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.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment