[nurseinpain]

I am a 37yr mother of 2 and a full time nurse. I have had two surgeries one for arterial thoracic outlet syndrome decompression and the second to remove scar tissue. I now am having pain in my arm w/ loss of sensation in my neck and I am starting to drop things again. I have to sleep w/ my arm on a pillow. I wanted to know is this forever.

[astern]

Hi nurseinpain, welcome to our home!

I believe it can be forever for some of us - in varying degrees. If you continued to work after your 2 surgeries it could possibly have returned, or perhaps new damage has been done?

For others, it can resolve - but from what I've read here and on the old forum it takes top-notch Phys therapists and/or surgeons.

Sometimes I have days where I feel pretty good and contemplate going back to work. But then the first time I try to act 'normal' (does anyone remember normal?!), the TOS bites me in the neck again. Like a damn Dracula.



Anne

[TraceyW]

hey nurseinpain!

i havent had any surgery for tos but after 4 and a half years im starting to accept that this is a life long problem that i have to manage - i do remember normal and cherish the memory of how i used to do things very easily without even giving it a second thought. I think that i used to cause myself more pain by becoming distressed and tense about not being able to do things - now i try to focus on those things i still can do and accept i need a little extra help from time to time.....not easy but necessary in the battle that is tos!

[Jomar]

the scar tissue can return too if your body is prone to making excess amounts of it....

Even for me, with mild TOS it is something we have to accommodate and I hate to say it, as we age it takes more time and attention...

[mindy26]

I suffer from tos had the rib resection and still having problems

[finz]

Hi Nip,

I'm a nurse who can't work anymore because of TOS, RSD, fibro, etc

Did you go back to the same work ? Or are you on modified ? Are you doing PT or getting myofascial release ?

[nurseinpain]

Originally Posted by finz

Hi Nip,

I'm a nurse who can't work anymore because of TOS, RSD, fibro, etc

Did you go back to the same work ? Or are you on modified ? Are you doing PT or getting myofascial release ?

I went back to my same job in a private practice. I do have people help me carry charts and pull my charts for me if need be.

[Horizontal One]

Hi Nurseinpain...., sorry to say but another nurse...there are quite a few of us on this site in same boat. Lots of friendly, helpful people with great advice, and good listeners.

I am sorry you found yourself here, but hope you find some great support.
Hx

[tied]

hi nurse

i remember the nites of trying to make the arms comfy. for a long time i had to sleep on my bad side. the pillow arrangement was quite complicated. the bottom right arm rested on a low lying pillow. i needed a giant pillow for the top left arm to rest on.

fortuneately those days are over. so for some of us it does get better.

i would just like to remind you of what my yoga teachers all say. listen to your body. if you can interprete it's signals and pamper it, life will get better. this is not easy and you will have to learn from your mistakes.

i remember normal, and i am not there either. but i have developed a wonderful relationship with my body an i love it to death. life it still wonderful in spite of my challenges. if you can find something to make you happy the pain won't seem so bad. i find my joy in cartooning, something i share with my dad.

[(Broken Wings)]

Yea, tied

I understand what you're saying and can say I'm right there too.

I personally don't like to think back about those many, many, many lost days and nights. It will bring tears to my eyes. I wish I could get totally beyond the thoughts and loss.

I'm not as "happy" and "wonderful" as you are now but I'm working on it. I know life is precious and each down moment is just another lost moment.

I feel like a "lost" person...

Originally Posted by tied

hi nurse

i remember the nites of trying to make the arms comfy. for a long time i had to sleep on my bad side. the pillow arrangement was quite complicated. the bottom right arm rested on a low lying pillow. i needed a giant pillow for the top left arm to rest on.

fortuneately those days are over. so for some of us it does get better.

i would just like to remind you of what my yoga teachers all say. listen to your body. if you can interprete it's signals and pamper it, life will get better. this is not easy and you will have to learn from your mistakes.

i remember normal, and i am not there either. but i have developed a wonderful relationship with my body an i love it to death. life it still wonderful in spite of my challenges. if you can find something to make you happy the pain won't seem so bad. i find my joy in cartooning, something i share with my dad.