So my girlfriend has "thoracic outlet syndrome". - General Health Message Board

MrZeely · 04-22-2006, 01:56 PM

Sorry i couldnt find a better place to put this, so i just put it on a general board.

But today my girlfriend woke up in the middle of the night with excruciatingly sharp pains in her chest, like beyond painful. She went to the doctor and they said she might have "thoracic outlet syndrome". I researched around on the internet a little bit, and i cant find a good definition of it and the basic symptoms dont really meet what she has.

Can someone explain thoracic outlet syndrome to me? Is it dangerous? Is it permanent? Is it something to worry about or will it be gone in a few weeks?

moesciphish · 04-22-2006, 05:21 PM

From what I've read: "Thoracic outlet syndrome is a combination of pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or coldness in the upper extremity caused by pressure on the nerves and/or blood vessels in the thoracic outlet. The common underlying cause of the syndrome is compression of the nerves and arteries of the arm in the Thoracic Outlet." Which raises a question with me.. because I've had all types on pain in my chest.. thought was GERD and maybe heart.. still looking in to those... but I've also been sleeping on my couch alot with one arm cocked behind my head in the air.. and when I do sleep in a bed, I sleep on one of my arms with it stretched out above my head.... makes me wonder...

moesciphish · 04-22-2006, 05:28 PM

From what I've read: "Thoracic outlet syndrome is a combination of pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or coldness in the upper extremity caused by pressure on the nerves and/or blood vessels in the thoracic outlet. The common underlying cause of the syndrome is compression of the nerves and arteries of the arm in the Thoracic Outlet." Which raises a question with me.. because I've had all types on pain in my chest.. thought was GERD and maybe heart.. still looking in to those... but I've also been sleeping on my couch alot with one arm cocked behind my head in the air.. and when I do sleep in a bed, I sleep on one of my arms with it stretched out above my head....plus.. my fingers and hands have been unusually cold lately... makes me wonder...

MrZeely · 04-22-2006, 07:53 PM

Well i just talked to her since she got out, and well its not THAT serious, or at least she has it really minor. She explained something like a nerve was pinched so the muscles around it will start to swell up, and it makes all of those muscles ache really badly, and her heart hurt because the muscles were swelling around her chest.

Its not that serious, or her case isnt at least.