So here is the Bottom Line...
I have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.
Where it can be something that pops up from repetitive motion (like carpal tunnel)... It can also be the culmination of years of pounding on a structural anomaly (birth defect). I happen to be an example of the later. T-O-S is basically when the clavicle (collarbone) compresses the nerves, blood vessels, arteries and Veins against the first rib. It can be overlooked because it doesn't interfere with everyday life until the arm is raised. What happens then is the circulation is then cut off.
This syndrome has been lurking around for nearly all my life. I have always had poor circulation. I have known there was an issue for many years, but made adjustments for it. But I no longer can. I have a funky birth defect in my collarbones. It was brought to light when I was in 6th grade and I was injured at an amusement park. I hadn't thought about that incident or issue since pretty much that summer. But through the years of Car accidents, Martial Arts, Trips / falls, computer key punching, weight gain and bad posture... I now have constant pain in my arm (from the clots) and my neck / back from whatever else is going on. That last fall off the waterfall was the final blow. That is when the neck started hurting. That is when my arms started to fall asleep and go numb when I was sleeping. Now remember it wasn't the event that caused this, it was just the last shock to my body that it just couldn't recover from.
Prognosis is... I have to have 2 procedures. Well actually 3. First thing they have to do is get rid of the clots. They will do a rotor-rooter clog buster thing on them. That is an out-patient procedure. Then a couple days later... They will go in and surgically remove a portion or all of my first rib on the left side. After I recover from that, they will go in and do the right side. This will give my the space needed for all the stuff that needs to fit through that gap.
Basically, There goes my summer and my emergency fund.
But hey, if can reduce the amount of pain I'm feeling... that is a great thing. What's even better, I have gotten a second opinion that both clotting events were not related. So I won't have to be on blood thinners for the rest of my life... at least not this early. That is a total relief.
So there you go That is what's going on.
Where it can be something that pops up from repetitive motion (like carpal tunnel)... It can also be the culmination of years of pounding on a structural anomaly (birth defect). I happen to be an example of the later. T-O-S is basically when the clavicle (collarbone) compresses the nerves, blood vessels, arteries and Veins against the first rib. It can be overlooked because it doesn't interfere with everyday life until the arm is raised. What happens then is the circulation is then cut off.
This syndrome has been lurking around for nearly all my life. I have always had poor circulation. I have known there was an issue for many years, but made adjustments for it. But I no longer can. I have a funky birth defect in my collarbones. It was brought to light when I was in 6th grade and I was injured at an amusement park. I hadn't thought about that incident or issue since pretty much that summer. But through the years of Car accidents, Martial Arts, Trips / falls, computer key punching, weight gain and bad posture... I now have constant pain in my arm (from the clots) and my neck / back from whatever else is going on. That last fall off the waterfall was the final blow. That is when the neck started hurting. That is when my arms started to fall asleep and go numb when I was sleeping. Now remember it wasn't the event that caused this, it was just the last shock to my body that it just couldn't recover from.
Prognosis is... I have to have 2 procedures. Well actually 3. First thing they have to do is get rid of the clots. They will do a rotor-rooter clog buster thing on them. That is an out-patient procedure. Then a couple days later... They will go in and surgically remove a portion or all of my first rib on the left side. After I recover from that, they will go in and do the right side. This will give my the space needed for all the stuff that needs to fit through that gap.
Basically, There goes my summer and my emergency fund.
But hey, if can reduce the amount of pain I'm feeling... that is a great thing. What's even better, I have gotten a second opinion that both clotting events were not related. So I won't have to be on blood thinners for the rest of my life... at least not this early. That is a total relief.
So there you go That is what's going on.