Can ntos progress to vtos or are they really separate things?

I don't really think of it as progression. There are three rope-like things going through a small space. The rope like things being the artery, the vein and the nerve. The compression in the area can easily cause any combination of the three to become compressed. The way you move, how much damage is done by the way you move, and other factors determines your symptoms but I don't really think it's too difficult for other things to get compressed once one is. However, nerves tend to be highly sensitive and it only takes a little to get them good and ticked off. That's why so many people have NTOS but not V or A TOS. I don't know how common it is to have A or V TOS without NTOS but it is very common to have NTOS without A or V because those take real, physical compression and not just rubbing it the wrong way.
So, to answer your question, over time you can end up with VTOS and not just NTOS because scar tissue can develop, more swelling, and a change in body mechanics that can cause VTOS but it's not really a "progression" in that, if you wait too long it's going to turn into something else.

i just know they said my artery is goes down in size in the thoracic outlet and then goes back up in size once out of there. i asked about the vein and nerves but they said they cannot tell about nerves (don't show up on the can) but it is assumed that they are affected too. they said they don't look at vein cause it is not that good of a bench mark. so i guess i have atos and ntos? who knows.

I cancelled my surgery that was scheduled for today and went and got another opinion. This surgeon said essentially everything everyone has done (or actually not done) over the last 12 weeks has been a waste of time and really screwed me. He was horrified at the lack of diagnostic abilities, poor treatments and inadequate tests that were run. This guy has some good experience with TOS and we are going to do another venogram, but this time using a small camera to see what kind of shape my vein is in. My surgeon is actually going to be there to make sure they don't screw this one up. After he see what's going on, we will look at interventions.

FWIW......He stated stents should never be used for these procedures as they almost always fail (even after decompression). For those with docs that are not listening to you.......MAKE THEM LISTEN OR FIND ANOTHER DOC!! According to my surgeon, the longer this is put off, the more damage can happen in the vein. I have been out of work for 12 weeks for nothing. I am getting ready to lose my job and insurance because of improper diagnosis and treatments. Do not let this happen to you!