I had my PT Evaluation done today. The head Dr. of the pain management center sat down and spoke with me for 45 min. Get this... he does NOT agree with the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and actually said he was very disgusted and was going to speak to the Doc that told me that was what I had. He said that he NEVER should have even mentioned it to me. He wholeheartedly does not agree that's what I have and he apologized on behalf of the other doc.

He spoke with me about all my other tests I had already had done before I came to pain management and even explained my mri of the neck in much greater detail to me than my neuro did. And he also informed me that my neuro and the doc who performed my emg did not do it correctly as they should have done both arms so they would have something to compare the affected arm (at the time it was only the left) to. Again, he was upset with how my neuro treated me and apologized that I even had to deal with someone not listening to me the way they should have.

Anyway, his diagnosis?

-Radiculopathy of the Cervical Spine AND Thoracic Outlet!

Not "Thoracic Outlet Syndrome" but hey! We're SO MUCH closer now!!

I have to have PT 3 times a week for 1 month. He said I might also benefit from Trigger Point Injections in my upper back. If after one month I don't feel any or much better they will do spine manipulation and if after that? More EMG testing and so on.

Phew! I feel SO MUCH better knowing I don't have Fibro! And because I feel I finally found a Doc who cares and is trying to help me! I could not be any happier!!

And I truly thank all of you for your information, advice and support! I appreciate it all so much!!

That is so great - fingers crossed that the PT goes very well for you- if any problems at all speak up as soon as /if you notice any pain increases.
Hopefully you will have plenty of time to chat about your symptoms and things to "pick" the brain and experience of the PT person.

Congrats on getting the Dx. I also feel I have cerv radic and the TOS is secondary, but have not had that Dx yet. Can you post the name and # of your pain doc? Perhaps he is in my area or knows someone in my area.

Thanks.

WHAT IS YOUR AREA? Its not posted on your profile.
We have an bundle of expert patient's here on where to send you.

See my other post on Southern Calif docs?

If you look at the top of the TOS forum you will see "stickies"
It shows docs from every state

I live in Long Beach.
What does radiculopathy of the Thoracic Outlet mean?

Being in Long Beach
You are lucky...
A couple of VERY good treating physicians:

Dr. Jordan
Dr. Agnew

I think they meant it as 2 things
1- Radiculopathy of the Cervical Spine
2 - Thoracic Outlet

Cervical Radiculopathy
[Cervical radiculopathy is a dysfunction of a nerve root of the cervical spine. The seventh (C7; 60%) and sixth (C6; 25%) cervical nerve roots are the most commonly affected.

In the younger population, cervical radiculopathy is a result of a disk herniation or an acute injury causing foraminal impingement of an exiting nerve. In the older patient, cervical radiculopathy often is a result of foraminal narrowing from osteophyte formation. Factors associated with increased risk include heavy manual labor requiring lifting of more than 25 pounds, smoking, and driving or operating vibrating equipment. The purpose of this article is to provide information on the presentation, evaluation, differential diagnosis, and treatment of cervical radiculopathy.]

http://www.emedicine.com/SPORTS/topic21.htm

Missa,

So happy for you that you seem to have a Dr. who is willing to listen to you! Good luck with the PT, and definitely let the doc know if it causes more pain!

Sue