My assessment of physical therapy, so far.

My ear and jaw pain was gone for two days. I say 'was', because right after going to p.t. the other day, the pain was back. Seven hours later, the feeling of a knife in my ear, head, and upper trap is still there. Add to that a discussion about nerve gliding and working on the stiffness in my neck/spine leading up to eventually doing the arm bike (which I loathe from previous experience) and the rowing machine to gain strength. A wall went up in my mind as soon as p.t. mentioned this, even though he tried to talk me through it.
"I wouldn't take you through what we've been working on to calm and normalize things just to throw you on a machine for you to flareup, we're going easy. But still, we are headed that direction."
I'm so nervous about that. I'm sure it showed on my face.

He patted me, said the return of the pain was just temporary.

He talked to me about the pain cycle a bit.  Using E-stim is supposed to help temporarily break that pain cycle, hopefully long enough to give me a chance to be more active, gain some strength.

My assessment of p.t. at this point-
Sometimes I leave p.t. in more pain than I went in with, which is a downer.
Having that pain several hours later, and the next day- is a bummer.
Feeling like I'm at the mercy of the pain is depressing.
I want to believe things will get better.
Wondering if maybe it -"just is what it is", and I should stop torturing myself.
And then...I wake up one day without pain, and that is a good day!

Plus, I have to admit, my ear, jaw, head pain is not constant like it was for a long time. Since starting p.t., the pain comes and goes now-with no predictability, but its not all the time--a definite improvement.
So I'll keep doing all the exercises and stick with p.t.

I hope my experience with therapy will be helpful and give some hope to my fellow TOSers...because we TOSers need hope.

Gentle hugs~

If you know what's good for you...

Why is it we resist change, even (sometimes especially) when we know it's what's best for us?
I have posted tips here, things that may help alleviate some TOS symptoms.
Do I follow my own advice?
Mmmm...not always so much.

I want to do Feldenkrais lessons daily-but they are so long - 45 min.
I sit in this chair that is so terrible for my neck and back. But it is warm and comfy and closest to the tv.
I do not drink enough water.
I am looking down at my laptop typing at this very moment.
I put my hair up in a ponytail yesterday and my neck felt stiff, unbalanced, and today hurts.
I have not done rom exercises in forever.
I've not been clipping the dog's leash on my belt, and she jerked my arm the other day, the muscle between my shouderblades in back is still recovering.

It's no wonder I fear I'm always on the brink of a flare up, an episode of debilitating pain.
I want to live as if this TOS is just an occasional visitor instead of a permanent unwelcome resident.
And I guess I do live that way alot of the time.
"Slow down." "Don't do that."- echoes in my head.
I keep going, ignoring the nagging of what I know is good for me.

And I know what is good for me because I have spent so much time reading about TOS and treatments, etc while I have been unable to do anything else, saddled by pain.

So when TOS eases up, I try to forget it and all the TOS rules.
I know I'm not doing myself any favors in the long run.
Stupid TOS.

And we're off!

Happy New Year to my fellow TOSers out there.
I hope it will be one of minimal discomfort for us all.

So far in this new year, that has not been the case for me.
Since my right rib resection a few years ago, I do have many days of little to no pain.
But there is always this dark dreadful little cloud that follows me around.
That question- Will today be the day I move the wrong way or over do it?
Will I flare up and be sent into the familiar cycle of inflamation, pain, spasms, aching??



Indeed I am dealing with a big flareup right now.
Quite frustrating on top of all the things I try to juggle hoping to feel better for longer stretches at a time.
My microwave rice packs have been my friend the last several days.
Lots of water, push myself to keep moving-even though I am twisted and bent from the muscles locked in spasm.

My left arm throbs.

That's what started this whole crishendo of muscles and nerves misfiring.
I was half awake early on the last morning of 2011, and I began to stretch, and twisted my neck in just the wrong way...which is easy to do with hunking cervical ribs in the way...and shoot if I didn't know immediately I was in for it.
Sigh.
So it's been ibuprophen, eating light, lots of tea and music to lighten my mood.
Hot shower, trying taking some Omega 3's for inflamation, went on a little ride in the car-with someone else driving.
Back home to lay flat.
Resisting muscle relaxers and heavier pain meds if I possibly can this time around.
I hurt-but the meds tear my insides up.
It is really work to not get sucked into the pitts when youre in pain.

Just another day on my journey...with TOS.

To my own detriment

So recently I've been tapping away on my trusty laptop alot, violating every one of the tip I've given for avoiding TOS pain.
Sitting in the slouchy recliner.
Laptop on my lap...looking *down* for extended periods.
Also tried to use pruning shears to trim out in the yard.
(What was I thinking?!)


Well I am paying for it today, let me tell you.
OW.
So to all my fellow TOSers out there, be wary of slacking off and not minding the little ways you have come to compensate to avoid pain.
Don't be a slacker like me.
If you suffer with TOS, you know its worth it.