Hello,

Even after seeing a vascular surgeon, I have learned that they are all not created equal, and I need to see someone who deals specifically with TOS. I am in Virginia. I called JH, and they could get me in, but it wasn't w/Dr. Lum, just with another doc who sees TOS patients. I really wanted to see a doctor who only deals with TOS.

I read your stickies, but would like some personal advice/stories. I can travel, but would like to give my info to a doctor in advance, since I don't want to waste a trip.

I am thinking about doctors:
-Thompson
-Pearl
-Donahue

Thoughts or insight?

Can they not get you in with Lum any time in the near future? I really do like him. I have heard great things about Donahue, so I don't think you could go wrong with either of them.

I like Dr. Donahue.

+1 Donahue

I have had two surgeries now with Dr. Robert Thompson and have nothing but good to say about him, but also love his office staff and hospital staff. If you have any questions feel free to message me.

Hi, can you let me know a bit more about Dr Thompson and any links to his practise? Also any idea about costs? I am planning to come from India to the US to get treated and would be uninsured so it would help me to understand the costs involved.

Also any particular reason why you didn't consider Dr RJ Sanders? He seems to be one of the pioneers or experts in the TOS arena.
Ec central.com has a link on TOS and there are several research papers under his name.
I am new here so may have missed something, please correct me if I missed anything.

Dr. Sanders is in his 80's and no longer operates as the primary surgeon. He assists in surgery with Dr. Annest at Vascular Institute of the Rockies in Denver, Colorado.

On the Doctor list thread on the top, someone gave this fantastic description of him, and how he just does the lidocaine block in the anterior scalene. That was my experience as well.

Why are you coming to the US to get treated? Do you have relatives in any particular place? You wouldn't be able to travel back for a while. That is a long miserable flight for people in good health.

My bilateral pec minor release was $28,000 before insurance, and that is a minor surgery compared to the first rib resection and scalenectomy. This was done by Annest/Sanders.

I would see if you could get lidocaine and or botox injections done first, if you have not done this already.

Dr. Thompson is at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

For links to his practice just search for Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO. Not sure on costs for this but you could call them at(314) 747=8272

I think my preinsurance total cost was around $60,000. But even for a cash price or noninsurance the total would be significantly less. But I had the full surgery, rib removal, pec minor release, scalenectomy.

I chose him due to his high referral rate and his location from me. He is one of the best in his field and the closest to where I live. After meeting with him and patients that have worked with him, I would never pick anyone else.

Thank you so much Eight and TellerMom3!

I am thinking of coming to the US to get a proper diagnosis + conservative treatment options. Any advice for these would be invaluable. Hopefully I can stave off surgery as it would be pretty costly. I am based out of India.

My TOS story is here:http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post1083419-246.html

I think bad ergonomics contributed to preexisting RSI/TOS like issues and then an accident started off my symptoms. Several years of being told its in my hand and zero Physical Therapy without any diagnosis and being told to rest, not imagine things, till finally this year i get a doctor who says its TOS after another confirms all my symptoms match those of intense carpal tunnel syndrome without a need for it to be there in my left hand (I am right handed). He couldn't figure out why I had trap/neck spasms. Another Dr finally figured out I had TOS. This after six years.