[jaldridge6]

Hello all, first post so I'll start with an introduction.

About 4 years ago I start getting RSI like symptoms on the right side of my body. My back would ache all the way up to the right side of my neck. my right arm would tingle and burn and I'd find it hard to sit in front of the computer or play piano for more than 10 minutes at a time. Anyways, so, I didn't go to a doctor about it. Part of why that is, I read a lot of books about RSI and it seemed there was a lot of unnecessary surgeries and such. I would up just trying to eat healthier and exercise more. I took up swimming for a while. I do bikram yoga now, which may or may not be good for TOS.

Shoot ahead 4 years... I recently said enough is enough. My symptoms havent worsened over the years. Its more of a day to day thing... somedays its manageable, others I cant do much more than lie in bed. So, first I went to a homeopathic doctor which turned out to not be the solution I was happy with. He just put me on a really restricted diet and charged me a fortune. After 3 weeks of the 6 week diet I decided I'd better see an RSI specialist. Not really sure of my type of RSI, but confident that my symptoms sort of matched TOS, I called up a thoracic surgeon in my area. I went in and talked to him and he did a few tests. The most notable was that I held up my right arm and it produced a lack of color or something similar. He sent me to see a neurologist, too, and Im waiting to hear back from him.... The thoracic doctor also gave me a prescription for a MRI and xray. My insurance won't cover it [Im unemployed, but my parents got me insurance about a year ago]... so, I'm stuck with the bill, which will be about $800.

What I'm wondering is if I jumped the gun to quick by seeing this thoracic doctor. I dont have a primary care physician because I just moved to Santa Ana and my old one is far away. The thoracic doctor I'm seeing seems.... well, uninterested and detached from my problems. I felt like I was talking to a wall when I was at my last appointment. He didn't do what I felt was a very thorough analysis. It didn't seem like he really gave a damn. I feel very suspicious in that I am worried he'll just end up recommending surgery which is probably the last thing I'm willing to try [Ive read too many horror stories]...

I'm taking Alexander Technique classes for 2 weeks now. I want to start with a physical therapist... maybe myofascial release or cranio sacral therapy. I think I can get fixed without surgery. Ive experienced moments of "no pain"... if that makes sense. I also notice relaxing and sometimes talking about things that stress me out seem to help my symptoms quite a lot... so that's the whole mind/body or fibromyalgia side of things.

I'm confused. I'm not sure if I should go through with the MRI/Xray or not or if I should use what little money I have to see a PT and posture specialist. Any recommendations or advice would be very appreciated.

thank you,
James