I haven't had surgery..........so I can't answer that one

I would think the voice recog software will work a lot better as your voice improves as the effects of surgery wear off.

Take Care !

Dear Momz,

I am not a doctor nor do I have enough knowledge to adequately address the issues you raise. However, I am worried for you. I did not have any of the issues you raise, except one, which I'll address below.

ALL of the issues you are bringing up are very, very serious and should be talked over with your doctor, and maybe, I hate to say this, but another doctor, like another surgeon for a second opinion. It is not "bad" to ask your doc if there is another vascular surgeon to check you out for a second opinion, or ask your hospital if they have a patient advocate or other hospital / patient liason to ask if they have another surgeon who can check you out just to make sure things are progressing normally.

That said, swallowing difficulties (which many of us TOSers have from TOS and not related to the surgery) can be caused via surgery due to complications with the "phrenetic nerve." This is a VERY serious situation. Cutting, nicking, damaging, swelling of the phrenetic nerve controls swallowing and breathing, I think.

The whiteness of the hand could have to do with possible blood clotting, as that can block the circulation. So maybe you need to have some MRIs with fluid imaging right away - I don't know, I am just thinking off the cuff here.

Now, when I had surgery, I did have shortness of breath, still do, did before surgery, and it was / is due to "adelectosis" (sp?) which is where parts of the lung stick together because they haven't been pushed to be opened (like any exercise) and / or they were deflated and/or there has been some fluid. I don't know if you've gotten your surgical report, yet, but some of us have a lung that is deflated, some it is merely pushed far to the side, but I think in all of our cases the lungs are screwed with, for lack of a better medical term, during surgery. So the docs told me to really push my lungs open to breathe, and when I first had my surgery (and thereafter) I forced myself to walk the halls with my IVs in hand, many, many times, to fight having fluid collect. So this is another point where your doc(s) need to check those lungs to see if they are clear.

Numbness around an incision (for a small area anyways) is normal, I had it with my cesarean, with my breast surgery and also with the TOS surgery. I also had a burning nerve come down my arm and to my thumb. All went away. A year later I am not numb anywhere on any of those surgical sites. But, to the extent that you describe, well, I don't know if that much area is "ok", or if that is indicating some nerves were bothered / irritated during surgery. My surgery was under the armpit.

The bit thing after surgery is not to make more scar tissue. I was not able to do any PT because I had such high fibro pain going along, and I couldn't travel to / fro the PT. And then you have to be so careful with the kind of PT you have - is it the Edgelow or Butler kind? But if one can do PT it does make one better than those who can't. Is your doc recommending any PT? Both Edgelow and Butler can be ordered via mail.

The only times I had that awful "novocaine" feeling, and it was uncomfortable, was first when I had a scalene block, and then when I had a normal root canal and my tongue / face swelled up like a mess. I think both were a reaction (bad) from lidocaine and marcaine. Can you ask your doc if any "caines" were used in your surgery, which I think anyone with TOS and / or RSD may have reactions to? This is all just stuff I have heard or talked about with other TOSers, and like I said, I'm not a doctor nor do I want to cause you any problems. I'm just adding this for you to consider. And I do care and feel really bothered that you're having so many apparent problems. See, with my surgery, it was the fibro that freaked out, but my arm / hand, TOS symptoms, including headache, all seemed to calm down for at least a year.

Well, that's all I can handle for now, back to bed for me, God bless you and please keep us posted.


Best thoughts and wishes, Tam

Sounds like I my post op.
1. I hurt like my body had endured enough pain until they sent me home in 24 hours post-op without any pain meds. It was a cross between uncontrollable pain and suffering from King Kong running me over until Vicoden was rx'd in. That didn't even touch it and has never since.

2. The muscle in the throat area is in spasms. I complained about this for a year. It finally goes away to a point. I still get it.

NO circulation is scary though. I have that now and its not normal for your hand to be absolutely cold and whit all the time as it is swollen. Swelling means there is injury.

All I can tell you is to get you *** out of bed and move.
Get the circulation flowing to relax the muscles.
You have got to do it!

And then...
Call in the medical troops to do a FULL evaluation!
KEEP A JOURNAL JUST IN CASE.

Throat and voice:
I am suspecting the anesthesiologist maybe used a slightly too large of a tube.
I have learned when I go in for surgeries (TOS post-op 2002) to tell them 2 things: 1. DO NOT HYPER EXTEND MY NECK 2. USE A SMALLER THAN NORMAL TUBE

Your lucky to have Dilaudid
I first was called in Vioxx and Celebrex. THATS IT!

You have only be home a very short time.
Give yourself time.
Do as the surgeon said: NO LIFTING MORE THAN 5 lbds (gallon of milk weighs 10 lbs), opening heavy doors, folding clothing, pulling up, grasping, AND KEEP ARMS AT WAIST HEIGHT.
Most importantly as I said MOVE the body to get the circulation moving.
It has been shocked

Cyn, you and I were posting at the same time - haha, I was going to add not to forget that you, Momz, were untubated for ? hours during surgery, and this can leave you with a sore throat and froggy voice...

BUT, I am not comfortable telling you over the net after surgery what sounds normal or not - I would be happier if you were rechecked by the surgeon or your doc to make sure that all of your issues are "ok" and that you're healing fine.

God bless you on your healing path.

Everyone has brought up good points.

The journal or even just some short notes and a listing of all these things that you have mentioned - so you have them in front of you when you call, or email, or fax the surgeon.

Let him know what is going on and hopefully he can advise you if these are usual or if any steps should be taken.

Have you had any follow up appts yet or is one scheduled?

Momz and Racheal - so glad to hear you both made it through surgery well. Please take care of yourself and take it easy. The healing process is slow but hopefully when you are done you will both feel so much better.

Tshadows advice is great. I also had numbness near the incision site is normal and lasted about a month, as I recall. However I did not experience any of the other symptoms you are having. Make sure to ask your doctor sooner than later.

Do not feel discouraged it you do not feel better right away. It took me up to 1 year to have NO pain. As I have posted, since I felt great I over did many things which caused my set back. The worst was my drive to Disney last year which brought the TOS back. I did 99% of the driving. Very stressful with you husband and 4 children in the car, from NJ to FL. We are going again next month but I will change the driving habits. This time, my daughter, Ryann can help with driving. Plus I will trust my husband to drive alittle without me freaking out. Also, Dr. T gave me good advice for the ride.
But, as I said, don't be discouraged, nerves take a long time to heal. Linda