I'm curious as to what sort of shape everyone was in before they developed TOS. I know I personally rarely exercised, maybe jogging occassionally, going on lots of walks... but even then, I wasn't in very good shape. How was everyone else? I'd say on a scale of 1-10, 1 being obese and/or sickly, and 10 being an olymplic athlete, I'd probably say I was around 4 or 5 for health. I was never overweight, but Ive always felt kind of weak. Ive had a hard time doing things like exercise because I exhaust almost instantly. That isn't to say that I refrain from doing anything, but, that, rather than derive enjoyment out of them I usually wind up outa breath most of the time ;-)

I was hammering the other day and my symptoms went down after I developed a sweat. I also went on a 3 hour hike yesterday and by the time I was making my way back, my arm felt pretty awesome.

I'd say i was in fairly good shape for a mid 40s woman.
{farm girl/tomboy all my life}
slightly over weight but still quite strong and agile.
I was faster and stronger than many of my younger coworkers.
Probably my undoing

Hi,
prior to my surgery I was in a lot of pain and pretty poor shape...before injury I was about an 8 or a 7 pre surgery I was about a 4....weak and poor cardio as well as unable to do physio and exercise even to walk....

thanks,
Victoria

Before my injury, I was an active mother of 3 young children running a business out of our home. No structured exercise just bringing laundry up and down 4 flights of stairs each day and caring for everyone. No great diet, maybe 15 pounds over weight. After diagnosis and prior to surgery, no exercise, probably still alittle overweight but not too much. Too sick to really eat very often. Recently, due to return of pain I've lost 20 lbs. No exercise, just don't eat. It's not good. I definitely am happy the weight is gone. I'm about at the number I should be but not in shape.

Thanks, Linda

I am now fitting into my size four clothes I wore when I could run 5km in 20 mins and lift my weights four times a week as well as work full time work on my degree full time and have a guy and a very dysfunctional family that I basically kept together .....I was 135lbs and rock hard size four now I am a flabby four and can't keep weight on I am lucky to eat enough to keep at this weight.l.....nausea pain and worried about health being over weight without being able to work it off again.....thanks for making me feel like I am not the only one!! I can't keep my clothes from falling off and belts suck now too much fabric in the pants and shirts I look like I am anorexic....soooooo not!!!!

thanks for that rant and vent!!!

love and hugs,
Victoria

Show of hands- who wants to smack Victoria for being a size 4?
Unfortunately I don't have the problem of my clothes falling off....

that was a sarcastic thanks...nobody wants to see my fentanyl patch falling off as my pants fall to my knees.....lol

LOL, hubby has the same problem because he refuses to wear a belt- he's had a few close calls when his denim shorts have almost come down....in the middle of a store....I would've just kept on walking....

so, since being diagnosed with TOS, who has changed their eating habits, started exercising regularly, and changed their desk ergonomics? The three Eeeeeeeeeez, as I see it. For me, over the past 4 years, that's been crucial. I don't smoke or drink soda or eat doritos or any junk food [very often ;-) ] ... I try and exercise for 15 minutes each morning, and then for 90 minutes once or twice a week. Ive also, and still am changing my desk around. I'm about to invest in one of those "balance ball" chairs and maybe a more natural keyboard. I had a kinesis keyboard for a few years which helped a ton with the arm symptoms, but, I ended up selling it because for some applications it was really ackward.

in high school, i was an athlete (2 sports) and in very good shape. Hurt lower back my senior year, so my activity slowed way down. Stayed active in college with intramural sports. After college, activity slowed again because I was working 2 jobs. 2 years after college I had my car accident w/ whiplash injury, and health has declined since then. less exercise, more weight, along with neck pain. but still helped hubby with remodeling house and landscaping yard. 3 years ago, developed numbness and pain in hands/arms, so exercise decreased again, and weight increased. I am the heaviest I have ever been right now, but this year i have done little more than housework. sx too exacerbated by anthing else. I did do yoga on and off, but had to stop a couple of months ago. I could walk, but i don't because it's very hot and humid right now in SC. now that surgery is over, i plan to get on the right track. with my rehab i hope will come a habit of more exercise and getting back into shape.

Desk is ergonomically good; eating habits good; just very little exercise.