?MS hug suggestions

[Poppy7402]

I think I'm currently experiencing an MS hug - it feels like a gorilla has got hold of me and keeps giving me a darned good squeeze around my chest.  Is there anything non medication I can do to try to help it?  As I'm not yet diagnosed I've got nothing to take for it and don't know what I should do to get some relief.

Thanks

Poppy

[Poppy7402]

I really hope what I'm experiencing is anxiety as its far more palatable than the other options.

I haven't done anything physical in the last few days, especially since Friday as I was told not to lift anything with the retinal holes.  No chest infections or anything else going on either.  The only thing different was that I felt a bit 'off' yesterday when I got up in the morning.

I had even wondered whether the gorilla hug was related to the new painkiller I started on Friday but I've had this thing a couple of times before, although never as bad.  The first time I bent over to pick up the cat and got a pain going all the way across my chest.  It only lasted a minute or so.  The second time I was lying in bed reading a book and it went all the way around my ribs, but again only lasted for a minute or so.  

What I wouldn't give to feel good again and be able to get back out with my beautiful horses.  If I didn't feel so gross I'd just console myself with chocolate but even that doesn't appeal at the moment.

Poppy

[doublevision1]

great feedback, JJ!

[supermum_ms]

Its always a good idea to keep in mind, that the NZ medical system is very different to the one in the USA but even 'if' what you are experiencing actually was the MS Hug, it's a sx that's connected to spinal lesions, so an ophthalmologist really wouldn't be able to help at all.

I'm going to go out on a limb and hopefully get you thinking.... you really should consider and explore the possibility that it was/is anxiety related or even one of the other possible causes because sometimes it's not what you're thinking, its something else that has nothing to do with MS.

Obviously if your anxiety is running high at the moment, then logically anxiety is a possible explanation but that doesn't automatically mean its the 'only' explanation. People who are dealing with Health anxiety can sometimes read about a condition and it is only after they have read about sx's, that they then start to worry and experience sx's of that condition. I am 'not' saying that is what's happened to you but saying it to get you thinking about your anxiety pattern.

There are physical causes too, you've mentioned before that you moved a huge number of hay bales, so could you of done something to your back, muscles, ribs etc just recently? Hows your breathing, do you have a chest infection, allergy, asthma etc. Just think about what you did before, how it behaves and possible why's etc you may come up with an alternate answer on your own but it still needs to be investigated by your Dr.  

You haven't been dxed with anything yet, this could be 'a' clue, a piece of the puzzle that leads towards the answer for you, maybe not but its still something that your GP should be able to follow up on and rx medication if necessary.

Cheers.........JJ  

[doublevision1]

I usually cool off this way via cool bath.  I can and do lay there for hours.

[doublevision1]

Good point Dennis, this works for me too for many of my symptoms.  I never tried it for the hug, but it can really lessen the gnawing relentless pain and discomfort in my limbs as well as Lhermittes, and blurry/double vision when it acts up.

[Sailorsong]

What helps me when I get the HUG is to get myself really cold. But and I can't stress this enough don't cool yourself off with an ice pack or anything like that. That just make my muscles cramp up even more. To cool off I will take a cool shower and then turn on the AC in my bedroom to get it down to 65. After about an hour the pain starts to subside. I actually use this for leg cramps, itching legs, etc. as well.

I came up with this treatment since I know that heat makes my symptoms worse.

Dennis

[Poppy7402]

The ER just treated me as if it was anxiety because of everything that's going on and didn't recommend any follow up.   When they told me to take Ibuprofen for the nerve pain in my neck, I decided they weren't going to be any help at all.

Today I've got the dizziness back and I woke up with pins and needles up to the elbow in my left arm, and a few other bits and pieces so it all seems to be tied in to the big picture.

Thanks for the suggestion Sarah, unfortunately heat makes me feel like I've run a marathon.  

As this is the second thing that's happened this weekend, we've decided to go back to my GP tomorrow to see whether he can write to the Neurologist about expediting the appointment.


Poppy

[SarahL2491]

I've found that a hot shower (despite the symptoms it brings on) helps me breathe deeper.  Give it a try if heat doesn't bother you.

[doublevision1]

I'm not sure an ophthalmologist would be able, or at least, willing to treat symptoms outside of his specialty.  I would think he'd be more inclined to refer you.  As I said, the only thing I can think of for Rx is IV Solu-Medrol, if it is the hug.  But you're undx'ed, so can you be sure it is that?  Sorry, am not completely familiar with your history.

What did the ER recommend for follow up...... or did they just treat as anxiety and leave it at that?  If so, that is concerning ....

[Poppy7402]

After my post on here, I called the local health info line to see what they could suggest.  They promptly called the ambulance and had me shipped off to the ER!  Once they ascertained it wasn't cardiac related, (which I already knew), they told me they thought it was anxiety!!  Yes, I am a bit anxious at the moment, who wouldn't be after being told the day before that they have three holes in their retina's.  They gave me a shot of Diazepam, which hurt like hell going in, but it did relax things.  They then sent me home, with nothing so here I am still, utterly miserable and feeling like a gorilla is giving me a not so friendly cuddle.

I have to go back to the eye doctor for laser surgery tomorrow so does anyone have any suggestions about what drug I could ask him to prescribe to help this awful problem?

Thanks in advance

Poppy

[doublevision1]

Sorry you're having this miserable symptom.  The only thing that's ever relieved mine is IV steroids.  Some here have mentioned using a heating pad.  It seems counterintuitive to me since heat makes symptoms worse for many of us, but maybe this might help you.  Hopefully others will have more suggestions for you.