So first…as I told you before, I don’t have carpel or cubital tunnel syndrome! Wahoo! Wait, s what do I have?

What I have, I had to write to down, is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, TOS, for short. Wahoo, it has a name (there was a Golden Girls episode like that, “at least it had a name!”), but what does it mean?

Thoracic outlet syndrome is a rare condition that involves pain in the neck and shoulder, numbness and tingling of the fingers, and a weak grip. The thoracic outlet is the area between the rib cage and collar bone.
(See, told you I was special!) (it’s ok GES, I have a real pain in the neck, it’s not just you!)
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/thoracic-outlet-syndrome/DS00800

So, I drive 45 minutes to go see the doctor who did the EMG because Dr. S. said that since it wasn’t cubital or carpel tunnel, there was nothing more he could do for me (I hope you remember that discussion). After my 45 minute drive, I get in to an exam room pretty quickly and about 10 minutes later (I studied the posters of the body thoroughly), Dr. R. comes in and after pleasantries, he actually asks “Was I supposed to see you again?” Really?

I said yes because Dr. S. suggested I see you since it wasn’t cubital or carpel tunnel. He agreed, especially since it was no longer an issue for a surgeon. Now we’re on the same page, the doctor and I and after that, a successful visit going forward.

Now that we know what’s wrong, it’s a muscle issue instead of a nerve issue (and still workers comp), he decided I would need physical therapy, he left to get me a list of places near me that I could contact for PT (really, I drove all the way in so he could tell me I need therapy and then I leave?)

I saw Dr. S first June 24, EMG with Dr. R scheduled on July 12, then it wasn’t until July 29th that I got a follow up with Dr. S, couldn’t get an appointment with Dr. R until today. I get that schedules at tough, but here it is almost two months later and I’m still in pain and would like to start feeling better.

Dr. R is a very nice person, he remembered me and what I did, we talked about work and posture and what would be included in the PT. Twenty minutes later, list of PT locations in hand and I am back in the car to drive an hour home (traffic). Did I really have to go in for him to tell me I needed PT?

I’ll keep you posted on the PT and my progress, thanks for keeping up with me and worrying.

Ok, I know this was a bit of a rant on top of an update on my “condition”, thanks for listening.