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MRI Update..Thoracic Outlet Syndrom???

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  • MRI Update..Thoracic Outlet Syndrom???

    Hi everyone...I had my follow up today on the MRI I had done. The MRI showed a subtle disc bulge (without narrowing of significance) at C4-C5, C5-C6 and C6-C7 (That's as much as I could interpret from my reading)...so ...my doctor does not think that this is causing my horrendous arm pain but is considering Thoracic Outlet Syndrome...(Has anyone else ever heard of this or does anyone know much about this?) He wants me to see a neurologist for an EMG. I'm wondering if this is one of those joys of having scoliosis. I can't get into my spine specialist yet but will try again to call and get in.

    I'm so frustrated...I feel like no one can figure me out and that I'm just some freak of nature...I know life could be so much worse and I keep telling myself that but it's hard not to feel a bit sorry for myself and cry just a little bit. The pain is horrendous...the last 3 days have almost been unbearable.

    THanks for listening and for any suggestions you may have.

    Really tryin hard to be
    Always Smilin'
    (but these last 2 months have sure been a test for me)

    Oh, and also, I've been experiencing a ton more back cracking when I stand up...I just CANNOT stand the sound that makes...gives me the heeby jeebies. Don't know what that's all about

    Always Smilin'
    Colleen

    1982 fused T2-L1
    pre op 45 - post op 33 (left thoracic)
    pre op 53 - post op 18 (right thoracic)

    recheck 2006
    right thoracic 57
    lower lumbar 34

    surgical revision April 28,2009
    revision T3-L1; new fusion L1-L4
    unsure of degrees at this point

  • #2
    Bless your heart!! ... and your back!! I don't know what Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is... so i can't help you there... but you have my thoughts and prayers... maybe that can be some help or comfort... such as it is.

    ((hugs)) JoAnn

    Comment


    • #3
      Hi Always...

      There have been a few other discussions on TOS here, so you might want to do a Search.

      Also, you might want to try the exercises listed here:

      http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_r...egory=Shoulder

      Regards,
      Linda
      Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
      Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

      Comment


      • #4
        Thanks

        Thank you Linda and JoAnn...great site...those are exercises that I had already been doing in PT...interesting...I will do a search on TOS

        Thanks again
        Colleen

        Always Smilin'
        Colleen

        1982 fused T2-L1
        pre op 45 - post op 33 (left thoracic)
        pre op 53 - post op 18 (right thoracic)

        recheck 2006
        right thoracic 57
        lower lumbar 34

        surgical revision April 28,2009
        revision T3-L1; new fusion L1-L4
        unsure of degrees at this point

        Comment


        • #5
          Another option

          Have you tried a chiropractor? I have several kinks in my neck in approximately those places, along with the scoliosis. An upper cervical specific chiropractor is the one who seems to be helping me the most, even after the m.d. said that there was nothing to be fixed, despite arm pain and weakness.

          Deb

          Comment


          • #6
            Cakedec-
            I have tried a chiropractor - a very respected and highly recommended one in town. I saw her for about a month and she began to get worried that there was more wrong with me as I wasn't experiencing any relief whatsoever. I had also done PT which aggravated the symptoms - but am hoping with this "potential" diagnosis that PT won't be so blind as before. (My hubby is highly skeptical.)
            I am in the final semester of my master's program and am hoping that once stress levels lessen (a master's program + 3 kids + a full time job + a hubby has been quite a load) that HOPEFULLY my symptoms will lessen???I think that's being wishful but that's all I can do for now.
            I do have an EMG scheduled with a neurologist but it just seems like everything takes FOREVER...I was wishing for a quick, magic cure.
            Thanks so much for the thought Cakedec...just having support of others who have been where I am is HUGE!
            Always Smilin

            Always Smilin'
            Colleen

            1982 fused T2-L1
            pre op 45 - post op 33 (left thoracic)
            pre op 53 - post op 18 (right thoracic)

            recheck 2006
            right thoracic 57
            lower lumbar 34

            surgical revision April 28,2009
            revision T3-L1; new fusion L1-L4
            unsure of degrees at this point

            Comment


            • #7
              Tos

              TOS is basically nerve entrapment syndrome...your cervical nerves and vascular bundles innveravating your arm pass through triangulate spaces..between scalenes, post to pec minor, between rotator cuffs..
              if you have spasmotic, shortened or inflamed muscles, it could impinge on them and cause neurologic or vascular deficit to the arm...symptoms could vary.....

              It isn't very easy to manage, also not easy to diagnos...some of the shoulder muscle trigger points could refer pain down the arms and mimic TOS as well..

              good luck...
              An important scientific innovation rarely makes its way by gradually winning over and converting its opponents: it rarely happens that Saul becomes Paul. What does happen is that its opponents gradually die out, and that the growing generation is familiarised with the ideas from the beginning.

              Max Planck (the founder of Quantum Physics)

              Comment


              • #8
                Hi Always Smilin'...

                I wasn't diagnosed with it(as far as the name goes), but I had all the symptoms and some PT exercises, acupuncture and most of all REST helped me, even if the pain is easily triggered if I carry something with the right arm, stay on computer too long, or do a repetetive movement. Like I already said another time, getting rid of one of my hooks on the right side helped so much as well. I don't know what you mean by "cracking", if you mean the bones or hardware clicking, but if you had Xrays and they say that all looks in place-even if that is not 100% proof without inspection through surgery-then you can continue with your PT if it helps and see when you have less to do and take it more easy in the future if that helps.
                35 y/old female from Montreal, Canada
                Diagnosed with scoliosis(double major) at age 12, wore Boston brace 4 years at least 23 hours a day-curve progressed
                Surgery age 26 for 60 degree curve in Oct. 1997 by Dr.Max Aebi-fused T5 to L2
                Surgery age 28 for a hook removal in Feb. 1999 by Dr.Max Aebi-pain free for 5 years
                Surgery age 34 in Dec.2005 for broken rod replacement, bigger screws and crosslinks added and pseudarthrosis(non union) by Dr. Jean Ouellet

                Comment


                • #9
                  Question and thank for SportsDoc and Sweetness

                  Thanks Sportsdoc and Sweetness-
                  Sportsdoc- thanks for medical update - your info resounds what I have been reading. I do go in for an EMG (although the reading I'm doing says that the EMG won't help officially diagnose TOS). It sounds like TOS is chosen once alll other tests fail - so to say. What are the odds of permanent nerve damage from this???and does permanent nerve damage meand permanent pain?

                  Sweetness- I'm so surprised at how much we seem to have in common (symptomwise). Just when I thought I was goin' it alone - thanks so much for your input. It is nice to hear that others are surviving what I'm living through.

                  Some days are better than others (especially the lower stress days) so hopefully come June all my symptoms will magically disappear (as I'll be done with my masters and will be done with teaching - except for tutoring - for a few months). I can't imagine though that I will ever be pain free. It could be worse though I suppose

                  I'm supposed to see a neurologist (like I said before) but can't get in til JULY - isn't that crazy....I need to hunt around!

                  Always Smilin'
                  Colleen

                  1982 fused T2-L1
                  pre op 45 - post op 33 (left thoracic)
                  pre op 53 - post op 18 (right thoracic)

                  recheck 2006
                  right thoracic 57
                  lower lumbar 34

                  surgical revision April 28,2009
                  revision T3-L1; new fusion L1-L4
                  unsure of degrees at this point

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I know what you mean about waiting, it's usually months here as well.

                    I really recommend resting and acupuncture, if you're not squeamish about needles. It relaxes your whole body and nervous system, and I find of all the places I've had pain and tried to get relief from acupuncture, the neck and arm nerves are the one areas that got the most relief and response. We all say that when we're in pain or deal with health issues it could be worse, and it's so true. But being in a lot of pain where it affects our whole life and the things we need to do, it's important to want to take care of it and it's normal to feel down about it. Health comes first.

                    Have a good summer taking it easy, your body needs it
                    Last edited by sweetness514; 05-06-2006, 02:01 PM.
                    35 y/old female from Montreal, Canada
                    Diagnosed with scoliosis(double major) at age 12, wore Boston brace 4 years at least 23 hours a day-curve progressed
                    Surgery age 26 for 60 degree curve in Oct. 1997 by Dr.Max Aebi-fused T5 to L2
                    Surgery age 28 for a hook removal in Feb. 1999 by Dr.Max Aebi-pain free for 5 years
                    Surgery age 34 in Dec.2005 for broken rod replacement, bigger screws and crosslinks added and pseudarthrosis(non union) by Dr. Jean Ouellet

                    Comment

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