Armpit circulation pain ... aches, numbness & vent :-(

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/14/2003 11:24:47 PM Eastern Standard Time,

jamccoy@... writes:

It started after the surgery where i had no use or feeling of the whole arm,

Hi there,

What happened to your arm? My right arm is killing me these last few days. It

all started as usual at the armpit area. The blood vessels seemed to be

blocked. It is like my circulation is shut off or I have a rubber band there.

Not

completely shut off, just the blood vessels are compressed. It is just enough

to make me miserable. Plus, it comes and goes. This particular time it started

after I boldly stayed up all night sitting up writing and filing my new

medical bills.

So, I would wonder if it is a gland -- it feels like a vein. Or maybe my

shoulder, the shoulder blade, my whole right shoulder, my lungs, my left throat,

etc. I tracked what I did back to <<hard belching of gas and coughing hard over

a stuck piece of popcorn in my throat.>> In all, since four days or so now,

all that remains is pain if I cough. So, I am not coughing, lol. This is not

enough for me to make the trip to the doctor. But it scared me for a while. I

had visions of what might be rupturing in this old EDS body. Years ago, I would

just cough. Nowadays, when I feel I am coughing my lungs up, I consider that I

need to be careful. Please tell me I am paranoid. My esophagus, throat and

lungs cannot be that fragile :-<. Some days, I hate me. Just when I hurt in the

armpits :-O. Like what do I take for this?

Finally, I wondered maybe I just slept wrong. I am squishy of late due to

weight loss. I am matching my hubbies small meals with the selfish goal of

losing

weight :-D. My slight weight loss has made my skin softer, looser and I need

to sleep with pillow under my arms. Good Grief. So, how are we EDSers supposed

to lose weight? My skin is now looser, joints are looser. I need a break. If

I do go to my EDS knowledgeable doctor, I am sure he will just smile and say,

it is NOT all in your head. That when you lose weight, all of the above should

be expected. Or not, I hope. Caro.

____

INTERNET SEARCH: Hey, I just did a search on <<Armpit circulation pain>> and

got Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). Oh Oh ... :-O. Hey guys, could it be

that. Caro.

+++++++++____________+++++++++

[Guest guest]

.... writes:

The blood vessels seemed to be blocked. It is like my circulation is

shut off or I have a rubber band there. Not completely shut off,

just the blood vessels are compressed.

So, I would wonder if it is a gland -- it feels like a vein. Or

maybe my shoulder, the shoulder blade, my whole right shoulder, my

lungs, my left throat,

> INTERNET SEARCH: Hey, I just did a search on <<Armpit circulation

pain>> and got Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). Oh Oh ... :-O. Hey

guys, could it be that. Caro.

TOS was exactly what I was going to suggest you check into. There is

a major bundle of nerves, arteries and veins that pass through the

shoulder area (called the Brachial Plexus). Any of these can be

pinched in several different ways. It is not at all uncommon for

TOS to be misdiagnosed as Carpal Tunnel because they frequently give

the same results - pain, numbness, etc.

TOS is actually fairly easy to test for and treat. Technically it

is Thoracic Outlet Syndromes (plural) because there are really four

main conditions depending on the cause. One is a pinched nerve in

the cervical vertebrae. The other three are called Scalene Anterior

Syndrome, Pectoralis Minor Syndrome and Costoclavicular Syndrome.

From " Massage Therapy - An Approach to Treatments " by Fiona Rattrey:

" Scalene Anterior Syndrome:

The fibres of the brachial plexus must pass through a narrow

aperture between scalenes anterior and medius. Any increased tone

in one of these muscles (usually anterior), will provide enough

compression to produce symptoms. Scarring or adhesions from

injuries (whiplash) or disease (rheumatoid arthritis) can be causes

of compression, particularly if found at the attachments of the

scalenes. Dysfunction or misalignment of the cervical spine may

also be a contributing factor to this syndrome.

Pectoralis Minor Syndrome:

This is also called a hyperabduction syndrome. At the shoulder, the

posterior, lateral, and medial cords of the brachial plexus form a

neurovascular bundle at the axillary artery. In this case, the

compression here occurs where the neurovascular bundle passes

between the tendon of pectoralis minor and the coracoid process of

the scapula. Tractioning is greatest with the arm in abduction, but

even with the arm dependent, enough pressure from postural problems

(hyperkyphosis) or tight pectoralis muscles can cause symptoms to

occur.

Costoclavicular Syndrome:

Symptoms result in this case when the neurovascular bundle is

tractioned between the clavicle and the first rib. This is often

bilateral, indicating a symmetrical postural cause. " Military "

posture (chest out, shoulders back) can lead to the syndrome.

Also see stress reduction, trigger points, whiplash, torticollis,

scoliosis, osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease and

hyperkyphosis treatments for related concerns.

Causes:

External pressure - crutch use, leaning on one elbow or the arm

hanging over a chair.

Internal pressure - bony callus, joint subluxation, muscular

hypertonicity from postural dysfunction, adhesions and scarring

Immune or Metabolic Imbalance - diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis,

kidney disease, alcoholism, malnutrition. "

There are four specific tests that are used to determine which of

the four syndromes might be involved: Adson's Test for Scalene

Anterior Syndrome, Travell's Variation of Adson's Test for Scalene

Medius, 's Hyperabduction Test for Pectoralis Minor Syndrome

and the Costoclavicular Syndrome Test.

In all four cases, the therapist monitors the pulse on the involved

side for 30-60 seconds while having the patient performs specific

motions. If the pulse stays as is, the syndrome is not present. If

the syndrome is present, the pulse will stop within a minute and

more likely within 30 seconds.

If you feel like this is what you have and want to know more details

on treatment protocols, let me know. Also, if you are experiencing

any edema (swelling), I would strongly urge that you check into

lymphatic drainage as well.

Again, this is easily and safely treatable (even for someone with

EDS) with some decent bodywork techniques. The most recent

treatment of the day that I have read about from the other side of

the fence is to surgically remove the first rib through the armpit.

Yes, this would work for Costoclavicular, but not for the other

three. And besides, there are muscles that attach to the first

rib. What do you want to reconnect them to?

[Guest guest]

> Thanks, this sounds like me.

Caro.

There are other possibilities, but TOS would be the first thing I

would check if someone came to me presenting the same conditions.

Like I said, the tests are very quick and easy to do. If you want,

just say the word and I will post them to you.

[Guest guest]

Hiya,

i have had an MRI of my left shoulder. That one was the worst at the time I was

the ortho. He said I have a small tear in it. That's all it showed. He said

the tear wasn't big enough to do surgery, and since ortho's do A LOT of surgery,

I guess I shouldn't worry about it - unless I do something and tear it further.

My neck is a mess. My massage therapist just sighs when she's working on it,

but she has relieved more pain for me than anyone or anything else.

Mon

Re: Armpit circulation pain ... aches, numbness & vent

:-(

> Thanks, this sounds like me.

Caro.

There are other possibilities, but TOS would be the first thing I

would check if someone came to me presenting the same conditions.

Like I said, the tests are very quick and easy to do. If you want,

just say the word and I will post them to you.