[AuntieSweatsALot]

Hello to all! I'm new here and have searched the forums and found this site to be full of knowledge. I would like to give a little background and see if anyone has anything similar to my situation.

November 2000, I had Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy, bilaterally at the T2 level. This immediately "cured" my palmar hyperhidrosis. This was after much research and feeling like we had the best information possible at that time. Now, 13+ years later, the surgery is banned in Sweeden and being reduced in its frequency in the states. The compensatory sweating started about a year after the surgery and progressed significantly over the years. I am currently taking Rubinol (glycopyrrolate) to help with the CS.

About 18 months ago, I started having burning pain in my shoulder and tingling down the right arm. The symptoms are prevalent when the arm is bent (as in working with the mouse or keyboard) and when playing the clarinet and handbells. When I play softball, there is very little discomfort in the shoulder/arm. After seeing my primary, chiropractor, orthopedic neurologist and now a vascular surgeon, the "gang" feels like I have TOS. I have been referred to Dr. Gregory Pearl at Baylor in Dallas.

However, the vascular surgeon was flabbergasted when I mentioned the ETS to him and he thought there was a real possibility of the two being related. He specifically said that I need to tell Dr. Pearl of that right off to make sure he is aware of that history.

Has anyone else on the form had ETS and then TOS? The breaking of the nerve chain obviously had more harm than was expected and now they believe that the T2 level not only stops sweating from that level up (not even my head sweats now - which causes me to overheat) but it also regulates heart rate, blood pressure and regulating the body's temperature.
When I am hot or get nervous, you can literally watch my head turn red from chin to forehead. It's quite embarrassing but I can't do anything about it.
I have had an ultrasound from the chin to hand and it came back crystal clear. I have also had an EMG/Nerve study and it came back normal. My cervical MRI had only slight degenerative changes which are typical for my age (almost 40).

While some of my symptoms are atypical for TOS, I will see Dr. Pearl on 4/29 to get his opinion. I'm reluctant to have surgery considering the results from the ETS and reading some of the stories from the board. If anyone has any similarities, please share!

[Jomar]

Hello,
Well I think Dr Pearl is one that does many pro ball players surgeries, so he is a pro if they trust him to keep them playing..
I haven't read of a TOS- ETS connection before now but it could be possible.

Depending on how long you practice & how long you have done those things, the musical instruments, and sports & desk activities, those can all be a factor with TOS. Forward head/forward shoulders postures & static postures?
Baseball you usually move around a bit more so less of a factor unless you are a pitcher..

[AuntieSweatsALot]

Originally Posted by Jo*mar

Hello,
Well I think Dr Pearl is one that does many pro ball players surgeries, so he is a pro if they trust him to keep them playing..
I haven't read of a TOS- ETS connection before now but it could be possible.

Depending on how long you practice & how long you have done those things, the musical instruments, and sports & desk activities, those can all be a factor with TOS. Forward head/forward shoulders postures & static postures?
Baseball you usually move around a bit more so less of a factor unless you are a pitcher..

Thanks for the response. I've played the instruments for over 20 years and love working on the computer and I'm sure they play a factor in the symptoms. I haven't played softball in a few years but I am currently coaching and can limit any activity to a degree. But it's odd to me that the sports actions don't cause the symptoms to get worse. But less than an hour and my hand starts going numb and cold. I'll be patient and see what Dr. Pearl has to say. I'm glad to see good recommenations in various places on him.

I truly hope there is NO correlation between the two, but since so many things are just now coming out about the ETS, it is a concern.

[nospam]

I believe Dr. Samuel Ahn has researched a potential connection between the two. You may try searching for his research (you will probably find some negative info about him and ETS...he seems to stay on the bleeding edge of vascular surgery). I think you are in the right hands with Dr. Pearl.

[AuntieSweatsALot]

Originally Posted by nospam

I believe Dr. Samuel Ahn has researched a potential connection between the two. You may try searching for his research (you will probably find some negative info about him and ETS...he seems to stay on the bleeding edge of vascular surgery). I think you are in the right hands with Dr. Pearl.

Thank you for another avenue of investigation. I really do appreciate it. After suffering it's effects, I'm on the fence about the surgery. But at the time, it was the best decision I could make.