LOVE the pup!
We'll have to call you SPANKY now.
Geesch, Your poor hands.
Feel so bad for you

Dabbo, yes PARTY HARTY I say. We deserve some serious laughs & embarassing moments. Ur so funny.
Cyndy

Hey there everyone !!
I love the thought of Infra red .. I definitely will have to check into that !

And I am glad that the Botox is helping so many of you ! Olecyn, Dabbo.. glad to know it works !!

Me ?? Well my best thing I have is one of those buckwheat neck and shoulder pads that heat up in the microwave.. I love that thing ( It's getting old too , time to find another one ) . And I make sure I do stretching and pulleys at least once a day for 15-20 mins. and so far the left shoulder is holding it's own !!

Mark.. I love Daisy !!!!!! She is sooooo cute ! How old is she ?? I'm happy for you MF. sorry about you hand ! .... Well I hope EVERYONE has a pain free weekend you all deserve it !!


Hugs....

Dolfinz

One more thing (and its usually free .. WOOHOO!) that really works for me is distraction. It's easier said than done, and it ****** me off when someone with an attitude of 'its all in your head' or 'you're blowing it out of proportion' says to "just take your mind off it." ANyways- sorry for the rant - if you are able to distract yourself (movies, books, music, chatting, etc etc) that should help you feel better.

I agree Dabbo... When I push myself to do something I usually get some Jewelry done.. so far this week I have made 5 pendants and 10 pairs of earrings.... Does that mean I am REALLY distracted ???????

Hope everyone has a good day today !

Dolfinz

I distract myself with making my cards and scrapbooking as well as makng my ATC's. It is however a problem....It causes me more pain and I should not be doing it...however it does distract my mind and I'd go insane without it. More of a mental help than anything else.

thanks for the tips guys...
love and hugs,
Victoria

Master P taught me a new one a couple of weeks ago to get my mind off the pain:

I turned on my calming music & he told me to visualize bitting into to the most juicy apple with all the juices flowing, your taste buds are enhightend along with the sweetness of the apple. Slowly vision biting another piece. It so worked. Sounds hokey, huh? But it so so worked. Now I know I need to focus on something other than the pain. Something wonderful.

Another one he taught me is:
When I go down for a flare as I am shivering in pain, cold yet hot, breathing rapidly, can't walk or move as I want to call 911 to get to the ER for morphine. Again, put on the calming music, a cool wash cloth on my forehead & back of neck, & made me vision riding the recumbent sationary bike to get the circulation flowing. It worked.

*Dr. Jordan is adamant about not rewarding the system with drugs but using them as preventative. Not only is ride the bike daily needed for us chronic pain patients but when you are in severe pain. It gets the blood flowing to the craving areas starving for circulation. Make sense? It didnt to me but it does now that I use his methods.
Cyn

11-25-08

8 years+ of experience with TOS with scalene involvement, bilaterally; cervical and lumbar herniated and bulging discs, and some other things.

(MVA May 1992 - cervical and lumbar herniated discs. MVA 10-11-2000 TOS with scalenes; a few more, and a worsening of my preexisting condition, herniated and bulging discs and some other things.)

I have come to grade things as positive (P) or negative (N) for my conditions.

Here goes...

1) Kinesio Tape (P) - (Did you watch the US Olympics Volleyball Team? The black stuff on her shoulder was Kinesio Tape. It's a Japanese or Chinese taping technique. It promotes healing. It's used to retrain overstressed/ injured muscles, ligaments and tendons. Good to use for posture.);

2) Botox X3, Bilaterally (P) - (2005) - (It did help but it causes droopy eyelids. For the relief it gave me, it was a fair trade. Be cautious here. Outcome is irreversible - good, bad or ugly.);

3) Medication (P&N) - (Tried different meds at various times. Lidoderm Patches 5% is a nonnarcotic topical pain patch. It worked for me. I got great relief. I hear there's a new nonnarcotic pain patch with an anti-inflammatory, Flector. Ummmm...... improved.);

4) Horse Liniment (P&N) - (Prescribed by my cardiothoracic surgeon, believe it or not, and he made my insurance pay for it - $20. It was an adjunct therapy with Lidoderm Patches. I was supposed to take a Q-Tip and apply it to my TOS area (I needed a gallon and a paint brush) - or other areas - wear liniment for 12 hours - shower and then apply the Lidoderm Patch to the area. The theory was: The Horse Liniment would ease my pain but would also open up my pores so as to allow the Lidoderm medicine to penetrate better. The patch was a 12-hour patch. I found I could reuse the patches on my wrists, forearms and thumbs. Still had med in it the next day.);

5) Physical Therapy (P);

6) ASTM (Augmented Soft Tissue Mobilization) (N) (In 2003 -New Treatment Modality program - several times a week for I forgot how many weeks - administered by PT. Very painful with lots of brusing. He was a good therapist. He was my therapist after both accidents (1992 accident for 6 weeks - 2000 accident, in and out from 2000 till 2003). I was not progressing there. After ASTM failed to improve, he referred me to a therapist that did Myofascial Release.);

7) Myofascial Release (PX5) - (You need that.) (Yes, she is a great therapist.);

8) Yoga and/or Meditation (P) - (Just try it. You can work up to downward-facing dog.);

9) Exercise (P) - (It's good for the rest of your body, too. TOS will probably not be the only medical condition you face in life.);

10) Aqua Therapy (P);

11) Stretches and/or Strengthening (P) - (You've got to be faithful and do it before it will work, adjusting as you progress. Start somewhere.) ;

12) Breathing Techniques (P) - (Taking 3 deep breathes helps release the tightness in my chest and upper body. Sitting up straight is better but not necessary. Breathe in (inhale) deep, expanding your abdomen slowly and in a controlled manner, through your nose, with your mouth closed. Blow out (exhale) by pursing your lips and blowing out slowly and controlled while deflating your abdomen.);

13) Water (P) (The more you drank, the more you should drank.);

14) Vitamins (P) - (I don't take a multivitam - it gives me appetite. I take Vit Bs, even sublingual form, Vit C, D, Folic Acid, Fish Oil a must):

15) TheraCane (P) - (I saw a model on this site that you use with your foot rather than applying pressure using your hands. I like my model, but that would be better.);

16) E-Stim (P);

17) Spine Alignment Board (P) - (For cervical and thoracic area of my spine. May promote collateral blood supply. PT has them. I bought this one on QVC for under $20. It can be adjusted as you progress. Opens up your pecs.);

18) Light Therapy (P) - (A tool that I found that helps restore function and reduces pain.) - (May be selling these as a second (forced change) career.)

19) Slankets (P) - (Wish I'd thought of that. Blankets with sleeves. Keeping my upper body warm and cozy reduces pain - priceless);

20) Moist Heating Pad (P) - (Too much heat promotes swelling. I find keeping my upper body warm and cozy works better.);

21) Epidurals X3 (PX10) - (2006) (If it's recommended, don't put it off. It took three different - independent of each other - pain management doctors to convience me I needed that. Not 1, not 2, but I had to commit to 3. On the 3rd one, I got relief in my back, neck, arms, hands... lasting relief);

22) Steroid Injections in my Thumb (P) - (2007) (You can only have a couple in your thumb. Any more and you risk tearing the tendon maybe beyond repair.);

23) Oversize Tennis Balls (P) (Wal-Mart sporting goods section);

24) 3" Balloons (P) - (I placed them in my armpit for relief);

25) Laser Hair Removal (P) - (Only works on dark hair.) - I also underwent electrolysis for stray hairs) (Expensive, but I'm worth it.);

26) Adjustable Hairdryer Stand (PX5) - (a must have);

27) Reachers and Grabbers (P) - (I'm sure they're called something else - Wal-Mart has the Gopher - good for heavier things in cabinets and on the floor. Get an order and your Ins may pay for it.);

28) Erognomics (P) - (You need that anyway);

29) Telephone Headset and/or Bluetooth (P) - (For hands free talking);

30) Work (P) - (Work is good therapy... not to mention you need money to treat and living expenses. Life keeps coming at you);

31) Articulating Arm Supports (P) I use these at my computer work station;

32) 1-2 Wine Coolers Before Bedtime, Occasionally (P) - (Not a drinker but it helps.);

33) Pillows, neckbone pillows, all sizes of pillows (P) - (Everybody's figured that one out. I live in a nest of pillows.);

34) Wrist splints with Thumb Spicas (P)

35) Driver & Errand Runner (P) - (The less you do, the less pain you'll have.);

36) Buy Smaller Size and Quanty (P) - (easier to manage)

37) Front Loading Washer and Dryer (P) - (With a built up platform for your appropriate height, with cut out holes for laundry baskets you can use your foot to pull out or push in. One under the washer for dirty clothes. One under the dryer for clean clothes. Hubby can fold and put away... sometimes.);

38) Stellate Ganglion Injections, Bilaterally (N) - (At this time, 2004, I was in so much pain it was overload. I had more pain, numbness and tingling for 2 days. Other than that, couldn't tell any improvement.)

39) Silicone Potholder and/or Adjustable Rubber Bottle and Jar Opener (P) - (Wal-Mart - The potholder I have is shaped like a kidney, with graduated dots/bumps/knobs. Works as a bottle/jar gripper to help open things. Also good for #32)

40) "OneTouch" Can Opener (N) - (Still couldn't grip and press the button. Not TOS-friendly. Wal-Mart);

41) Sleeping with my elbows straight (P) - (Found that on this site. Thanks fellow TOSer.);

42) Ice Packs (P) (If it swells, slap ice on it. It is a good treatment, too. During the course of a day you can alternate heat and ice. Don't leave ice on too long - 10 to 20 minutes. The 1 part alcohol and 2 part water is a great idea. Thanks to ya fellow TOSer.);

43) Hot Showers (P) - I run my water heater dry - actually blew one up. Got a bigger one.);

44) Absorbant Robes and Towels (P) - (So you don't have to use your arms to dry off.);

45) Yogurt (P) - (Your gastrointestional tract will love you for it. Meds and less activity causes constipation. #13 helps with that too.);

46) A good doctor with knowledge and expertise in TOS is a must - Keep searching if you haven't found the right doctor for you. I found Dr. Atasoy in March 2004. Surgery was recommended but have opted not to as long as I think I can improve without it. He still helped me in other ways. I had many visits.);

47) Shoulder Injection (N) - (Couldn't tell it helped anything. Didn't hurt anything, though.)

48) Detox stuff like at GNC (P) - (It makes me feel a little better, overall.);

49) Vestibular Rehabilitation (P) - (For balance) (I did not have good balance the morning after the accident -- actually when I got up out of bed, I had baaaaad balance. Smacked into the wall on the left side for 14 months. Muscle relaxer helped that condition, too. Scalenes and cervical muscle spasms - I had been refusing muscle relaxers for about a year and it took another month or so for them to take effect, I guess. Vestibular Rehab consisted of a home exercise program - pages of exercises, with instructions. Taping a exercise sheet to one side of the wall and another sheet of paper on the adjoining wall - in a seated position - focus and move head as instructed. Been a while but it helped.);

50) Determination (P);

51) Prayer (P) - (It's not that I thought of this last. just wanted to leave you a lasting thought.)

Now that it is freezing up here in the mountains of colorado and my bum right arm goes completely numb in the cold when Im snowboarding and nordic skiing - thanks to venous TOS and my stupid subclavian vein that doesnt allow blood to flow out of my arm. Im going to try this!

http://www.skins.net/us/en/Default.aspx

They claim that it helps with circulation... We'll see... Im going to get the $100 womens top and I'll let you know if it works. What do I have to lose (besides $100!) or I will just have myself a really expensive long underwear top.

Wish me luck!

Just made a can of Brunswick Stew thanks entirely to my One Touch can opener!!! First time using it and I'm in love You just slap it on the can and step away. Its amazing!!! here's the official site but think you can buy it at Bed, Bath & Beyond and Walgreens and such.
Go get one if you don't already have a can opener (and I'm not talking about family members!! What if they're not home when you need some soup pronto?)!!

Glad the One Touch helps you. I guess I was a little rough on that one.

I had to use it if I wanted to get anything opened, but my reach, grip, thumbs and index fingers would make it a slip & slide event. So I had to have it but it was not without problems. At that time when I'd raise my arm up any it caused more pain and instability. couldn't put the dishes up in the cabinets out of the dishwaher. broke more than I could afford. I'm happy to say I can now operate a regular opener... even the old crank type every now and then just to see if I can.... and sometimes I can't do the crank. So do get one. it was useful.