital and trigeminal nerves. I've found Valium to be the best thing to treat this for me (both pre-TOS surgery and now). Ativan should work as well but is shorter acting. Ask your doctor.

Well it has been two weeks today since my surgery!

I went in on Tuesday the 15th and was released from the hospital on Friday the 18th. I stayed in St Louis until the following Wensday and came back home. Everything went smooth, I had some scar tissue that was removed and Dr. Thompson said I have the record from the largest Scalence Muscles he has ever removed weight wise lol.

I will say the surgery was a bit painful but was better than I expected. The first two days are the worst, from there it is all downhill. I am still having some numbness in the chest, neck, and arm. The worst is the lack of strength and the pain in the arm down into the hand. I did not have much of this prior to surgery but the doc said anytime you are in the nerves will get irritated so I guess it will take some time.

I am feeling pretty good otherwise, alot of the pain in the chest, neck, and mid back is gone! I have had a couple of episodes of slight dizziness but think they are related to TMJ now, yet they are no where near as extreme.

I returned to work yesterday and worked a 10 hours lol. Put in another 10 today! Overall I feel decent, I am strictly doing adminstrative work so nothing crazy right now. So far the surgery was worth getting rid of the issues I had prior to surgery. I just hope they get better and never come back!

Just curious for those of you who are active, how long before you were working out agian? IE running, lifting weights, ect. I feel like I am obvioulsy progressing faster than the normal person, I am 26 and very fit. Just seeing how long I'm looking at. I don't want to push it too hard, but running a mile or two would be nice!