I have been told i might have tos. I have had arm pain and numbness in both arms for over a year. I had radial nerve surgury on left arm in jan and it helped a little. The left arm atrophed fast and now the right is showing the same. My right collar bone would pop at times making the right arm and shoulder go numb. I did 10 years of very heavy lifting as much as 50,000 lbs a day for 5 to 6 days a week. I cannot have my arms over my head for very long or even crossing my arms while standing will make them numb. Have pain in wrist alot. Have to keep my arms warm now to not have them hurt so much. Any hint to ask neuro surgon on my next visit? Thanks.

Hi!
Sounds to me like for sure TOS. I would explain it exactly like that to your doctor or surgeon and ask if a electromyogram (EMG) test and/or nerve conduction study (NCS) would be appropriate to help to determine if it is for sure.
I wish you luck- keep us posted!

Oh Moose, what abuse your body took. As far as neuro, before your appointment I would check that they are even knowledgable of TOS. Did you check the doctor list above for a doctor that has been recommended by forum members in your area? There are so few doctors that even see TOS. Often misdiagx.

do you homework reading about TOs, explain your symptoms, explain your work environment. The neuro should have some testing with positions to replecate your symptoms, Arms up and back towrd the wings in feeling pressing. the position that feels better is bringing the arms forward to take pressure off the compressed outlet area behind the collar bone and behind the first rib.

He will have you close your eyes and use a sharp and soft tip to touch skin in areas from the chest arms, hands and fingers. some may have one point or several and you tell them what you feel. Also, the tingles or pain travels, if touched pressed about the trapizis and collor bone areas for sure. The cervical nerves C5/6/78 and T1 are in a bundle that travels from the neck, behind the collar bone and down into the arms to become the radial, medial and ulnar nerves all they way down into the fingers, three feet. Anywhere alone this path there is a hinge, shoulder, elbow wrist, compressions happen.
this can be called a double or triple crush injury. That is why the wrist pain.

Seperate the sensory symptoms from the spasms. the cold bothers you, to the knots in your traps. The muscles try to protect inflamed nerves so they create a brace or spint them in spasms. calming the nerve where it inserts into the muscle is key to reduce pain.

I hope that you are not still doing this job and have considered filing for workers compensation. TOS can be unforgiving and the best chance to reduce symptoms or put it in remission is stop doing what aggrivates it.

Keep us posted about your appointment.
di

Thanks DiMarie and thursday for the thought and hints. I have been reading up on TOS. My big problem is i have to go to a native hospital. I tried for workerscomp but was denied. I had turned a slip into work with work restriction after seeing the doc's for my left arm. Boss told workercomp it was later that i had given one. I worked on a hovercraft delivering mail and by-pass mail. Have a captains and radar licences. So i might have to talk to some lawyers. Enough of taht my hand/fingers would get stuck so that i had to move them somehow or have the wife do it for me. I can see all the different muscle from the shoulder down spasm or twitch everyday. Just counting the days till the appointment.

Wishing good luck and vibs at the appointment Moose. Welcome to the gang here! Hope we can help fill in the blanks. The w/c battle is one so many of us understand. especially if it is a back or repetative strain problem, the hope we go away and take their headache with them.

I would certainly talk to a lawyer, repetative injury TOS is life long and needs lots of restrictions and accomadations.
Keep us updated. You job sounds so interesting WOW, what stories you must have.
di

Oh boy moose! I really hope things get less murky for you soon. Both the logistics and your wellness. I don't know what state you are in but here in CA I can say I wish I had not reported my injury. The system is too convoluted here to do actual good. If I had taken care of my tratment myself I'd be better and employed by now.
Just had to throw my two cents out there! I encourage you to study up on WC where u are before getting stuck in the system.

Moose- i'm sorry to hear of the problems you've been having. I don't have alot to add (everyone else pretty much said it!!). When you go to the doc, try to get some sort of a plan for treating you, and then you can evaluate it. Also, there are alot of great threads on this forum about ways to make everyday life more tolerable- typing/speech software, pillows for arm support, ways to sleep, stretches, you name it.

Best of luck at the doctor!

Thanks all for the thoughts. Will try speak to a lawyer when in Anchorage. Been finding ways on my own for comfortable spots to keep my arms and have learned that my arms have to be kept warmer. As you all say lots of good stuff here and doing research. Thanks moose

Well the appointment lasted less then 5 min. I was mad as all get out. He would not even touch my questions on my weakness,numbness and muscle atrophy. He looked at mri's and x-rays of my neck and chest. Everything was normal and caused by just living. What a quack. Even asked him about a referral to another doc and he just brushed it aside. I finally got a complete copy of my records and there are some things in there that the docs have been ignoring and putting down things that i have not said. I did find out another doc in Anchorage that has dealt with TOS and sent people down to lower 48. So trying to get everything he need together. Also will try and call mayo to see if i can find some help. My arms and muscles where going nuts the whole time in anchorage. So i just have to hang in there. Thanks for the ranting.

Oh Moose I am so sorry that your ran into the rule, instead of the exception!
Dang ol docs want an easy life and not one that really addresses complicated issues that are not black and white!
I hope this next doc can help. Keep warm.
di