Mark, thanks for the suggestion. I am a male. I didn't have any serious work up for TOS. As for as spine concerned I have done MRIs and X-Rays after my injury and according to docs there is nothing needs to be fixed. No one ever mentioned TOS and ofcourse specialists don't like if I suggest something and well they are tired of me as I am tired of them. I mention it to my PCP who is a great listener and seriously wants to help me.

I had mild IBS -D and not constipation and when I lived in Canada I used to take DICETEL and worked great. Even after I moved to U.S. I still was getting it from Canada which is expensive and some plans do cover part of the cost. Not sure why it is still not available in U.S. when it is available all around the world now. It is not a supplement and a prescription medicine. Anyways I quit taking them few years before my TBI and able to easily control with exercise, diet, avoid lactose, some supplements and at some point didn't even notice I have that issue. Everything was good.

Now after my TBI it gave me huge problem (besides other numerous issues) and Elavil sure helps with that and many doctors prescribe Elavil for IBS. Having IBS alone people can go on disability. Seems like there are lot of studies with IBS and Brain and sure having IBS with TBI makes things worse and I am a living example.

The MRI's and X-rays need to be looking for the false ribs. MRI's of the spine have no direct relation to spine injuries except in the extreme cases. Studies have shown that a great number of patients with spine complaints can have negative MRI's and patients with no spine complaints can have positive MRI's.

Many doctors discount TOS. I was diagnosed by a physiatrist (Physical and Rehab Medicine specialist) Generic PT's will struggle to help. You need to find a gifted PT who understands TOS.

Mark,
Finding a good PT/Doctors seems to be the biggest challenge for me now. thanks for pointing that out. They put my dizziness, facial pain as anxiety and write me off and I know it is not since Trigger Point Massage therapy/myofascial pain release helped to relieve my symptoms though it is temporary. Dizziness (non_vertigo) is something Neurologists don't know what to do with.

Right now I am seeing a Physical Rehab Director in a good hospital. He is very knowledgeable about TBI/PCS. He did some shots in my trapezius muscle to release muscle tension. It helped some what for my hand which was getting numb when I lie down. Besides that it didn't address any of the main symptoms. He strongly believes my main symptoms coming from my vision and wants me to go vision therapist.

I went for Vision Therapy/Light Therapy before I saw him (spent a thousand dollars - no insurance coverage) but he said I didn't go to the right one. I guess again back to Vision Therapy and spend may be few thousand dollars? I can mention TOS to him only after I do the Vision Therapy for few months. Seems like this is going to a very long journey unless some miracle happens.

I spent about $18,000 trying to get help and understanding. The PT who did excellent myo-facial release of my upper back, shoulder and neck did wonders. She was well worth the money I spent ($8000 over 2 years) She was not in my health plan coverage.

Be careful with Light Therapy. It can be problematic for an injured brain. Look for a PT who has good myo-facial release skills. Those momentary stabs of pain as she coerces the muscles to behave are well worth it.

What position of laying down causes your hand to go numb?

I have accepted the fact that I cannot sleep on either side or the weight on my shoulders will cause hand numbness. I have been sleeping on my back for over 20 years. The neuro wanted to do emergency carpal tunnel surgery because my hands got so numb. Sleeping on my back has relieved all chronic CTS numbness. The PT has resolved the residual numbness that would sometimes start at my elbow.

If you are the one writing the checks for care, you should be able to get some TOS targeted diagnostics and treatment. My TOS X-rays only cost $140. The therapy was standard PT rates.

You did spent some money. I already spent around $20,000 and seems like there is no end to it. Insurance doesn't cover most of these therapies.

I did the Vision therapy for 2 months (morning and evening - 30 mins) and I am not going to do again. Didn't get any benefit out of it.

My hand was going numb when I sleep on my back and more than that my right leg gets very painful when I am in that position. Pain happens only when I stretch my legs and not when I sit or stand. Some nights I woke with excruciating pain in buttock and right weighs like ton. I have to use my hand to lift the leg since I cannot move voluntarily because of excruciating pain. Been going on for 1 year now and I ignore it since I have bigger issues than that .

Dizziness, Facial Pain, Fatigue etc., is the one I have to fix it now. I wish I can get the prism lenses from the vision specialist in Birmingham. She is confident she can fix lots of issues and has treated many TBI patients with PCS symptoms. I did speak to her once. One pre-requiste is no Xanax before or during the process. If I have to take a flight and go to new city I have to take Xanax because of the dizziness etc., So it is a cache 22 situation.

Sorry I guess this topic went some where. Coming back to the topic wheat is something I learnt recently I have to avoid and my stomach becomes calm. May be folic acid too?

Have you looked into Upper Cervical chiropractic? NUCCA is one version and Atlas Orthagonal is another. Both protocols have web site you will find from googling NUCCA and Atlas Orthagonal.

Yes I did Mark. Upper cervical chiropractor said it wont be much help but still tried around 10 sessions. He sure is very experienced. Gentle chiropractic for about another 10 sessions and also good. Nothing changed. Only thing helped temporarily so far is Myo-facial pain release and trigger point therapy. That is the reason rehab director think it comes from vision rather than neck.