Bump for Denmark gal

The symptoms that I still have and will always probably have:

Swollen right arm and hand (due to subclavian vain that is no longer allowing any blood flow) Vains in upper shoulder, arm and chest distended, due to them compensating for the subclavian vein.

Occasional aches and discomfort, and numbness in the shoulder and arm. Once in awhile a shooting pain through the arm - comes as quickly as it goes.

If the temp. outside is low my hand will get VERY cold and painfull.

Other than what is listed above, I dont have to take any pain meds. or have any physical restrictions.

I have a new symptom now. A burning pain in right side of chest. It also feels like swelling there. Anyone else experience this?

I had all of the symptoms but physicians were hesitant to acknowledge it, until I went to UCLA and saw Dr. Collins who specializes in TOS, he performed a brachial plexus mri, and it confirmed bi-lateral TOS without a doubt. After this the insurance companies had no choice but to recognize the diagnosis. Best of luck to you.

This sounds very similar to what I have been experiencing for the past year - except nothing has been diagnosed.
My symptoms started after an injury - my R. arm is still larger than the left - throbbing pain which travels up the forearm into shoulder right through to neck. Tingling and pins and needles in arm and hand - swelling and tightness in hand and arm a year later! R. side of face started to swell/droop shortly after injury - somedays worse than others. Been on Lyrica/Naproxen/Amotrypralene/pain killers..........
This has been depressing not to mention a year out of my life in pain and disfigurement..........very dissapointed - at a total loss as Dr's have not been able to figure out or diagnose - which can be positive once the pain and swelling have gone.
This is the first time I have come accross something that explains what I am going through - and there is a name for this (TOS) Thanks!

Things that hurt:
driving
laundry,folding etc
carrying(especially with elbows bent)
lifting(some days even a coffee pot or a glass or cup)
vaccuming @ dusting
doing dishes
washing my hair
blowdrying my hair
make-up forget it
sweeping
sitting
anything that requires your arms raised or extended
(shopping isn't fun anymore)
I can't hang laundry on the line,or hang drapes etc.
All repetitive strain injuries




I hate doing laundry I have been asking me husband to put it away. I hate driving and I hate doing dishes....one of the things I hate the most? Just for a laugh because you didn't list it but I know you know what I am talking about... what you have to do after using the restroom....





Please add to the list,maybe it will help others:[/QUOTE]

One of the things I would suggest to all of you who suffer from this horrible new sucky thing I have encountered...is to have your chiropractor or physical therapists do a Heated ultrasound on the side of your neck. Oh my gosh...I think I could have actually fallen asleep for the first time in four months.

Requested bump - and for any updates.

Thanks Jo*Mar again for the bump. reading the list makes me realize all the things that hurt that I don't always associate with TOS or RSD. I used to just think I was old! I'm 45 but not in horrible shape, except for these 2 dreaded diseases! Linda

Don't forget we have an older thread of this also, which I started when this first opened.

We have the "Top 5 symptoms"

and then some threads on "All symptoms."

A few posts above discuss Dr. Collins (radiologist) from UCLA. In work comp, his findings are not dispositive as no other radiologists can "read" what he "sees" - at least in So. Cal. I love Dr. Collins - I haven't had his $17,000 image, but some here have - it went from about $8,000 since I first had TOS and keeps rising - (not his fault) - but he does spend a LOT of time explaining about TOS to the patients and if you CAN get your insurance to pay for it, then it is a great learning tool.

My surgeon (Dr. Annest in Denver, and I had a consult with Dr. Brantigan also) would not use Dr. Collins image, either. Each surgeon has their own imaging preferences, and I think Dr. Ahn will look (L.A.) at Dr. Collins image, but not sure of anyone else.

So these are just more tidbits to put in your TOS knowledge.

Best of luck to all.