dear sweet fern:

I saw on a different thread that you had a breast reduction surgery and felt really alone in that not many people here noticed.

(Then a lot of people noticed and posted there.)

Sometimes once I've seen a thread and commented, and read a few responses, I don't go back, as the thread gets too detailed or personal...

I don't think I ever, ever saw your post about the reduction!

One - reduction is a MAJOR surgery and I am glad that yours went so well and that you're recovering well.

Two - I am glad that there were no TOS problems with it - i.e. blood clots!

Three - I had one PT BLAME my TOS on my reduction that I had back in 87. I doubted that a surgery that never had any complications could do that, so beware of that sort of talk.

Four - Yes, we DO LOVE YOU here - you're an important part of this community and I'm sorry you felt alone and left out!!!

I posted this so people would definitely see and respond to this one! Hahaha...no hiding on this one!

God bless you Fern and I look forward to hearing more from you soon...

Tam

Thank You So Much Tam! I really do appreciate everyone's good wishes. I guess I was feeling bad as I was having a hard time with my given family and feeling a lot of stress. So when I was finally able to go online I was hoping for some positive communication w/my TOS group. Now I will know to be attentive enough to start my own thread. I do appreciate everyone's support on the forum. And, well, now that I had the good sense to return to my own home, even though I could have benefited from my mom's continued care, I feel so much better!

Tam--re: your commment "Three - I had one PT BLAME my TOS on my reduction that I had back in 87. I doubted that a surgery that never had any complications could do that, so beware of that sort of talk."
This is so interesting to me. I've had some medical sorts try to blame my TOS on my large chest but other experts like Peter Edgelow and Dr. Newkirk told me to expect a maximum of 5% less TOS with a reduction. Funny isn't it that unknowledgeable people can blame the reduction surgery OR the womens chest for causing TOS!

I actually had a second surgery at the same time as the reduction, in order to make more room for the axillary rib removal/s. Some weird genetic anomolly. So I have 4 incisions to contend with instead of the usual 2. I can't stretch out my arms and need to keep them by my side for the time being. But everything is going well and I am able to walk around the block with my hands in my pockets and arms glued to my sides! Yippee-- being outside in nature and keeping my body moving is something that really recharges my batteries.

OK, now I'm not sure where to post about my surgery so I will do so here. If not right someone pls correct me.

I have had a terrible headache that started about 3 days post surgery. I asked the plastic surgeon about it at 5 days and he said--"not my territory, must be due to your other conditions". But then I asked his nurse who told me that a LOT of wmn have a really bad headache and that it could be due to anesthesia or meds or the surgery or whatever. At 6 days, when I reutrned to my quiet home I noticed a loud buzzing sound in my head. Then at 7 days post surgery I had a very heavy car trunk come down on the back of my neck just below the occiput. Since then the headache has grown to include the front of my skull too--incl. sinuses, jaw, eyes, cheecks, teeth area... Now I'm at 9 days post-op and the headache has subsided some but it's still bad. The noise is still there. I know that it is partly muscular from my tight neck, shoulders, jaw, etc. and maybe it is partly medicine related, whether anesthesia or oral meds.

I am taking fish oil instead of anti-inflamatories now as my stomach ODed on them. I'm on less meds but they are Lyrica and Lidderm and also ice-packs, Tylenol, Vicodin and occassional Flexaril. I'm taking in extra fluids in order to release all the toxins from my body. My "stop-gap" doctor (still no treating doctor) suggested massage but my body with all of it's many stitches is not ready for any kind of pulling on the skin. If anyone has any suggestions for reducing the headache I would LOVE to hear them.

That's a hard one cuz first off, the Vicodin causes a recurring headache in many patients. Yes, anesthesia can give you a few days' headache, or positioning while in surgery. Flexeril definitely has on occasion given me a rebound headache after it wears off.

At day 6, the loud buzzing - and I am not a doctor - but for me, that means I am in an inflammatory mode MAX., but did you have ANY of this prior to surgery?

I am shocked that you were hit by a car hood on Day 7. I was just talking ot a TOSer and said, "watch out after surgery (rib removal, etc.) to NOT fall or get into an accident, etc., as the goal is to heal as much as possible with as little scar tissue and it surprises me how many people get in accidents right after surgery." So there again, you have this accident, and it's got to have some negative effect I would think - but I do hope no permanent damage.

Definitely all points to sit face-to-face with the surgical doc / TOS doc and talk it over!

P.S. I do hope you're monitoring your blood sugar levels with the Lyrica - having it drawn every month or so? Look at the results - I found my own diabetes when I had three months at 500, and the TOS docs ignored it. Just fyi.

that car trunk lid hitting you in the back of the head- wow.
After your stitches heal I might think chiro, osteopath, or spinal specialist PT type of care. To make sure the vertebra are aligned.
esp if the symptoms continue and worsen.

Fern- just wanted to reiterate that I (along with many others) have been stressed and/or flared all week....I DO hope you are recovering well.

I think a reduction is a great thing to do if you have large breasts and TOS, it should relieve at least some of the pulling down on your shoulders. I DO hope it offers you some relief And so sorry not to have given you more well wished beforehand.

*hugs*
Johanna