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Extra ribs and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in the UK

Posted , 4 users are following.

sissjg
sissjg

It's good to know that there are other people who know what it's like. I had an accident in work hurting my neck and back. After living with these extra ribs all my life without any problems little did i know about what would happen over the next 3 years. I've been diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and also a slipped disk at t2/t3 in my thoracic spine. All the docs say that it's very risky to have surgery, it's almost like they are scared. So every day i'm reminded about these ribs by the constant pain tingling etc I also have ulnar and carpel tunnel from these wretched things. I'm lucky to still have my job because i've had so much time off and if i'm off again i will be out of a job. People always say how well i look and not a soul has heard of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome or extra ribs in the neck. Surely there must be someone somewhere in the uk who is a specialist in this area. I just keep getting pushed from pillar to post and told to keep taking the tabs that have messed my stomach up. I lived quite happily with these. TOS in my case was related to me hurting my neck. Do you all have something that happened to start this nightmare off?

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hi,

    I had a cervical rib removed about 18 yrs ago after 4 years of pain. it wasn't a nice operation but do not regret it at all. Unfortunately i found then i had 2 one on each side, the left one never give me pain until know, so i'm back to sq one with the left hand side know. But at least i know what to push for.ask for a MRI scan to see how much damage it is doing to your nervous system and artries. Good luck don'y give in :angel:

  • just_me
    just_me

    Posted

    Hi folks

    Don't remember anything specific happening it's just sneaked up on me over the years.

    Yes I found out last summer I had 2 cervical ribs too - at least I now know why I've had a bad neck, shoulders, arms, wrists & hands etc. and was not imagining it (I shake & have palpatations etc. - they gave me a leaflet on Panic Attacks)

    But it's not showing on the tests - just because they can't see nerve compression it doesn't mean it's not there!

    There's a TOS support group - including a UK Forum at

    http://www.myhealthboard.org

    where you can chat to like-minded people - Good Luck smile

  • kerry_v
    kerry_v

    Posted

    [quote:a1da0027a4=\"freckles \"]Hi,

    I had a cervical rib removed about 18 yrs ago after 4 years of pain. it wasn't a nice operation but do not regret it at all. Unfortunately i found then i had 2 one on each side, the left one never give me pain until know, so i'm back to sq one with the left hand side know. But at least i know what to push for.ask for a MRI scan to see how much damage it is doing to your nervous system and artries. Good luck don'y give in :angel:[/quote:a1da0027a4] hi omg i was also diagnosed with tos after a car accident have had xray but dont know if i have xtra ribs yet best wishes kerry v

  • just_me
    just_me

    Posted

    For anyone who wants to share their experiences & get replies

    please see the ATOSA forum mentioned on my post above

    & yes I think I can safely say a lot of us have PAIN!

    thanks!

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hi, I do not have extra ribs but about a year ago developed TOS. I work in an office job typing 8-9 hours per day, 5 days per week with one break each day. I sit up straight in the chair but have my arms stretched forward to reach the keyboard. Therefore over the years my back muscles have weakened and my chest muscles have tightened and my arm and hand muscles have atrophied. I had no idea anything like this could happen. The night is the worst thing about it, it used to be 6pm - 6am everyday but has lessened. Over the past 10 months I have had physio, which changed to pilates after 5 months. I have finally had progress after 5 months of pilates. My back is stronger, my chest has opened up some, and I am now able to reach my arms forward without moving my chest. I now hardly type, and when I am at work I need a 5 minute break every 30 minutes which helps alot.
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