Kari I think you are right on. CSMESS and I were talking about this last summer. Thoraic sympathectomy syndrome (TSS) , ETS syndrome (ETSS), or sympathectomy syndrome (SS). A nice acronym would be helpful, but I can't think of a great one. The doctor at NIH says "surgically induced autonomic failure" (SIAF).

You are abosolultey correct that a name is a very valuable tool. It goes with the thread I started called "The theft of words and the battle for mindspace".

When you say, "I had this surgery and it gave me these side effects and now I feel like . . . " , well,that's a lot of processing for the listener. But if you say, "I have TSS". Bam. Much more impact.

As far as the studies and publications which will make it "official", eventually that will come, and it will come at our request. Doctors respond to complaints. We have to continue to make as much noise as possible. Language evolves, and it is shaped by people who dare to shape it.

Catchy yet accurate acronym anyone?