| Last Updated July 13, 2004 |
My TOS :
On July 25th, 2003 I was at work ( I work on computers all day) and I started having pains radiating throughout my armpit, shoulder, neck , elbow and wrist. My fingers( ring & pinky) were numb. I couldn't raise my right arm more than 2 inches from my body without severe pain. I went to my PCP and he referred me to a chiropractor & physical therapy. After 12 weeks of physical therapy & seeing the chiropractor.. nothing had changed. My had now shook uncontrollably.. I would drop things all the time.. I still had no strength in my arm & the numbness and pain was getting worse. After a neck mri & x-ray .. it was determined that I had a bulging disc in my neck .. but I soon found , after another doctor, that the disc wasnt the cause of my problems... So .. After numerous doctors, mri's, x-rays, emgs ...etc.. I was finally referred to Dr Shear, a physiatrist. He was the first MD to mention TOS.. I had done some research of my own & had thought to mention TOS to him . It was such a releif to finally have a MD that didnt tell me the pain was all in my head. I went through a second round of PT, 8 weeks, with no improvment. I returned back to work after 2 1/2 months off. I have since gotten worse. My right hand now goes numb all the time. It gets swollen and turns a dark red/ purple color. The pain in my shoulder now radiates thru my neck, armpit , fingers and arm. I have begged my doctor to schedule the surgury. I am tired of the pain.. the symptoms are getting worse and my overall well being is going downhill. From all the stories that I have read onthis and many other websites, I know that the surgury does not always have the best results. But at this point I am will to do anything.
Dr. Michael Shear
Dr. Keith Segalman