Trish--I can imagine how scared you must feel. For most of us who have been reasonably healthy for most of our lives, it is difficult to suddenly start facing aging and the serious medical problems that often accompany it. Our own mortality simply stares us in the face. I have had times of great fear.

For me, I find that my faith REALLY helps, and I am able to let go of the fear and enjoy my life. Not everybody seeks that or finds it helpful, but I find it enormously comforting.

Sometimes, the fear comes back, and I have to address it anew. I can only imagine how it must feel being told that you are a candidate for sudden death.....at every moment, you must wonder.....Trish, you must feel like you walk a precipice every day.

BTW, I wouldn't hesitate to get a second opinion. This kind of thing is too critical not to be certain that you are getting the best treatment and care.


Kathy, LOL---at the brunch, we'll have to sit opposite each other so we don't have to turn our heads to the side, to be ablt to talk, LOL, LOL.

I think you'll find the PT will help. I think that TOS and Radiculopathy are a kind of "vicious cycle" situation. You get the pain, you start tensing up and accomodating and compensating by involving other muscle groups, they get inflamed, and pretty soon, you have severe pain everywhere..... And this is in addition to whatever structural/mechanical problems may also be exacerbating the situation. I also have bursitis and arthritis, and those situations, I know add to the mix.

There are a couple of good radiculopathy/TOS websites, just google the subject.

I've tried massage outside of PT, too, and I find that it does less good than the massage offered by trained physical therapists.....

I think cruising sounds like the BEST therapy........ :D