Hi I am new to this forum I used be on Brain talk..to get to the point I have been having problems since the ealy 90's.I am a dental hygienist or was for 20+ yrs. I have been disabled since Jan 2004 and am presently on Social Security disability and fight WA State depart of Labor and Industries to reinstate my pay as the cut me of 14 mos.ago because of an IME that was not an honest write up concerning my situation.I have bilat-TOS with bilat-carpule tunnel and ulnar nerve irritation.My TOS is neurogenic however with that and is common I had a vascular workup that shows I have severe compresion of ateries and veins on the left and mod on the right. Bu this does not mean I have vascular tos it does however prove the nerves as well as the blood flow are being compomised.I started having abnormal EMG studies of the muscles in my left hand in 2002 very slight almost insignificant.with in 9 mos it showed in bboth hands. I knowhave atrophy in both my hands. The state won't allow surgery until thee is 50 percent nerve damage and I am told this type of TOS that doesn't happen mean while the pain is severe unless I absolutely do nothing but lay around.But as soon I start doing anything I suffer for it.I have severe headaches 3-4 x a week where I have to take migraine meds for and I almost always know when I am going to have them because my neck is sp tight and painful. I am having a new IME on the 21st as the state are not recognizing the neck pain ans part of this disorder and on the 21st of Sept I have mediation hearing concerning the headaches as the state doesn't recognize those as well. I am trying to get as much documentation to take to bothe appoints concerning neck pain and TOS and Headaches and TOS.If there are any Dental Hygienist out there with this disorder who has documentation of not just TOS butalos neck injuries being associated with our proffesion that I could give to the IME docs t would really be appreciated.I was just notified on Friday this exam is the 21st and that is only a little over a week away.Anyone with TOS in WA State there is agreat doc at Swidish!!In Seattle!!! Thanks good luck to all who suffer with this debilitating disorder.

I had my TOS surgery.....it will be 2 years in September, and I have never regretted it.

I was in so much pain. My hand was constantly turning blue and was swollen.

I felt relief immediately after it was over.

Am I completely cured? No.

If I am not careful, I do have flares (no blueness or swelling), but just muscle tightness in shoulder and sometimes throbbing down the arm.

But, nothing like I was before surgery. I have so much of my life back.

Now, will that surgery do the same for someone else? It will just depend on that person.

I would ask the surgeon doing the surgery what will be the chances that the surgery could make it worse. That may help you in your decision.

I was happy for any relief.

Peggy

ladybird1957 ,
I copied your post to a new thread so everyone can say hello and reply to you there.

here's the link to it-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ad.php?t=25802

Melissa,

I am assuming you don't still need the article??? if you do PM me

hugs,
Victoria

Mellissa,

I know this post is a few years old but I'm hoping your still on here! I have a crevical rib as well going to see Dr. Molina on Tuesday, and I am desperatly seeking patient feedback about him! Did you get the surgery? How did you like Dr. Molina? I've searched everywhere and the one thing I know is Dr. Molina is a very smart man, publications, studies regarding TOS and Cervical rib resection on the NIH website. But, Im scared this may sound Biased but, hes 76, I just hope he is still very much capable.