Hi Cathy, I don't think I explained my situation clearly. I was involved in a
collision with a semi trailer last September {I was sided swiped 3 times}. It
was after this that I started having problems. My physiotherapist thought I had
a herniated disc in my neck, CT scan came back normal. My GP sent me for an EMG,
as I was having lots of tingling and numb feeling in my right arm and hand, it
also came back normal. My physiotherapist suggested a referral to a Thoracic
surgeon because of all the pain and other symptoms I was having and finally I
got diagnosed. My concern is being able to do my job. I have been without income
for 4 months now, I really need to get back to work ASAP. My company's insurance
carrier cut me off my benefits as they thought that the reports I got from The
Vascular surgeon saying that I had moderate thoracic outlet,wasn't reason enough
for me not to do my job, which is very repetitive and heavy, I work on a
printing press, where we custom print napkins and then hand pack them.
I am really hoping that I can still do my job, I have applied for another
position in the mill, it is not has repetitive but rather heavy work. I am
fighting to get my benefits paid to me but at the same time hoping to be back at
work within the next 4-6 weeks.
Any information you can give me is greatly appreciated and I do hope you are
having a good day. Thank you once again, Liz.
----- Original Message -----
From: Cathy
To: thoracicoutletsyndrome@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2003 3:09 PM
Subject: Re: [Thoracic Outlet Syndrome] New Members


Liz, I can only give you my opinion based on my knowledge. I was a
medical transcriptionist for over 22 years when TOCS hit me. I was not
able to return to my occupation. I have been attending colleg through
voc rehab but I don't know what I will ever be able to do. Whatever it
is it will be at the most for 3 hours maximum; I live in constant pain
from the TOCs and I also have no cartilege in my kness so I have
several things going on here.

Based on what you told me; since you have a moderate case, you have
been treated with PT. I do want to stress that a lot of living with
this stuff is based on sheer determination to get through it.
Unfortunately I hate to tell you this but if you continue to do the
same type of work you will still most likely have the TOCS symptoms and
they may become worse. Your body reacts to what it does. Due to the
unbearable pain, swollen hands, etc the general stuff you have, mine is
also from the base of the neck into the shoulders and down into the
arms and hands. I had not chioces but to stop. Even going nothing I
was still in horrible pain.

I think you should ask your M.D. about this and tell him your concerns.
The problem is that you have to return to your job because you have not
been evaluated as not being able to perform it based on your tocs.

If I were you, I would look for another type of work before the TOCS
worsens. All you can do now is go back to your job and see how things
go. The M.D. should also put you on retricted time first. My fear
is, based on what I know, is that if you return to your job; your tocs
will continue or possibly worsen. If there is another type of work you
can do within the same company you should look in to that. THIS WILL
BE A VERY SLOW PROCESS. ALL YOU CAN DO NOW IS, RETURN TO WORK WHEN
YOU ARE ADVISED TO, SEE IF YOU CAN GET BACK AT IT PART TIME FIRST, AND
THEN SEE HOW IT GOES. IF YOUR TOCS IS THE SAME OR GETS WORSE WITH WORK
YOU NEED TO TELL THE M.D. ASAP.

IF YOU CAN, SAVE YOURSELF BEFORE IT GETS TOO FAR AND SEE IF THERE IS
ANOTHER TYPE OF JOB YOU CAN DO. SINCE THIS IS WORK RELATED EVEN IF
THEY TREAT YOU WITH PT AND YOU GO BACK TO THE SAME JOB...YOU ALREADY
HAVE TOCS AND YOU WILL BE DOING THE SAME THING AND IT WILL BE THE SAME.
IT COULD WORSEN OVER TIME TO FULL BLOWN TOCS AND MINE STARTED ON ONE
SIDE BUT WENT TO THE OTHER SIDE AFTER THAT..

All you can do right now is go back when you are told to and try to go
back part time...but beging to look around for something else, even get
some more education if you need to. TOCS DOES NOT GO AWAY. IF YOU
CONTINUE TO DO THE SAME JOB YOU COULD END UP EVEN WORSE AND THEN
SURGRY WOULD BE YOUR ONLY OUTCOME. TRY TO SAVE YOURSELF.

THIS SCREWED UP SYSTEM OF M.D.S AND WORK COMP IS NOT FOR THE PATIENT
BELIEVE ME.

YOUR M.D. HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO RETURN YOU TO WORK.

TRY TO SAVE YOURSELF FROM BECOMING PERMANNETLY DISABLED FROM THIS AND
FIND ANOTHER TYPE OF WORK. I WISH I HAD STARTED WHERE YOU ARE... YOU
MIGHT BE ABLE TO SAVE YOURSELF FAST.. BEFORE YOU GET INTO A FULL BLOWN
CASE OF TOCS.

PLEASE ASK OTHER PEOPLE WHAT THEY SAY; BUT THIS IS MY VIEW POINT BASED
ON THE FACTS I KNOW ABOUT TOCS.

You do have choices; we all do. DO WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU...TO SAVE
YOURSELF AND TRY TO KEEP THIS AT A MODERATE ONE SIDED LEVEL SO YOU
DON'T END UP BEING NOT ABLE TO DO YOUR JOB OR DO ANYTHING. IT CAN
HAPPEN.

BE POSITIVE.





=====
Cathy

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