My TOS Life: August 2015

Writers can't write when their computers disable them. My story of how Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and Repetitive Strain injuries stole my excellent nursing job and years of pursuing my writing career is on The Creative Penn blog today. If you depend on a computer to get through your day please read how you can prevent life-changing injuries.

Broken, Not Bitter .

An Author's Life with RSI

What is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) is a complicated collection of neurological and vascular problems in the head, neck, shoulders, chest, arms and hands caused by pressure on the nerves and vessels in the thoracic outlet area. This area is the space between the clavicle and the first rib where the nerves and blood vessels pass on their way to the arms from the neck. Most common symptoms are: neck and shoulder pain; chest wall pain; upper extremity pain; headaches; heaviness of the upper extremities; numbness and tingling of arms and hands; weakness of arms and hands; swelling of fingers and hands; discoloration of the fingers, usually blue, but sometimes white; cold hands and/or fingers (may only be one or two fingers).

How Do You Get TOS?

It's not hard to get TOS. It happens frequently to computer users, athletes (such as swimmers, baseball, basketball, and tennis players) and hairdressers. Why? Because all of these activities either require over-the-head arm action or static postures, leading to repetitive strain injuries (i.e. tight or spastic muscles, inflammation, tendinitis, bursitis.) In my case, poor ergonomics at a computer work station combined with static postures was the culprit. TOS is also found in people who have cervical ribs, extra ribs found between the clavicle and the first rib. TOS may be relieved by physical and occupational therapy, massage, and correction of ergonomics. In many cases, although as a last resort, the surgical removal of the first (and/or cervical) ribs is performed in an effort to gain relief.

The TOS Shuffle

Shuffle: n 1: an evasion of the issue 2: a confusing jumble (as of papers or events)
Merriam Webster

The TOS Shuffle: n the method in which a person with suspected Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is shuttled through endless and often useless doctor's appointments, exams, tests, and treatments over a long period of time, perhaps years, before a definitive diagnosis is made.

My TOS Shuffle:
one physiatrist, four neurologists, two orthopedists, three thoracic surgeons, two vascular surgeons, four anesthesiologists, one rheumatologist, three occupational therapists, 11 physical therapists, three massage therapists, one acupuncturist, one chiropractor, four hospitals, three lawyers, two judges, six case managers, one claims adjuster, four MRI's, three EMG studies, six chest x-rays, one nerve block, one SSEP study, umpteen medications, three surgeries.

My TOS Team

Michael Daras, MD, PhD - Neurology
Ekong B. Ekong, MD - Occupational Medicine
Lyall Gorenstein, MD - Thoracic Surgery
Winston Kwa, MD - Occupational Medicine
Kaiyu Ma, MD, PhD - Neurology
James Romano, DC - Chiropractic
Samir Sodha, MD - Orthopedics
Daniel Tomlinson, MD - Orthopedics
Nelson Wong, MD - Rehabilitation Medicine
Access Physical Therapy and Wellness
Tom Chi, The Pain Whisperer
Mt. Sinai Center for Occupational & Environmental Medicine
Subtle Energies Holistic Health Center
Ouimette, Goldstein & Andrews, LLP

My TOS Life

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Broken, Not Bitter. An Author's Life with RSI (and TOS)