First Rib Resection for TOS

Just a few questions for you. I am getting surgery 1/5/17 and they were very vague on telling me about recovery. They are removing my first rib because it is cutting off all blood flow to my fingers. I am currently very active and was wondering how long it took you to start moving and get off the pain meds? Luckily I am on break for uni and won't have to worry about school for a few weeks but when will I be able to drive as well as write since it is my right (dominant) arm. When were you able to start doing physical therapy?

I was in school also. 4-5 days I had off and was back in class. The pain meds (I've had to go through detox before) I weened off of quickly. I have tramadol and lyrica that are my preference but, definately at times (usually at the end of day I'd have to pop a pill). My surgeon even suggested taking one before PT to help push me. That was also good advice. Not sure if I shared on THIS post but my surgeon also gave me an excerise that helped tremendously for reach. Take your fingers and crawl up the wall like a spider with your hand. Day after day I was able to raise my arm up higher and higher!

So, driving.... let me give you some advice/advance notice on that. I had to shut my driver door with my right arm. I had surgery in the left. Sharp turns are a little more work because you will need to compensate for strength. I would need to turn on my turn signals and turn on head lights by akwardly reaching with my right hand. I STILL need to turn on lights this way. I'm SOOOO much better especially with the pain... GOOD GOD the PAIN was SO EXCRUTIATING... but, yes, there are minor things like this that don't function quite so well yet. It's the turning motion and grip that gets me. I don't feel so well in that hand most days so things like putting in earrings with backs to them, sometimes hooking necklaces (but that's hard as a healthy person too, lol) and zipping up my jacket can require some manouvering. There are also days that I forget I have problems, so all in all... good things.

Physical therapy you can start right away... or as soon as you feel up to it. It IS surgery so your body will take a hit. Give yourself the time your body is telling you to recover. I live by myself. My mom came for the first day or 2, but I was up and doing for myself pretty quickly. I'm also active and ADHD, so sitting/laying around is irritating to me. It is good to push yourself, so if you feel you can take it, do it. Know when to stop. You'll learn that point yourself if your anything like me. If that takes some pain meds... well, do it. As for writing, I don't write with my left hand but I'm pretty ambidextrous. When you go for physical therapy tell them that this is important. It's a strength and muscle control problem at this point for me. My hand is numb but I have a good grip but fine detail may take awhile. You may have some crazy handwriting for a while.

Let your professors know. I did. I do. I also have Psoriatic Arthritis specifically in my hands so I have problems anyway. There is Dragon speach recognition software that has come to amazing levels. Another option, that I took, was to get a new computer (I needed one anyway). I got the surface pro. Its touch screen, detachable so it turns into a pad, it has a stylus. It's perfect and has helped tremendously. I also contacted my Office for Student Services. They have students (I do this when asked) that will share their handwritten class notes with you. They just bring them to the office every week, scan them and email them to you. If you don't have this option... try asking someone in class to photocopy their notes for you. It's okay to ask for help.... so I'm LEARNING! Took me WAY too long to use the resources available. You can also (provided you get proper promission) record audio or full video of lectures with your computer.

Sorry I didn't report back sooner, I just moved. I hope surgery went well for you. Hopefully you're past all the ick. Sorry about the spelling. it's late for me. Working on school... Love to hear your progress. My surg was 3/27/17 so I may be some insight into what your in for.

Recovery is quite quick the younger the better just remember to keep moving you will have a stiff neck and will need to turn your whole body to just look around but it don't last long I've had removal three times now so I'm used to it plus I've had ribs removed from my back 

How did it go? My daughter had surgery on February 28th and still has numbness in her fingers.

Hope your husbands surgery goes well. I'm rooting for him! I just posted some of my post surg advice to emily. Maybe this helps. Feel free to ask me any questions as they come. They WILL come. lol I believe much of recovery is attitude and I was very determined, riddled with other health issues. Discipline is HUGE. You are going to have to be his cheerleader when he gets frustrated. He's lucky to have you. It's so encouraging to see that you're so involved. I love that. Props to you!!! Good Luck and Speedy Recovery!

Hey zoe128 I am trying to get the surgery for my TOS could you possibly tell me where you got it done and how much it cost you 

HI! 

Hoping to find out how your recovery has gone. I have a first rib resecc and scalenectomy for Venos TOS about 4 week ago. I had it done through a transaxillary approach. Like many others I started with chronic neck and upper back pain on my left side years ago. Always putting it down to numerous falls I had and some mild degenerative disk disease in ny neck. However over the past year and a half the Pain was chronic, constant and spread down my arm into my hand creating numbness. I finally couldn’t take it anymore. After numerous doctors over a year, every test I could imagine it was actually a PT I was assigned to who truly took the time to consider my problem and told me to find a dr who specializes in TOS. I did just that and within a month was diagnosed with Venos TOS. I was so happy I wasn’t crazy I actually was pleased and smiled when he told me. Little did I know what the surgery was going to be like. I have had 6 other surgeries in my life for other things, I thought I knew the drill. Anesthesia sucks for me, I don’t react well and usually after a day or two in hospital get released, feel miserable at home for a week or two, the. Back on my feet and recovered. This time I was wrong. I have never experienced or could have imagined the pain. I really thought I was going  To die. The only narcotic that slightly touched the pain was Dilaudid and that frankly didn’t cut it. I was in the hospital 5 days before I was some what kicked out after they told me there was nothing else they could do to help...... that’s a whole other story. I am 4 weeks post surgery and still not functioning well. I am still on Dilaudid, Motrin and gabapentin; however switching to lyrica as with the dose they put my on the had terrrible neurological side effects and was an emotional wreck. I am making slow progress but was not expecting this. I start physical therapy next week, but there is no way I can drive or work at the moment. I am in a lot of nerve pain, I ache, have no appetite, and am exhausted. Does anyone have a similar story they can share with some tips and maybe a light at the end of this tunnel ? So nice to know I am not alone! Thanks Kelly 

Hi Kelly. Your not alone. I am nearly two years since op on both sides. Numbness in both hands and burning pain from neck down both arms. No medication helps. Consultants still doing tests. I am so depressed. Still can't work. Shopping is a nightmare. It's like my nerves are trapped from neck all the way down both arms. Cannot keep hold of things with out dropping them. Constant battle with doctors and hospital to find out why.

So you are not alone. Sorry to say

Hi kelly, to give you a short to the point answer. Everything your feeling is exactly how I felt so really try not to worry trust me. Anesthesia Sucked for me to, I was in hosp for 5 days I was also told see the physical therapy guy I could not get up without going to pass out the dizziness was unreal I didn’t see him until 2 solid months after op. I was also “shoved” out of hospital I couldn’t really believe it all it wasn’t really dealt with properly, in the end I had had enough of the crap service tbh and done everything in my power just to get home. Killed me. Brutal operation I’ve had previous ops this one you can’t prepare for. The only advice I can give to you is seriously take it easy don’t over stretch or rush into things but make it a ruteen to do your exercises to keep everything loose you don’t wanna stiffen up. Your only 4 weeks now, I felt like absolute **** for months. I didn’t think it had worked my neck was stiff as a board I couldn’t get out of the house without going to pass out. Everything fades SLOWLY. Months went by i knew something was different but I was all stiff and didn’t know if it had worked, untill the 7th month like a miracle I was all better. Give it time you’ll be alright trust me, this ops brutal. I’d do it all over again because now i have no pain at all I was a very symptomatic patient worst case, now I feel no pain like I’m born again. May seem difficult atm to see a light at the end of the tunnel but I assure you there is one. Jay

Sorry to hear about your rough recovery! Glad to know that even through that all you now say you would do it all over again ! Hope I am the same way and the pain gradually subsides. Thank you for taking the time to respond , it is just nice to know your not alone. Thanks Kelly

Hi Wendy, thank you for taking the time to reply. I am so sorry to hear about your struggle. Really seems like sometime drs don’t really care and people don’t understand how much this can affect your life or your living. I hope that soon they are able to intervene and find a solution to your continued pain. I can’t imagine 2 years like this ! Thank you and best wishes, Kelly

Hi Kelly. Many thanks for your kind words. Only people what have or going this no what is like.

Everybody have a different stages they go threw and recovery. And I am sure you will recover . But take your time don't rush things after op. I think this was my problem. Keep us all updated with your journey to recovery. 👍

Jay you're an inspiration to us all! I hope I can feel born again, pain free, like you one day.

?It's been 6 weeks now since I had my left first rib resection. I thought by now the pain would be going down a little bit. Gabapentin and Lyrica didn't work for me, now I have muscle spasms in addition to the nerve pain. 

I know what you mean about stiffening up. I feel a tugging whenever I move the arm and my neck is still stiff too. I have full range of motion, it just takes me a while to get my arm moved all the way. I can thank my physical therapist for that, she never let me stop moving my arm.

Hello , if anyone else is reading this you do get over the pain you just need to be careful not to over stretch ,I had my right cervical rib removed twice and left once then I had my first and second rib removed from my back which is so painful it's worse that all the ops I've had , I'm not too bad now but it's been a long time had my last op in 1995 when I was 16 ,,so what makes it worse : throwing a ball , ironing , hoovering ,sneezing ,etc painting ceilings or looking up and trying to keep arms up for long periods ,I can go on , get a good pillow only one tho , I live in England and I'm sure everyone on here are from America

Hi mike, thanks for that. I do try, haha. But it’s all the truth. Yes your only 6 weeks it’s still early days mate everyone’s different it took me untill 7 months to feel different. And now it’s brilliant I cannot believe how I feel. I still need my left side done, I’m dreading it, but now I know what to expect and it is worth it in the end. Yeah I had full range but slowly I couldn’t shower properly for weeks on end. It’ll all come together it’s a very slow process. The neck stiffness fades also that took the longest. Make sure you keep up with your exercises daily and keep dosed up on whatever works for you. I was on paracetamol like 3 times a day that worked for me. Hope you’ll be healed soon and up and about Jay