Some days are just too much-Juggling 104

When you have TOS, there are lots of things to be mindful of in managing your condition so your flareups and pain are kept at the lowest level possible.
In previous articles here, I have discussed some of the things we can be aware of so we can adjust where needed.
Some days, however, it can all get to be too much.



We mind our posture, do our range of motion exercises, and tuck our chins.
We avoid lifting and carrying, we loosen our bra straps and stop carrying bags slung on our shoulder.
We drink our water, we read and learn all we can about TOS, we ask questions.
We learn our limits and try our darndest to stick to them.
We hate it but we must talk about our physical situation with our loved ones, in hopes they will be understanding and even supportive.
We warn-"Be careful hugging"-sometimes no hugging at all-too painful, though they do not really understand. How could they unless they walked a mile on our TOS shoes?
We massage, we heat, we ice, we apply creams and take pills.
And then tomorrow, we will start all of this, all over again.
It can be exhausting, and to top it all off then we hear from a well-meaning person-"Well gee, you don't look sick."
Sigh.
My fellow TOSer, I gently pat you on the back and say-I know.
This thing is trying, frustrating and difficult.
Maybe sometimes we need to drop all the stuff we think we need to juggle so we can reassess and just pick up the balls that are most important and let the other ones go.
We just do the best we can each day, and keep trying to juggle our way through on this journey with TOS.

Today In TOS News...

Read the complete report here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2070350/Ask-doctor-My-blood-pressure-high-just-arm.html

"A blockage in this artery is usually due to trauma, such as a broken arm or collar bone, though it can also be caused by the presence of an extra rib, called a cervical rib.



This abnormality is present from birth in one in 200 of us but, over time, it can press on the artery and cause damage, triggering a clot.
It is easily diagnosed on X-ray, and, if there are no symptoms, we leave it alone. But if the rib is causing pain by compressing vital nerves, or affecting the functioning of the arm by pressing on a blood vessel, then surgery may be essential."

How I was diagnosed - A 20 Year Journey

"I can make a diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome but the etiological factor can escape at the present time unless there is a severe case of a large cervical rib."
-Carlos A. Selmonosky, M.D

~ ~ ~

I was recently asked how I was diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.
The answer is complicated, as it seems to be for most folks with TOS.

I began with symptoms of Torticollis in 1987, with many repeated rounds of neck-locking up occuring, followed by meds, physical therapy, xrays, MRI's, CAT scans, referrals, chiropracters, at home traction, neck braces, TEN's unit...you name it-I tried it.

I went on living normally inbetween these episodes of frozen neck until 2003.
I was in a car accident and the whiplash stopped me in my tracks.
I was sent for more x-rays and physical therapy.
When three months of that only left me in more pain, I sought out yet another chiropracter, who upon inspection of my xrays, informed me I have cervical ribs.

All those years, all those tests and Doctors and xrays and no one thought to point out to me I have these two extra bones in the area where I have had so much pain.

I began reading and learning about cervical ribs, and continued attempting therapy at home.
The following summer my son went through a growth spurt and his arms began aching terribly. When xrayed, it was noted he has cervical ribs and would need to consult a specialist for possible surgical decompression.



It was in the appointment with my sons surgeon, as he was receiving his diagnosis of TOS, that I knew I also have TOS.
But it would be four more years before I would visit the same doctor for my own symptoms...because my teenage daughter cropped up one year after my son with arm pain and-you guessed it--cervical ribs and TOS!

So eighteen months after my daughter went through surgical decompression, I decided pills and physical therapy, massage and deep breathing were not going to change the situation with these extra bones causing pain in my body.
Besides, if my kids could be brave enough to go through rib resection, so could I!

Once I went to see our family TOS surgeon, I was an easy diagnosis.
My Dr. ran tests-the in office tests-bp, raise hands, twist, turn, strength check, push, pull--then Doppler tests, MRI, x-ray.
Doctor said with my history, my childrens history, and the cervical ribs it was plain as day I have TOS and could benefit from decompression.

And there you have it, my Twenty year journey to a diagnosis.