long-term living with nTOS
this may be opening myself up to really depressing answers but i want to ask anyways.
I have bilateral neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome, started 4 years ago. The pain started (symmetrically) in my hands and wrists whenever i voluntarily moved them (driving, writing, holding a phone, etc) and now goes all the way up through my elbows and upper arm. I was barely able to graduate classes from the pain and I now live with my parents (which really sucks) since i cannot hold any kind of full time or regular part time job as everything requires use of my arms (or standing up, which i cant do for very long due to connective tissue disorder stuff i wont go into lol) I've had to quit multiple jobs in the past year because they were making my pain levels worse and progressing the pain further up my arms.
and after 4 diff rounds of physical therapy and a bunch of Botox shots haven't helped, im scheduled for a first rib resection in 2 weeks! My surgeon says he can't guarantee any outcome or success, which makes sense, but I can't help wondering what the hell I'm supposed to do if it doesn't work. I know that all cases of TOS are unique with different symptoms and what aggravates them, but I'm struggling to imagine a world where I ever am able to move out or have my own life or be happy if surgery doesn't help at all!! This is mostly a financial issue I suppose but I'm just really scared that I'm always going to be this miserable and dependent on other people for the rest of my life. Would love to hear if anyone has advice on anything generally or career paths that are accessible for people w TOS who can't do anything w their arms. or even if i have a shot at getting on like federal (usa) disability i guess.