[JennyH]

Hi
After visiting the forum for a while, thought I should actually finally join.

I'm based in the UK and started getting symptoms at Easter. Fairly rapidly progressed and by June my left hand was clawed, no grip, severe pain and no pulse - and couldn't turn my head to the right without getting dizzy. After 2 months of not getting anywhere with the joys of NHS - public health care in UK - no picking who you go and see - I finally had an angiogram which showed that when I raised my arm or turned my head, I occluded my subclavian artery.

Had my first rib resection just over three months ago and the first few weeks were tough - finding the forum and reading other people's experiences really helped me realise I wasn't the only person who found it hard...and now I'm improving all the time. Long way to go but I'm back working 3/4 time, swimming and starting to get back to normal.

This is a great resource - and such a supportive community. Thank you.

[Jomar]

Hello & welcome,
I copied your intro here so we could all say Hi

[thursday]

Wow!! you're swimming around!! That's really something! Glad you are here- officially now- to share your experiences

[gibbrn]

Hi and welcome,
so glad to hear of your positive surgery experience!!
have fun in the pool for me ....I miss swimming!

hugs,
Victoria

[TraceyW]

hey jenny, im also from the Uk. have had upperlimb symptoms fitting tos for almost 4 years have had physio and pain cons advise they think tos, however not yet formally diagnosed. i have been demanding referrals where i want and threatening to complain if i dont get what i want.....its hard work moving around the NHS system!. Also, as of this year we have the right to choose whichever hospital we want to be referred to in the whole of the UK...however gp's do try to pretend to be unaware of this - until the threat of a complaint is made - it is a very sorry state!

Anyway - hope that you make a good recovery - sounds like you had a very bad case of it - mine isnt as severe and prob more neuro related than vascular so the nhs will try to push me to the kerb but i keep bouncing back!

take care

[gibbrn]

Originally Posted by TraceyW

hey jenny, im also from the Uk. have had upperlimb symptoms fitting tos for almost 4 years have had physio and pain cons advise they think tos, however not yet formally diagnosed. i have been demanding referrals where i want and threatening to complain if i dont get what i want.....its hard work moving around the NHS system!. Also, as of this year we have the right to choose whichever hospital we want to be referred to in the whole of the UK...however gp's do try to pretend to be unaware of this - until the threat of a complaint is made - it is a very sorry state!

Anyway - hope that you make a good recovery - sounds like you had a very bad case of it - mine isnt as severe and prob more neuro related than vascular so the nhs will try to push me to the kerb but i keep bouncing back!

take care

thats cause you have tos you were a born fighter! We all are for some reason...or we fight for our rights so much it now comes naturally!!
love and hugs,
Victoria