Hi my name is Shawna. I was just diagnosed with TOS. I have had
complications every since I was a little girl. Mostly with my left
hand swelling and being numb.

I had a venogram yesterday and it was so obvious that my collar bone
was pressing on my ribcage and hendering bloodflow and my vein is so
large to compensate for the lack of flow through. My Dr. a vascular
surgeon whom I adore suggested I try and adjust my posture for a
month. He wants me to type with my arms away from my body sort of in
a rounded position (kind of reminds me of a creepy organ player in an
old film). I cant do much though until I get my new keyboard tray
in. He also wanted me to stand with my shoulders lifted (I guess
trying to get my collarbone raised). After a month he wants to see
me again to see how things are going. He said that the surgery is
such a major one that he wants to exhaust all other options.

My questions are: Does anyone with any experience with this have any
congenital defects besides the extra cervical rib. I don't have an
extra rib, but the left side of my ribcage is about 1-2" higher than
the right side (kind of resembles a mass in the middle of my chest).
Im just wondering that with this deformation, will there be any other
issues.

Are there any braces that can help me correct my posture?

Are there any long term effects if this goes untreated? I had a
bloodclot about 9 years ago in my left hand. Do you think that this
was a result from my condition?

Please feel free to email me at sragland@...

I am so glad to have found this group!!

=)

Shawna