[eveewonder]

Maybe this is a vent but also a question. How do you guys deal with doing basic chores around the house ie. vacuuming, dusting, tasks that require reaching, holding stuff.

My whole arm shoulder, neck and hand get irritated, hurt, become painful and weak just trying to clean the house. I end up doing a little bit and then sitting down to rest to get weight off my arm by letting it rest in a neutral non weight bearing position. It drives me nuts and I don't get much done.

Anyone else out there get frustrated and what do you do?

[nospam]

My advice is avoid tasks that aggravate your symptoms if you can't find a way to avoid aggravation (step stool for example). If you can afford it, hire help with the house.

[kellysf]

My answer is that I don't do much at all. I can vacuum some if I kind of "dance" with the machine. Basically, you move your feet to move the vacuum rather than moving your farms. You sort of walk the vacuum around the house. As for all the other household chores, they fall to my partner -- shopping, garden, laundry, windows, dusting, cooking, driving. When I have to do it I tank.

Good luck,
Kelly

[eveewonder]

My poor right arm takes a beating having to do everything. My left which is the TOS side is strong but it can only do stuff for a very brief period especially if it is reaching or overhead and then it is exhausted and then there is the pain that goes in the neck. Good times.

[brisco71]

Originally Posted by eveewonder

Maybe this is a vent but also a question. How do you guys deal with doing basic chores around the house ie. vacuuming, dusting, tasks that require reaching, holding stuff.

My whole arm shoulder, neck and hand get irritated, hurt, become painful and weak just trying to clean the house. I end up doing a little bit and then sitting down to rest to get weight off my arm by letting it rest in a neutral non weight bearing position. It drives me nuts and I don't get much done.

Anyone else out there get frustrated and what do you do?

I let my husband do the vacuuming, laundry and anything that involves reaching. I can unload the dishwasher, but he puts the higher up things away. I can't drive at this point due to the TOS, and that is the thing that drives me most batty!

[eveewonder]

I live alone so it is just me. Driving I tend to use my good arm mostly. If take my left arm (TOS side) and rest the elbow the top of the door and hold the ceiling strap with my hand or touch my fingers to the top of the door it helps. It takes the weight off my arm and supports it in a level neutral position.

For those having trouble doing chores, driving etc with no improvement after trying pt would you not think about surgery if it was available? Or do you feel the risks of surgery too great with the potential to be better too low?

[Annamay]

I am comforted by your "venting". I also struggle with household chores as well as simply typing on my computer for work. It's been a year and half for me. How long for you?

I don't know what to do about it. I have been seeing doctor after doctor...

Originally Posted by eveewonder

Maybe this is a vent but also a question. How do you guys deal with doing basic chores around the house ie. vacuuming, dusting, tasks that require reaching, holding stuff.

My whole arm shoulder, neck and hand get irritated, hurt, become painful and weak just trying to clean the house. I end up doing a little bit and then sitting down to rest to get weight off my arm by letting it rest in a neutral non weight bearing position. It drives me nuts and I don't get much done.

Anyone else out there get frustrated and what do you do?

[eveewonder]

It's been about 4.5 years for me. TOS happened after a clavicle surgery. I may be getting surgery but I'm worried about that. For me the surgery is more involved with trying to deal with the clavicle since that isn't healed right and has hardware and donor bone. There are times when I feel my arm is a problem but maybe just annoying and I can deal with it and other times where it is excruciating pain, other times it is just that it very quickly becomes tired and heavy. Seems every little thing gets it going but if I just lay down or leave it rest in comfortable position it is ok. Even just the weight of the arm pulling on the shoulder causes problems. It is hard to weigh the risks of trying to get it fixed, the potential for a good outcome vs doing nothing.

[Jomar]

Originally Posted by eveewonder

It's been about 4.5 years for me. TOS happened after a clavicle surgery. I may be getting surgery but I'm worried about that. For me the surgery is more involved with trying to deal with the clavicle since that isn't healed right and has hardware and donor bone. There are times when I feel my arm is a problem but maybe just annoying and I can deal with it and other times where it is excruciating pain, other times it is just that it very quickly becomes tired and heavy. Seems every little thing gets it going but if I just lay down or leave it rest in comfortable position it is ok. Even just the weight of the arm pulling on the shoulder causes problems. It is hard to weigh the risks of trying to get it fixed, the potential for a good outcome vs doing nothing.

If you do decide to have surgery to redo the clavicle , find the very best surgeon that you can get..
Maybe if it gets fixed correctly the rest will be better too.

[Msudawg89]

I had necessary surgery for TOS. They found scar tissue wrapped around the thoracic bundle and scalene muscles. I still suffer 2 years later, I have nerve damage from the TOS. I have the same issue of the shoulder hanging being painful. One thing that really helps is having my shoulder taped up twice a week with KT tape. I have treatment from a neurological chiropractor and he tapes my shoulder. It is amazing how much the tape adds support. I have been wearing it for a year now. I probably looks funny, but the comfort I get is worth it.