Well the day is here at last :-) not looking forward to the operation but am really keeping my fingers crossed it works and I finally get a good nights sleep.
How did you get on? I have had both sides done ao guess you are a bit tender and still yukky from the op now but honestly it gets better.
good luck
helen
Hi Cobwebs, I'm 2 days on now from the surgery. They found that the cervical rib was crushing my brachial plexus and I also had some nerves running across the top of the rib, various fibrous bands as well. Very sore, my nerve pain is imense at the moment, I'm numb across the top of my shoulder and parts of my arm.
I'm sooooooo relieved that the surgeon found what he did and that I pushed to get it sorted out. It's going to be a long road I think to recovery and fingers crossed the nerve pain will start to settle down but like I say it's early days yet and I think I need to just take it easy, let my lovely partner look after me and recover :-)
my first op was March this year, second on September. I had 12 weeks off work first time and 9 weeks this time as recovering much faster this time for some reason! It does take a while to recover, so take good care of yourself.
My numbness hasnt gone, still cant feel anything from just under my arms right across up to collarbone. It really bothered me at first and although it was numb some things felt like a grater against my skin even some soft fabric. Thankfully that eased off apart from the seat belt in the car which is a bit uncomfortable still but I expect in time it will get better. Main thing is the discomfort you have now is the sort that can get better whereas with the rib there was no real chance of that happening
Take care
Helen
Well nearly a week on from the surgery and the nerve pain seems to be getting worse, my motor function in my arm is rubbish. Has anyone else had this after surgery?
Went to the doctors today about the pain, going to try Tramadol and see if that helps, hopefully it will :-)
never did get the motor function back in my left hand, my thumb muscle is flat no strength but its amazing, I manage using the middle of my hand its like the body adapts but it takes time. I was in a lot of pain before the first op, it didnt get better straight away after the op because you get the op discomfort almost on top. If anything my right side is weaker now than before the op because that one wasnt as bad as the left. But...the specialist said it takes 12 months for nerves to grow back that means plenty of time for it to get better. Main thing is they got the offending bone out, for me it was crushing the artery and had severed some of the nerves, you probably had the same issues so it does take time.
Best of luck hope the pills help
Helen
well its nearly 3 weeks on and to be fair although I am still in pain I am glad I had the operation to remove the cervical rib. I am starting to regain \"normal\" feeling in my litte finger which before the op had pins & needles in so Im taking that as a positive sign. Not back at work and cant see that happenning for a little while yet but am feeling more positive that this nightmare will be over soon. The only thing is the motor function, it is still rubbish but again, gonna keep on with the physio and see how iy goes :-)