Welcome to Adventures in Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Hi -
My name is Pauly. I've been suffering with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome for almost 4 years. I've found that most websites will give lots of information about what TOS is or how to treat it, but very few offer practical advice for how to live with it or how to really beat it. Over the last 4 years I've learned a lot of things on my own through research and trial and error. I hope this blog will provide you with some useful information that might help you cope with or kick your condition.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Evoluent BetaTest

Hey all. I've been selected by Evoluent to BetaTest one of their new wireless mice. No picture here as I haven't yet seen the device myself. Anyway, attached is the email I received this morning requesting that I BetaTest the mouse for them. Yep... I ponied up the $200 and look forward to my new free wireless mouse.

Dear Evoluent user,

Evoluent is about to introduce the VerticalMouse 4 Wireless. We need your help to test preproduction samples and report back.

15 test samples are available. If you are interested, please do this:
1. Go to www.evoluent.com and click Online Store.
2. Click the bottom item TEST. There is no image of the item.
3. Buy the refundable item, use it daily for a week and reply to this message with a clear description of any problems.

IMPORTANT: The report must be filed within 14 days of the purchase date for a full refund including shipping. You can keep the sample after the test. No refund will be given if the report is filed late.

The reason for asking you to buy it for a high price, then refunding it is to encourage you to file the report.

We look forward to your feedback on this exciting new product.

Best regards,
Evoluent

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Relaxation Exercise

This video brings me back to the good ole days and just makes me feel good. And isn't that all we're really after anyway. Hope you enjoy...




YouTube

Friday, May 20, 2011

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Sex

You know Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is hitting main stream America when articles about CTS and sex make it to the google news page. Check out this article from edenfantasys I found on google news.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Live Chat on Treating Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Follow-up

I attended the live chat yesterday with Dr. Christo hosted by the Baltimore Sun and actually got one of my questions posted.  There was lot's of useful information given especially some stuff that's very hard to find with just a regular google search.  The most interesting thing I discovered, was that Botox and Blood Thinners appears to be a treatments for some people with TSO.  Here's the discussion of Blood Thinners from the chat.


12:17

Comment From Miram 
I have had the diagnosis of TOS for approximately 20 years. Approximately 17 years ago, I had a partial right first rib resection. I am in my 50 now and after a head trauma/facial fractures; I have become symptomatic again. My symptoms are swelling and stiffness in hands and forearms upon awakening, weakness in both hands, no over head reaching without causing dizziness, pain at base of neck with headaches that run up the back of my neck into my scalp and forward to my temples and above my eyes. It has taken away my ability to do any kind of upper body exercise or carrying any sort of weight/ a few lbs or greater without pain. What are the recommendations when you have a major accident, like I had to move on with a quality of life. I have tried four separate physical therapist, two surgeons have recommended surgery, I have a neuologist that I have worked for and I have also had the brachial plexus study by Dr. Collins at UCLA and have been told my venous blood return is impinged.


12:26
drchristo: 
Miram, if you have vascular TOS (venous blood flow impaired) then many patients will have a chest xray, duplex ultrasound, and even venography to further document and confirm the problem. A lot of patients will have arm pain with activity, arm and hand swelling, blue discoloration of the arm or hand, and dilated veins in the shoulder or chest area. You may be a candidate for repeat first rib resection and anterior scalenectomy. If you have a clot in the vein, then surgeons use blood thinners before and after surgery as part of treatment. I think surgery depends on how significant the bood flow reduction is, so have a frank discussion with one of the surgeons to determine likelihood of success and any problems you may encounter if you don’t have another surgery.



If you want to see the rest, as well as my question to Dr. Christo, please check the link.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Live Chat on Treating Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Today at 12 noon EST the Baltimore Sun will be hosting a live chat on treating thoracic outlet syndrome with Dr. Paul Christo of John Hopkins University School of Medicine. If you're a sufferer or know someone who is, this will probably be a great place to get answers that aren't so easy to find on the web.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Australian Tax Office Searches for RSI Solution (iTnews.com.au)

They're calling RSI an epidemic in Australia.  Perhaps that means the medical and business communities will start focusing more attention on finding solutions to this problem.

ATO searches for solution to RSI epidemic







Image courtesy of Photostock

Jon Stewart vs Bill O'Reilly

Okay, so these videos have nothing really to do with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, but laughter and relaxation are always good for releasing tension.

Part 1

Part 2