other symptoms whilst having cervical ribs?

Hi purpleskimp I certainly will do il let you all know step by step on how I get on .u decided to go for the op mainly because I want a bit of normality back

Hi, 15 months since your op ! I really hope the pain is a lot better, have you had both done now !. what's normal, forgot what that is since I have had all this pain, had it since early January. been treated for heart problems in and out of hospital ! but they could not find anything ! tests all come back normal for heart, but still on heart tablets ! pain has got so bad on more tablets and heat cream for all around my neck and shoulders and breast bone ! had x-ray which confirms cervical rib on both sides !! been advised to have then removed because of damaged they will do ! but my heart doc does not think this is my problem !! o what fun !! I no it the problem the consultant showed me x-ray. and he was surprised to see how big they were and that they had gone pasted my collar bone and down into my chest first rib ! and that why I am in so much pain, !!!! just want it to go away . any advice !

Operation date getting closer each day ...... nervous :s

Hi adi2 I bet you are nervous I know I was it is scary stuff. When is your operation, that is the days of pain left, it's the best way to look at it. I came out of hospital the same day, the wound looked terrible at first but you can hardly see it now. You must take care after the op to allow it to heal properly as it is a very deep wound. But if you take care you will have freedom again!

Thanx ... its just the not knowing what to expect ...lol

Has your surgeon told you about the procedure and the risks? I guess it's the uncertainty of the outcome which you want know units it's over and then the nerves have to heal from any damage which can be slow. If you want to know about te op let me know

PAIN FREE !!! what bliss "keep that in your mind" That's what I did with my other op's. have you had any other op's so you no that you not sick after anaesthetic ? I love anaesthetic ! weird person I no. but it's amazing put you out, and before you no it all done !

Hello,

I cannot express what a revelation it was for me to find this thread. I am 27 and I have been having headaches since I was about 15. I could write a novel here on everything I have tried and experienced. It has effected everything in my life. I have a dull headache and lightheadedness all day every day interspersed with excruciating massive headaches that land me in the ER. I've seen many neurologists and have many MRIs, EEGs, tried every conceivable pill. It wasn't until about 2 years ago that someone thought to X-Ray my neck, and it was a chiropractor. He found 2 cervical ribs, the right one much larger. The chiropractor helped. Amitriptyline daily helped. Acupuncture helped more than anything else. Nothing has completely solved it.

I thought finding the ribs was the answer I had been looking for, but no one made much of it. I was doing alright for a while, but the past few months have been brutal. I ended up seeing a new neurologist 2 weeks ago and after hearing about the ribs, she did a nerve test in my neck and found a pinched nerve. She said an MRI could tell us more, but it wouldn't change the treatment. Her treatment suggestion was... over the counter Aleve. I think she thinks I am seeking drugs. I live in NYC now and practically every doctor here seems to conclude this when you say you are in pain.

What I am seeking though, deep down since the day I saw the X-Ray, is to have the right rib removed. I was told it was only a last resort. I am convinced it would solve everything, now more than ever. I've done physical therapy and occupational therapy, even after finding the rib, I do the stretches, I've already tried everything. I've even had ulnar nerve surgery in my elbow, before the finding the rib. That doctor didn't give a second of thought to my neck. I have just about every symptom that can come from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. I would be really grateful to hear more about everyone's experience with the surgery. I am hoping if I take the nerve test to another doctor and get an MRI and everything that might be the eventual outcome. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope every one is pain free.

Danielle, you need to seek out a specialist in thoracic outlet syndrome. Dr Donahue in Boston is one of the best over there from what I've heard. You need to see a vascular surgeon ideally.

There is a group on Facebook if you are on there, just search thoracic outlet syndrome, some very knowledgable people in there.

Surgery is not to be entered into lightly. It's a major surgery and doesn't always work & can leave you worse than before. Which is why having the best surgeon is important.

Good luck, it is a hard road to travel.

Thank you Jopo. I actually just made an appointment with a vascular surgeon here in New York. My family is in Rhode Island, so I'm thinking about having the surgery in RI or Boston and staying there for the first week or 2 so I can have people to take care of me. I will definitely check out Dr. Donahue. I agree that I have to take my time and find the right person. But I am excited to find out more with the tests and such. I will check out the Facebook page. Thanks again!

Ask any prospective surgeon questions! How many of these ops does he perform, how many are sucessful, what does he feel your chances of sucess are, his definition if sucess I.e how improved does he think you will be. Google your dr, see what other people say about him. It's a major surgery & you really do want the best. It can be a very difficult tricky surgery too at the best of times. An inexperienced dr can really mess things up & that has life long ramifications & possible disability.

xx

Hi Danielle Jopo is right you must research your surgeon and surgery must be the last resort. It is very risky, I also had carpel tunnel and ulna surgery before the rib was found. I had surgery but this was a hard decision I am solo much better but do get times of pain. Surgery is very complicated and as Jopo says you can come out worse, you must make sure you have a surgeon who knows what they are doing. I researched my surgeon and asked loads of questions, it is rare surgery so surgeons want to do it. I ended up going private to ensure an experienced surgeon performed mine. Good luck xxx

Surgery in two weeks time.... not worried at all now like before ...just want it over n done with x

Thanks Jopo and Purpleskimp. Unfortunately the appointment with the surgeon didn't go like I hoped. The doctor and his assistant laughed at me somewhat nicely and said that TOS doesn't cause headaches. That was basically that. I'm going to talk it over with my old neurologist and see what she thinks. I still think it's worth exploring with an MRI in the neck. Maybe the neurologist will do it.

Hi Daniel, really sorry to hear there comment ! I my self have got my appointment on Monday evening at 6.45, better not give me a comment like that ! because will not be leaving the till I they listen to me, waited along time ! have xray's and ct scan have it showed cervical ribs. been in to much pain to be shoved off. in my case it showed cervical ribs and a heart problem ! so that was a shock, so before anything can be done, got to have stents but in for widen my arteries ! Did you go in on your own ! you need to be strong with some of these consultants ! let me no how you get on. This is a great site with talking to others, it can give you a lot more information and help you with questions and how to cope with the pain.

Wendy