Intercostal Nerve Problems Need Answers

Treatments, Rehabilitation, and Recovery
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ezra
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2002 5:55 pm

Intercostal Nerve Problems Need Answers

Post by ezra »

Hi, I'm bi-lateral TOS, right side dominant. I was in two auto accidents, chest trauma, T-spine compression fractures,rib fractures, and have ulnar nerve damage on the right along with whole arm involvement. The left side has gradually caught up to the right. I've been having left chest wall pain,and down the left arm. I also have hyperhydrosis on the arm to hand and the left side of my chest only. This happens mostly at night, I wake up soaked and in terrible pain. It's like I'm being crushed or squeezed. My specialist says, "Don't worry, it's not a heart attack." I know it is the intercostal nerve but what can be done to stop these symptoms? They did mention deadening the nerve. Has anyone had this done? How was the outcome? I can't understand why this happened so quickly.
jennyb
Posts: 1183
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2001 5:24 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: January 1980 Yamaha RD200 vs 16 wheeler truck, result, 1 totally paralysed right arm. I was 21, now 54. I had no surgery, I don't regret this. Decided to totally ignore limitations (easily done aged 21) adapted very quickly to one handed life, got married, had 3 kids, worked- the effect of the injury on my life (once the pain stopped being constant) was minimal and now, aged 54, I very rarely even think of it, unless I bash it or it gets cold, then I wish I'd had it amputated :) Except for a steering knob on my car, I have no adaptations to help with life, mainly because I honestly don't think of myself as disabled and the only thing I can't do is peel potatoes, which is definitely a good thing.

Re: Intercostal Nerve Problems Need Answers

Post by jennyb »

Ezra, you need to check out your options caefully. I'm not sure how long it is since your accidents, and i'm not all that up on TOS...there's a poster here called Nan from Ontario who has a good website about TOS and who is very knowledgeable, if anyone has her email or website addy please post it here for Ezra. What methods have been used to ontain a diagnosis, are these symptoms normal for TOS? If your specialist is dismissive of your concerns find another one, you shouldn't be worrying like this. Hope things improve soon for you :0)
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