I am sure my symptoms came from computer use, as I had no other trauma. I'm curious to know.... where did all of your symptoms start? in the neck area, hands, etc?

Mine started in the right shoulder blade area and quickly spread down my entire arm and has now moved up into my neck and is creeping over to the other side.

First, I want to thank all of you for replying. I know it takes effort to post - so THANK you all.

Second, as most of you know I was an attorney when I got sick. (Also pro tem judge for 6 years, although that didn't take computer work.) I think a reasonable amount of time I can say I was on the computer was 60 hours per week, including taking notes, picking at pages or picking up files and moving them about - and also having the phone on my neck. (I didn't get a headset until after I got sick. I worked a year sick.) I remember the day that the TOS went from hand pain, to all the way up my arm and to my neck and brain. It all swelled up on a Friday, and then instead of calming down over the weekend, it kept getting worse as I rested and it's never gone away since. 11/15/02.)

So my concern now is for my kids' generation as they use the computer for work, home and they are constantly texting. I realize TOS is somewhat rare, but I think it's on the rise, and I just haven't found an agency that is keeping numbers. I've checked the CDC, NINDS and OSHA. I haven't called them - I'll be doing that next when I can. I am VERY sick right now, bedridden since '04 has left me quite ill, and I've developed diabetes from the inactivity and/or the meds I've had to take.

If you all would email me, I'd like to talk further about my ideas to warn younger people and what I am going to try to do. I'd like to let you have an opportunity to be included, and of course this does NOT involve any money at all. But I don't want to post it all here. So my email is tamaraleslie@hotmail.com and from there I can paste and send you my thoughts on this, as we've already tried to contact Oprah, Montel, Mystery Diagnosis, so I'll tell you more of my ideas.

Again, thanks for answering this.

Also, I do know that TOS is caused by other occurrences or an "extra rib" or tumor. But that was not the case with me - I am sure it was computer, and I think I've had over 20 images taken now - MRI, CTs, with contrast, etc., and all of those are normal. That supports my belief that my problem is the set-up of the keyboard, mouse and time on the computer.

God bless you all. I'll respond to all who contact me.

Hi everyone
I haven’t been making any posts as I have been really busy. I now have a full-time job and I am doing a course at night school as well.
My theory as to why computers are linked to TOS, it is for the same reason that people who have jobs that require working overhead or working with arms out the front of your body or musicians, etc. They all require sustaining postures involving muscles connecting the scapula to the thoracic spine for long (abnormal) periods of time.
I believe that any thoracic spine injury (particularly one involving a rib) will not resolve as it should if one is on a computer for hour after hour or is involved in a pastime or occupation where continuous scapular stabilisation is required. This unresolved thoracic spine injury will cause irritation around the thoracic spine (like costochondritis but not at the sternum), the scapular stabilising muscles which attach to the spine will react (appearing to be weaker), changing the shoulder girdle posture and leading to pec minor or hyper-abduction syndrome.
The resultant symptoms are pain in upper back, poor posture, heavy arm, neurological symptoms in arm etc.
Historically, the treatments have been to try and strengthen the apparently weak scapular stabilisers, however this has only worsened the thoracic spine problem.
Surgery to “open” the thoracic outlet has largely been ineffective as it does not address the root cause.
Strategies that might help lessen the irritation at the rib /spine “joint”
Taping the shoulder back
Shoulder brace
Not using the affected arm (sling)
Anti inflammatory drugs
Not chest breathing (try not to sit, this causes pressure on the diaphragm)
Do not rest on the rib cage ( impossible I know but the worse we get the more we do it)
Avoid putting on weight (this places more pressure on the diaphragm)
Heat packs on the affected thoracic spine
Hope this might help someone
towelhorse

my first ever symptom was in the right thumb - it completely seazed up and was extremely painful to move. Then 2 months later, excruciating dull aching pain in my right shoulder blade - this stayed with me 24 hours a day for about 3 months and slowly eased to coming and going. Symptoms have progressed and changed from my neck/back feeling very weak through to pain in my arm and some in R hand - coldness in hand/arm/shoulder blade.....little finger tremors now and i can feel a pressure and looks swollen sometimes!...the list could go on......

Yes, my right thumb was one of the first.

They initially thought "Dequervain's." But then, the big surge happened.

Not a single person has emailed me. I am disappointed. Maybe I'll try posting again later...it's a big project.

I totally agree that the info needs to keep being put out there - that RSI can become a nasty chronic TOS or TOS type condition.
The more places it is posted it will be found and read about.

LIKE -
Don't keep working in pain and hoping it will just go away some day.

Make Drs & PTs find answers for you and give real help to you. Or find the ones that will help you.

Educate yourself about your body, how it works, and how best to repair it, before it becomes a painful & chronic condition.

Sorry!! I kind of don't understand the assignment Is it: How to help younger people using computers from getting broken like us?

Friends,

You got it!

If you want to hear my plans that may involve you if you want it, I need some sort of written agreement not to share the details with anyone. REason? I've already had one site copy me word for word on their site. I don't want my ideas pilfered.

So again, please email me your number or I'll give you mine and we can talk and sign the simple agreement (a lot of new patent law supports this.)

And I have several ideas. Maybe one would be a great fit for you? And it's not consuming - I will be doing the work.

So please contact if you just want to hear what I had in mind, OK? Thanks