Hello everyone, I just joined this community. I'm looking for anyone who can relate or share stories with, and it looks like I found the right place.

In about March of this year I was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. I'm in my second year of college, majoring in music education and I've been playing the flute for about nine years. I've been to 4 doctors since the first one, ranging from a chiropractor to orthopaedic surgeon, and they have all told me the same thing.

I was wondering if any of you have been through this or something similar and what were some things you did to alleviate the pain besides take ibuprofen. I'm currently going to a physical therapist for about 4 weeks now, and have not yet noticed a difference. I've been advised to take a break from playing, and have done so for about a month now, even though this will set me back quite a bit. Not only can I not play for 15 minutes without a significant about of pain throughout my arms and wrists, I find myself being able to do less and less with my hands, such as lifting things, gripping, etc. Technique was my strongest forte in my playing career and now has becomes my weakest because my fingers have become clumsy and lethargic.

Has anyone gotten cortizone shots or been through surgery for this? These are some of my options and I want to thoroughly research them before I consider them.

Also, my main support system, which are my friends and family, can't relate because they don't understand what I'm going through, and some have never even heard of, or see proof of syndroms like these.

Any advice from anyone would greatly be appreciated. Thanks in advance!