[patriots12]

I am a 22 year old college athlete, recently diagnosed with venous TOS in my left arm. Lifting weights is one of my favorite hobbies. I am currently lifting weights, at about 85%, and going in soon to meet a surgeon and see where to go from here. I had a procedure about 3 weeks ago where they put balloons in my veins to expand them for the time being and Im on blood thinners. Will I ever be able to lift weights again after I have this surgery. Squats, Bench press, ect.....I just went through 23 pages of posts on this forum, with only one instance being positive (Josh Beckett.) To say i'm worried is an understatement. Could this ruin my life?

[Jomar]

Hi,
Some of the crowding problem with any type of TOS may be due to hyper-trophic muscles... Unless the surgeon finds a specific cause not related to muscle mass/crowding..
limiting any muscle building lifting would be a very good idea..IMO

We have had weightlifters posting at times, some had surgery and some not. I don't recall if most stopped lifting completely or not..

There are many other activities you can do that would be less of a factor for any ongoing TOS issues and/or chronic pain..

I just feel I need to say that as I had "just" ongoing RSIs and no one told me flat out that this can become a lifelong issue..
Actually one dr did mention it but he said it more in passing, and I was feeling better at the time, so I didn't pay attention til it was too late, and was beginning to be a chronic TOS like issue...

Now I'm at a chronic myofascial discomfort stage..milder in warmer weather but usually need some Aleve most days..

At your young age - I wouldn't risk doing activities that might cause long term pain or pain later in life.. It isn't fun..
Find less aggravating things to do.

[Hiker]

Welcome patriots12.
My symptoms are more on the neuro side than vascular. I am also 20 years older than you are and not an athlete. But if I were you, I would be careful with weights.
When my symptoms started, I continued lifting weights as well as doing other strenuous work out for about 6 months.
Honestly I wish I did not as my symptoms got progressively worse. I think exercise was a major contributor (the other one being desk job).
Eventually I had to give up all exercise: running, hiking, biking, swimming, lifting as well as all my other hobbies.

Will you be able to lift weights after the surgery? I suppose so. As you are a young athlete, you have a better chance for good recovery.

[patriots12]

Originally Posted by Hiker

Welcome patriots12.
My symptoms are more on the neuro side than vascular. I am also 20 years older than you are and not an athlete. But if I were you, I would be careful with weights.
When my symptoms started, I continued lifting weights as well as doing other strenuous work out for about 6 months.
Honestly I wish I did not as my symptoms got progressively worse. I think exercise was a major contributor (the other one being desk job).
Eventually I had to give up all exercise: running, hiking, biking, swimming, lifting as well as all my other hobbies.

Will you be able to lift weights after the surgery? I suppose so. As you are a young athlete, you have a better chance for good recovery.

So after TOS surgery, you found you were unable to do basically anything strenuous? at all?

[Kitt]

Welcome patriots12.

[Akash]

Patriots, it's not about lifting weights per se, but making sure you are not accentuating existing neuromuscular imbalances. If some muscles are hypertrophied and others are weak, backing off one group and working on the others is fine. There are posters here who do manage their TOS and do weights, but it's all about your unique case and what works for you. Just be careful is all.

[Hiker]

Originally Posted by patriots12

So after TOS surgery, you found you were unable to do basically anything strenuous? at all?

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I am still hoping to recover without surgery. But at the moment I am unable to do anything even mildly strenuous that involves my arms. Flared myself up a few days ago reaching for a couple of coke bottles.

[Jomar]

I didn't have any surgery.
But at my worst, my hands lost all fine finger use, and arms, neck & shoulders had constant burning tension, with many spasms and triggerpoints.
Blood flow to arms/hands was only cut off and an issue if arms were raised up to shoulder level or higher.

After 2.5 yrs and lot of good PT, expert chiropractor & tons of self care and posture awareness I was able to start doing strenuous activities again.
My top rib had got raised & stuck , so getting than dropped back down was a big improvement, but didn't realize/figure it out for a while..top PT guy fixed that. then chiro maintained it.
Slowly and work up to longer times and back off if pain happens./increases.

I was in my 40s then, now 59, but still can stack hay, drive tractor, rototill, shoot some baskets, carry grand kid around.