NeuroTalk Support Groups - Negative doppler...for now

NeuroTalk Support Groups (https://www.neurotalk.org/)

- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (https://www.neurotalk.org/thoracic-outlet-syndrome/)

- - Negative doppler...for now (https://www.neurotalk.org/thoracic-outlet-syndrome/206958-negative-doppler.html)

I more or less came across mine by accident , but I had been reading about chiro care and was considering it.. luckily he was very good and gentle with his technique and happened to be very knowledgeable overall.

I suggest doing web searches in your area and see what kind of websites you find for those near you. If you find a generic looking site or if they say they can fix everything, I'd avoid those.

Look for one with some real information ad a dc that has extra training, uses other modalities like ultrasound, IF stim, low level laser... and perhaps some triggerpoint and massage. The extra upper cervical knowledge is good if you ever had a head hit or whiplash effect. It takes extra training to adjust the c1c2..

If you have recent x rays / MRI it is good to take them so the DC can review, many will require x rays before any tx.

I had to laugh because my PCP sent me for a regular doppler ultrasound to check for circulation issues. They didn't compare it to my non-symptomatic arm, they did check positions (arm down, then raised over my head.) I asked the tech--this is just checking for blood clots, isn't it? She said yep. I know I don't have a blood clot! Grrr....my insurance probably won't approve any more testing, so what now? :confused: They did pay for an emg/ncs, which was....normal. :rolleyes:

Quote:

Originally Posted by danchol (Post 1082863)

Hi all.

Currently running the TOS gauntlet; undiagnosed and loads of tests for Vtos. I've got all the classic symptoms, bulging veins in hands, subclavical raised w/heavy pulsing and crazy bulging veins in my left forearm too. The right side started over a year ago and has been manageable, unfortunately, the left followed about three months ago and life's currently on standstill.

Anyways I'm getting off track. I had a doppler Tuesday and the operator suggested no abnormalities or clots and everything was fine. So, now what? Do I just sit around waiting for my condition to worsen until there is such a clot? I have droopy shoulders as a result of weightlifting and things have progressively gotten worse week on week, so I can only imagine it's gonna get much worse until the NHS (in England) decide to take action.

Sadly, my symptoms are playing hide and seek with the drs and only decide to come out on their own terms.

My next steps: get a second opinion from another dr - surely that's all I can do?

Thanks.

Hi there! Are you referring to a Doppler Ultrasound or Doppler Waveform and pulse test? I ask because I passed the Doppler Waveform and pulse tests for TOS 2 years ago and had every vascular surgeon in Baltimore tell me I did not have TOS and then I failed part of the test when I recently took it again. I know this may not help you much but it IS possible to pass it and then fail it later. My symptoms are dynamic too. maybe you should do whatever it takes to fully exasperate your symptoms and THEN get retested? Good luck. This is truly such a hard thing to definitely diagnose.

Most tests for TOS will come up normal, unless you have anatomical anomalies, or are so far advanced w/TOS that the damages are severe enough to show on testing.

If you had some sort of acute injury that set off TOS, then depending on what something may show on testing..

If your symptoms aren't constant and are not overly severe - I would focus on finding great PT, DC, bodyworkers and a lot of home care/self care.

If you have triggerpoints , poor posture, muscle spasms, hypertrophic muscles - those can be very painful and cause many symptoms - but won't show up on testing.. those need hands on palpation..