Two years after surgery symptoms are all back!
Posted , 4 users are following.
i had a cervical rib for years with no issues, then three years ago it started to calcify causing severe TOS, no pulse or blood pressure in left arm, pins and needles, pain, cold , dead arm, fingers sore or numb or pins and needles. Stopped swimming as I could feel bone grating on collar bone!
fab surgeon, diagnosed quickly and surgery thru neck done inside 8 weeks. Removed the biggest cervical rib he had ever seen lol and also removed my scalene muscles. I was very sore for months, could only take paracetamol but managed ok. Now, two years later, my neck area is painful, I cannot bear to touch where the scar is, the pain inside the surgery area is horrible plus I've got pins and needles all down arm and fingers, getting dead arm, numbness etc.
is this normal after surgery, even fter a few years? GP doesn't know really, gave me tablets to take and a referral to an NHS hospital resulted in a phone call (I live very far away from any specialists now) and o er the phone the guy said I couldn't be getting those symptoms it must be carpel tunnel! I didn't pursue going to see him!
0 likes, 6 replies
Snowcraher helbies12
Posted
I've heard various stories from people. Some have no other symptoms after surgery, some have minor issues, and then some have gotten worse. For me, my surgery was 3.27.16., I have had some instances of reoccuring pain and numbness. I've discovered for myself that usually this is after I sleep on it wrong or spend too long on the computer. In order to get myself back on track I need to go back to my Physical Therapy exercies and excercise over-corrected posture. The posture thing is a bigger help than anything, I will also sleep on the floor, or just lay there when I get the chance. Everyone is different but I don't think the surgery is a complete "fix" just in the fact that for someone like me, almost 40, the nerves have been displaced and even though they are finding a new home, they are already irritated and suseptable to inflammation. I take Lyrica 200mg 3x daily which helps me tremendously with pain. It's typically prescribed for diabetic nerve pain but it works better than Gabapentin, tramadol, all rolled into one. Have you tried acupuncture? I have been lucky to find legit Chinese acupunturists and approx. 2-3x a week for 2-3 weeks usually will have me doing well for months. For me, the surgery had done wonders but I still have the burden of upkeep. I believe the guy on the phone was wrong. He may be well educated and experienced but just because medicine can't explain it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Plus, you should NEVER get any diagnosis or prognosis over the phone. Good luck. I feel your pain. This IS one of the most frustating and irritating things to have the burden to live with, and I have Psoriatic Arthritis!
helbies12 Snowcraher
Posted
I do like acupuncture but am a car trip a ferry then three hours on a train to the nearest one so that's not an option. I do a lot of yoga too that helps, but I'm going to go back to go as this pain is horrid and I think I need something to deal with it.
thankyou for your reply.
CanadianRN helbies12
Posted
Pectoral Minor is a 2ndary entrapment piont for your Neurovascular bundle/Brachial Plexus same symptoms as TOS.... A peck minor tendonotomy is a easy outpatient procedure they cut and go under peck major and cut peck minor tendon where it inserts into the Acriomial process. That's really the only obvious answer unless your surgeon missed something. Or you have a new injury. Try releasing peck minor using trigger points or massage (deep) that may validate the issue!
helbies12 CanadianRN
Posted
CanadianRN helbies12
Posted
Good luck most surgeons don't know about it....you can reference "up to date" it's a Harvard research website on all things medical. The Residents & Doctors use it when they don't know what's wrong....evidence based!
Snowcraher CanadianRN
Posted
You're a WEALTH of information CanadianRN. I really appreciate reading your responses. It's nice to see someone with good references answering our questions. Thanks for your time on here. S:]