Members,
I have a severe case of TOS on both sides from Accumulative Stress Disorder,
from working as a dental assistant for 13 years. Even as an optimist and trying
to believe my body will rid of TOS I still am going to have surgery, in four
months because from what I have heard from most of the people here and my
research that my chances of having less pain are worth the risks. I engaged in
all the prescribed alternative treatments before this decision. I believe in
those treatments.Although I could not do any of them anymore because they flair
me up so bad. My neurologist, Dr.Richard Mendius of Greenbrae, Ca. wondered why
I was flairing up so bad when I told him I was taking yoga and using the leg
machines at the gym. He wasnt happy neither was I. I was mess. My whole body
reacted negatively to the herbs, the streching, the massages which is why Im
back on antiflammatories and 3 other meds. The swimming was in a class with
seniors with a physical therapist for
rehabilitation. We did water Tai Chi.That was wonderful. You cant just go and
jump into a pool and do laps. You need a physical therapist to have someone work
with you in the water. You know water isnt fool proof either. With TOS you cant
do regular laps, well I couldnt even do the breathstroke. Even Yoga really kills
me if I try to do what the healthy people do for the hell of it becuase I think
Im going to somehow get rid of TOS.
I have been told by Dr. Louis Messina, Vascular Surgeon, Chief Board of Staff,
at UCSF that TOS is not curable. Just like fibromyalgia. Your pain may lessen at
times. Whats good for some may be better for others visa versa. I hope everyone
does more than just read these posts to educate themselves about TOS. When I
told myself I would be healed in 5 yrs becuase I am immortal I was wrong.
Fortunatly I have had the best Dr.s and support. Not one Dr. has doubted me nor
will I allow it. I''m lucky.You have to be sure that when you talk to your docs
about pain and your diagnosed TOS that he knows what the heck he's dealing with,
What is his specalty? Has he had TOS training?Does he know about Pain Managment?
Medication and Chronic Pain Supplement 2005
The ACPA Medication and Chronic Pain Supplement is intended to give you general
information about treatments available today. It is not intended to provide
medical advice of any kind. Always discuss your medications fully with your own
physician.
This supplement is updated annually by Steven Feinberg, MD. It was orgiinally
developed by Edward Covington, MD. We are grateful for their efforts.

It is presented as a PDF for downloading and printing. To search the PDF for a
specific topic, click on the binoculars icon on the Adobe toolbar.
Click here to open the Medication Supplement in PDF format.


Links of Interest

AnestCadiz, European website of Anaesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain
Treatment (Spanish language).
http://www.anestcadiz.com



American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM)
http://www.painmed.org/



American Pain Society
http://www.ampainsoc.org



AnestCadiz, European website of Anaesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain
Treatment,
http://www.anestcadiz.net



Annals of Internal Medicaine Alternative Treatment
http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/abstract/136/8/596



Federation of State Medical Boards
http://www.fsmb.org/



Gray's Anatomy
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/gray/



Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide
http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/diagnostics.shtml



Lane Medical Library, Stanford University Medical Center
http://lane.stanford.edu/index.html



MedWeb at Emory University
http://www.medweb.emory.edu/MedWeb/



National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Chronic Pain
Information Page
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/chronic_pain.htm



National Pain Education Council (NPEC)
http://www.npecweb.org/



National Pain Foundation
http://www.painconnection.org/



Official Journal of the American Pain Society
http://www.cityofhope.org/prc/



Principles In Pain Management and Treatment Strategies For Management of Chronic
Malignant Pain and Non-Malignant Pain (online lecture)
http://www.familypractice.com/lectures/pain/lecture_pain_main.htm



Stop Pain: Department of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care, Beth Israel Medical
Center
http://www.stoppain.org/



TMJ Association (TMJA)
http://www.tmj.org/



U.S. National Library of Medicine
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/







. It takes some yrs. just to get a doc or diagnoses. I was lucky. Sometimes
poeple are refused to be heard about their pain. Thats when you say to yourself,
"Ok this is my body, its talking to me and I need help now!"
Do not let Dr.s discurage you from getting the help you need. I am on permanent
disability at age 37 from TOS. The way I see it is after surgery I will begin to
heal. Nothing could be worst then the pain I'm in now with all the pain killers
IM on. there is nothing that could make my life better then taking that last
step, and unfortunatly I am the one who has chosen surgery because the pain has
consumed my thinking and life to point where I cannot refuse it. If I get scar
tissue, so what. At least I will have the chance of working again. Maybe even
taking less meds, or be able to do things I have not done in years. Please pray
for me. This rib resection at the neck could sever some nerves. I know IM taking
a chance although something tells me....Im gonna make it. If I can go the way I
am now...trust me I' will make it, thanks to Dr. Louis Messina, who is one of
the best Vascular Surgeons in the United States. If you are interested in
learning more about TOS go here:
http://search.freefind.com/find.html?id=78017980&pageid=r&mode=ALL&n=0&query=tho\
racic+outlet+surgery

GOD BLESS!!
GIRLYMOM

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