Please try going to a vascular surgeon that specializes in TOS. It will save you alot of time and money in the long run.
You need a definite diagnosis.
I live in Ohio and had to fly to Denver twice. Drained my IRA to do this but oh well.

thunder, why not go to sorehand (see it in stickies) and do a search for NM. see if a PT or neuro or massage person or anyone comes up with a good referral in your area. You might also want to think about ordering self help PT programs. 2 that I would recommend are Sharon Butler's TOS program that you can order online (see stickies) and Peter Edgelow's program. His comes with a video tape so that you can watch him teach you the exercises. Sharon's pgm is different from her book and has a progression of exercises that will take you through a long process. The book is good too but the the exercise program is current and very specific to TOS.


Still, I am having a hard time finding anyone local to manage my TOS and wonder if that is your case too. Although I can travel to Denver to see a surgeon I would like to have some doctor in my home town to act as my case manager, write scripts, find me a PT... Maybe a neurologist or a physiatrist. I am just out of ideas how to find someone here. I saw a local surgeon here and although he does TOS surgery he has no names for PTs, neuros, etc. If anyone can think of ANY suggestions please let me know!

well mine died yesterday and had to go out with dh and get a new one.... It is so nice and it is always in my chair too Jo.....I had a laugh when reading your post......

I really can't live without it...first thing I do in am ( I do one other thing first.p o t t y ) but then b'fst is taken on the heating pad!!!!

and Epsom salts in the bath are great as they remove lactic acid from your muscles and it is great for your skin and if your tub is deep enough...it will help you float if you put enough in....I use about a cup or 2 and add some lavender essential oil about 30 drops and maybe some patchouli as it is good for eczema.....sorry tangent......but I do love a good bath and practically live in my half hour shower and LOVE the massage head for my back and neck so I sit to shave my legs and let the massage do it;s work...and while I clean the tub too......lol.....

k enough now I guess.

love and hugs,
Victoria

Far infrared heating pad-sounds great but it is so expensive I cannot afford it.

This is the guy I should have seen a long time ago. He did all kinds of tests and had me put arms over head and tested pulse etc.... He said 1 of my arteries is being pressed on somewhere affecting my left arm. Probably muscular related since muscle relaxers and heat help. Most likely in my neck since the ultrasound on my shoulder/thoracic area showed nothing. So tired of tests showing nothing! At least he confirmed a little bit for me. Just recommended some exercises and said maybe one day it will show it self off more. Funny because I felt horrible in the waiting room and had trouble breathing. I felt fine during the tests. But most of the tests are kinda of stretches. When I stretch out it does feel a little better at times. Anyway, he had me make a fist and put his fingers on the 2 veins going into my palm. Then let go of 1 and the blood returned to my hand. Then did the other vein which showed irregular since the blood didn't return to my hand. Meaning an artery or vein is being pushed on somewhere. Wish I knew where or how to fix it. I'm assume at the same place a nerve is in there. When I stretch over an exercise ball it feels like something is kinked up in my back and in my arm. Like plucking a guitar string and I get numb. Ok, Enough about me

Anyway, thought I would update.

He didn't suggest any kind of PT or anything?? GGR {my opinion}

Have you found Sharon Butlers RSI book in the library??
or check her website
www.selfcare4rsi.com
she explains about how tissues can become sticky and impinge on blood flow and/or nerves - some of her simple stretches may really be what you can use to make some improvements.
Her key word is "gentle" stretches baby steps - just a hint of a stretch is all you need to do but many times a day and gradually you will see positives.

It's something simple to do at home and only the cost of her book ,or a library card or her website program {29.95??}
she posts occasionally on the sore hand listserver and her older posts are in the archives there.
You can also do a forum search here on her name- we have some good threads/posts about her program/stretches.

well, if there IS no good PT, it won't help anyhow...but feldenkrais, hellerwork, and myofascial release massage are good choices.

sometimes you can find feldenkrais practitioners who are alos PT's, and you can get it covered with insurance,
check out www.feldenkrais.com i think...