Is Thoracic Outlet a common condition w/Chiari

[lynnbrook177]

I've been reading up on this because I have had a lot ot thoracic pain that travels to my left shoulder and down my arm to my hand.  It is just a dull ache most days, but enough to be bothersome.  It worsens with strain, and if I do strain, I can have neuro nausea and fatigue along with it.

Has anyone else been diagnosed with this.

Thanks, H

[lynnbrook177]

Yes, good to know! Thanks!

[selmaS]

  Thank u for sharing that as that is what I have felt about the dx, but not going thru it myself am only going on research and what I have read other members have been thru.

Great info : )

[Dicon]

I was diagnosed with TOS and I believe it was a misdiagnosis b/c I still have all of the sx despite having both 1st ribs removed.  The Dr claimed that my ribs were causing the compression of my subclavian veins. I actually ended up with a DVT in my left arm...had to have thrombolysis followed by 5 days in the hospital on IV Heparin.  After both ribs were removed I continued having all the sx and the Dr treated me like I was crazy.  I agree that I think the chiari stuff mimics TOS sx for sure!  I was sent for a repeat CTA to see if things looked fine after the ribs were removed and there is still compression even though the ribs are gone.  Baffling!  Thankfully I have a great PCP who agreed that I shouldn't be taken off the blood thinner until we know what's going on.

[selmaS]

  All I know is the symptoms r the same as chiari or a syrinx....and we r told not to lift our arms higher then our shoulders and those with  bracial plexis can not lift them that high....so I am not sure if the act of lifting them would be what compresses them...I can not seem to find a deff statement on that fact.

[lynnbrook177]

I have done some reading and it said that when the bracial plexis nerves are compressed, it can cause pain in the shoulder/thoracic.  Have you ever heard of these particular nerves being compressed in Chiari cases?

[selmaS]

  What I understand about TOS is that when u lift ur arms above ur shoulders it can cause issues, well with Chiari we r also told not to lift our arms above our shoulders....so I am not sure if this is y there is confusion with the Drs as they do not know much about Chiari...JMHO

[lynnbrook177]

OK, thanks Selma.  Seeing my neurologist soon, will let you know what he says.  Went for a thoracic and lumbar mri back in June to look into this thoracic pain I was having and they seem to have made a mistake and only checked from T7 down.  I was so annoyed!  I'm sure my neuro will want to see what's going on in there now.  The only part of my spine that has not been looked at is the part that is giving me pain.

[selmaS]

  I have yet to read it is connected, I have heard of many that were dx'd this and then it was not the actual condition they had...so I can not help u further then that, I do know it is brought up and time and again with those that have Chiari as it can have some similar issues.