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Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Thoracic Outlet Syndrome/Brachial Plexopathy. In Memory Of DeAnne Marie. |
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03-22-2015, 04:22 PM | #1 | ||
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I really appreciate your sharing all this information. I just have this last set of questions...if you would be so kind. Did Dr. G provide any specific direction/advice on how to avoid scar tissue issues or recurrence? Does Dr G do anything specific during the surgery to mitigate scar tissue? Some docs will place an adhesion barrier around the plexus (like seprafilm), while others don't feel it's necessary or prefer not to introduce a foreign substance. And, does Dr G pre-treat or post-treat with any type of anti-inflammatory or steroid to reduce scarring? Some docs will routinely give IV toradol just prior to surgery, or low dose steroid...while others advocate against this for various reasons. Again, I really appreciate all the info...and so happy to hear that you are so much improved!! |
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"Thanks for this!" says: | elap (03-22-2015) |
03-22-2015, 10:45 PM | #2 | ||
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I received IV toradol the second day after surgery. I am not aware of getting one prior to surgery though. I was sent home with narcotic pain meds, 600mg ibuprofen to be taken 3x a day and 10mg of flexeril (muscle relaxant). I followed up with a visit 2 weeks after surgery. At the 2 week mark Dr. G encouraged me to use the right arm. I started PT 3 weeks after surgery. I don't believe Dr. G did anything to avoid scar tissue during the surgery nor did he seem concerned at my subsequent checkups. Dr. G encouraged me to use the arm and seemed more concerned with my energy level then any symptoms I might be experiencing. He said if I did too much and caused additional swelling that my body would let me know (pain, numbness, etc) but not to worry. Just rest and resume activity as tolerated. He was big on using the arm and not just sitting around. Reoccurence of symptoms might happen if the scalene muscles that were detached from my 1st rib attached to my collarbone. If this happens and causes problems than another surgery to detach the scalenes from the collarbone would be required. Dr. G told me not to worry about it. I think that is good advice because I have no control over what my scalenes do or how much scar tissue it's going to develop as a result of the surgery. Worrying about it just takes energy away from healing and keeps me hyper-aware of any lingering symptoms. The hardest thing to get through for me was not feeling the pain anymore. I had been in chronic pain for so long that when it wasn't there anymore, I was in shock. I just couldn't wrap my head around it. It took several months for my brain to catch up with my body. I encourage you to seek out all your options before making a decision because it's a big one. When the time is right, you will make the decision that is best for you. Best Wishes! |
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03-23-2015, 02:20 PM | #3 | ||
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If you were given IV toradol on the second day, I’m guessing you may have also gotten it on the first day, perhaps while you were still under anesthesia. My understanding is that it’s just a stronger anti-inflammatory that helps w/ pain control and inflammation…and thus scarring. Not sure why all docs don’t use it (as long as patient doesn’t have NSAID issues). A few years back, I had a more distal nerve decompression in my arm and the doc also strongly encouraged early, active use of my arm…no sitting around!...and resuming normal activity as soon as tolerated. She further explained that she wanted my arm moving throughout the day (not just in PT sessions!), so that the nerve would be regularly gliding back and forth (and all around) causing the scar to form long and loose --as opposed to tight and constrictive. Sounds like Dr G has a similar philosophy. I’ve been in pain so long now…that I sometimes wonder if it’s even possible to go back. But, seems like you were in a similar situation and certainly sounds like you’ve gotten significant pain relief…which is super encouraging! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. It’s been very helpful. And I wish you much continued success and improvement in your recovery! |
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05-15-2015, 03:38 PM | #4 | ||
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I'm new here, recently diagnosed by Dr Gelabert as well. I had been positive for a few years that I had TOS, but no one would listen to me, so when he did and confirmed the diagnosis, I was in shock!
I'm so happy to hear someone else had good experiences with Dr G as well, it makes me feel better about trusting him for my care. When he gave me a copy of the paperwork for my scalene block, he told me to email him if I hadn't heard back from the other dr in 2 weeks. Of course the other dr didn't get back to me, so I emailed Dr G and heard back from him within the next 2-3 hours. Awesome! Titansophie, is there anything you'd like to pass along about how things might go when I end up having surgery? I've heard the dr is great, but the UCLA system can be a little sluggish. |
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