After three cts surgeries , I found a new doctor who did first complete emg and found very bad brachial plexus(TOS) and ulnar,median,radial problems along with cts. I finally got approval for the plexus disorder/nerve root problems but still awaiting therapy. My concern is I can no longer raise my arm above my head or reach straight out. If I do reach for something quickly the pain is a 10 excuritating. It fades slowly, has anyone else had the lack of range of motion and this severe pain when using arm. I'm also afraid it will worsen even more. Is this possible? I have some minor pain medicine I will take at times. Even writing this hurts the back of my hand.

sorry we had to meet like this my dear fellow!

it sounds like you had better pull up a chair and do some reading. see the stickys up top? loaded with more than you ever wanted to know about thoracic whatlet? syndrome...

hey, i sincerely hope you'll join the site and hang around the TOS forum to learn more and hear others' stories.

i think you've already earned your seat...

it is very hard to find a good, knowledgeable PT who knows how to work with an injury like this one. TOS can be a difficult taskmaster, my friend, to say the least.

what part of the country are you in? maybe we can help you find someone most excellent.

another good person to add to your treatment team would be a bodyworker of some sort. there are several options and a few have national networks, which make the process of finding a master practitioner a bit easier. i am speaking of hellerwork, alexander technique, feldenkrais, muscle activation technique practitioners and the like.

but one step at a time, OK? others will be along shortly to welcome you and to chime in with suggestions and to put up links for you (which i suck at).

i'm sorry this is happening to you but glad you have found us. i think you'll find that you'll be able to get some answers now that you finally have an accurate dx. the floodgates are about to open! look out.

i wish you the best of luck on your journey. pick up a few icepacks if you don't already have some - they're my "woobies" and i don't travel far without them... CVS has a good one on sale right now actually which you can use cold or hot (microwavable). it's made by thermionics, called thermipaq, costs around $15. i ice my brachial plexus, neck, shoulder, forearm, hand, whatever's flaring...

be good to that arm, now, and don't do anything that causes pain or nerve symptoms. but i wouldn't use an immobilizer or a sling, either, as you don't want to end up with a "frozen shoulder." this is a sticky wicket i'm afraid, but there are lots and lots of things for you to try. lurk, read, post as you are comfortable. we are all more than happy to help you. we need you just as much as you need us, so i do hope you'll stay.

you won't be bored here, of that i am pretty sure!

alison

yes yes and yes?

the longer you have had compression the longer it can take to heal, is the general rule. If you have very severe compression, sometimes it will never get competely better. It is very individual, though. SO I don't think any of us could give you a good answer. TOS surgery success is defined as "50% or greater reduction in symptoms" so one way to look at it is that you will probably always have to be careful, but good PT, or in some cases surgery, can make a big improvement and help you feel a LOT better.

PT and other modalities:
try PT for a while, but look hard for a PT that is qualified to treat TOS. THey are few and far between. Concentrate on some myofascial release, ultrasound, electostimulation, soft tissue mobilization... and be GENTLE GENTLE GENTLE on yourself. pain=you did too much. Now, sometimes, of course, you have to live your life and get through the day, most of us can't make it without doing things that cause us pain, buit do your very best to avoid things like raising your arm quickly. You should be working to get very gently to the end of your range of motion and ever so slightly past it, just to the point of stretch, not pain. DO not let any PT start you on strengthening exercises or other activities that hurt you or make you feel worse!!!

there are hundreds or resources on the stickes and the wonderful people on this forum. and they will chime in as well i am sure.

If PT does not help you, there is the option of TOS surgery, but the success rate is not huge. You really want to try some good PT first for probably at least 6 mo.

Pain Control:
As for pain, is is really important that you give your body a chance once in a while to NOT feel pain. Ask for enough medicine at the very least to sleep comfortably (as this will make EVERYTHING better) and more for during the day if you absolutely have to do things. It is very very difficult to be in pain all the time, and there is no reason for you to have to be that way, in fact it is your RIGHT to have enough pain medicine to not feel miserable!!!!! So stick up for yourself, there.

SOrry you have to find us under these circumstances...but this is a fantastic group of poeple who can help you sort out your TOS questions...a WEALTH of experience and suggestions!!!

Hope I am not scaring you with this. It can be overwhelming to find out that something is never going to go away. I know that finding this board and reading the experiences of the people here was very difficult for me in the beginning. Keep your chin up, and be thrilled that someone has helped you find the correct dx...k?

Johanna

see, i told you others would chime in..ALison is the welcome wagon

Thank you Allison and Johanna,

Just last night I was playing with the dog and tried to get the toy from him but he didn't let go and my arm flew backwards. The pain was so intense it made my eyes water. Thankfully, it calmed down after a while. But the intensity was unbelievable, I yelled out. Still a bit sore today. I have a generic Daviset that I only take on bad pain days. It helps.

I am in New Jersey? Pennsylvania area and have a good dr. now. The first one had three minute visits. quick to operate and never looked for causes other then cts. Always was mad when cts showed up again on EMG's after surgery.
Was battle to get owcp to accept plexus disorder, but they did after thier dr. agreed with it.

Brachial plexus was 51 mg/s on first thorough emg. about five months ago. Is that really bad? I think 70 is normal.

Thank you again for your quick responses

Hello,
Have you have xrays or MRI of the cervical spine and thoracic spine?
These help to rule out other issues that can cause arm pain.

I'll post the useful sticky link for you-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=84

If you have even had whiplash, concussion, or any upper body hit, fall or sport injury you might consider getting a evaluation by a expert chiropractor. If a head/neck hit maybe by one that specializes in the C1/C2 cervical adjustment.
sounds scary- but I have had it done and it is very gentle and painless.
the first post in the stickys has a section with chiro info sites.
Take the time to find a very expert and knowledgeable DC - but this applies to most anything anymore.....
My DC does PT type treatments also and is partners with a massage/PT therapist.

Hello and welcome,
I've pretty much had the same experiences you describe. But I have never nor would I ever do that with a dog. I hurt just thinking of the tugging
I wish you the best in finding a treatment that works for you and for relief of your pain.
Hope

Never do ANYTHING that creates immediate pain.
"No pain, no gain" is NOT part of the everyday life of TOS.
Chronic pain specialists say it takes up to 18 hours after you have done something too much to go into a flare.
So, immediate pain is a NO NO...