Answers!

I officially have answers and a solution so I’m comfortable sharing what’s been going on the last few months.

I definitely have a form of thoracic outlet syndrome but the doctor says I’m still not presenting like a regular patient. Go figure.

My CT showed a Focal high grade (more than 70%) stenosis (narrowing/compression) of the proximal (front) right subclavian artery.

The doctor is going do a rib resection surgery on Thursday – I’m so relieved, I keep crying.

Tomorrow’s going to be very busy as we prepare for my surgery. In addition to a nerve conduction study, I have pre-op labs and also have to meet with the PA for a preop appointment.

Then I have to be there early Thursday so they can do a Covid test and then my surgery is sometimes after noon. My husband will be able to stay with me and are saying I will be able to go home Friday. It’s supposed to be a pretty quick recovery and I should be back to normal within a couple of weeks.

Are you lost and confused? Keep Reading!

Feb. 1

My right deltoid started bothering me back in June. About 3 months ago it got worse. The last 4-5 weeks it’s been unusable so I’ve pretty much been stuck in bed.
I finally went to to the doctor two weeks ago and he said he wanted to start physical therapy on it but that’s only made it worse.

He said he would consider an MRI after six weeks of physical therapy but I can’t handle it anymore and he’s can’t give pain meds to control the pain because there’s no break.

I can’t put any weight on it or lift/extend it without level 10 screaming in pain. I already don’t have my legs so it’s nearly impossible to function with one arm.

Needless to say life has been pretty miserable. Just today My right arm/hand is paler and colder then other arm – occasionally Feels icy cold. If it starts to turn blue we will go to the ER.

I went back to the doctor and he no longer thinks it’s a shoulder issue and has referred me to a cardiothoracic surgeon So he can test me for thoracic outlet syndrome. I see him tomorrow at 11.

Feb. 2&3

The Cardio thoracic surgeon doesn’t think it’s thoracic outlet syndrome but we have pain management, a CT, MRI & nerve conduction study scheduled. I went to the pain management doctor & She wants me to try gabapentin. Baby steps.

Feb. 7

Feb. 10

CT/MRI are done.
Now I wait to hear from doctor.
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I did not have to bend my arm up over my head, in a painful position. I was able to keep it down by my side which wasn’t great but didn’t cause sharp pains