To all the oldies who have known me in the past two years Im back and doing wonderful. I have gotten off all narcotics as they made my life completely unmanageable. My doctor was kind but being on all those drugs nearly killed me. I have had 4 car accidents due to slowed reaction time.
Yes in the beginning I needed the medication..the Topamax, Avinza, Soma, Valium etc....now Im back on Neutontin and that is enough. I am pain free as long as I watch what I do.
Tamara, Law, Kim, and all you others that knew me here when I first came know my story. Many of you are new to me. I was just ginnybean if you want to read my story. I have had to change my name as I forgot my password....lol.
I was diagnosed with TOS in November 04 and had surgery in November on the left side to remove my cervical rib. I then had a severe car accident on January 3, 05 that nearly severed my long thoracic nerve. I went through **** to find a doctor that could help me. I had surgery in May 05 in Houston with Dr.Nath who saved my life. I was in so much pain on the left side and my right TOS had become so bad from using that arm so much I nearly had surgery again.
But now Im doing well. Im able to do laundry and even clean my home to a degree as long as I listen to my body. I just wanted to come and check in with all the peope who got me through the worst part of my life and the prayers that kept me from suicide at times. To the new people listen to your body...only do what you must. There is nothing wrong with medication. Im not implying that...just wanted to show there is life after TOS surgery and even though it may take a few years it will get better..at least it did for me.
I guess the main reason I have come back is I was so afraid to get off the medicine because I was afraid of that suicide pain coming back. After all my car accidents I came to realize that the medicine was just causing me to exist, isolate from my family and dwell on myself and I realized that I just may could do without it....I detoxed in a hospital off of it and now as I said my life is so much better. Im so much clearer and actually more pain free because I dont do what hurts me now.
On medicine you do things you would not do..and end up hurting yourself more. Im not everyone though and one thing I learned going through this hellish diagnosis is that everyone is different and their needs are all different.
I just wanted to share my story even though its abbreviated just so newcomers can know when you learn your body and after some time at least for me...life does get better...the pain after surgery will get better...and with alterations in your lifestyle you can enjoy life again without constantly dwelling on the pain.
Thanks for letting me share...anyone may email me. Amy

Also to the oldies if you have my number give me a call...if you dont ask me in PM....