Thank you all for this, I can not begin to describe how wonderful it is to have found a croup like you all! So suportive (spelling?) and thoughtful. Yes, now I am thinking it was likely a MS hug (not a very warm though :( ) and these strange hiccups that come and go is also likely to be ms realated. No hiccups yet this morning (11,24 am here) maby I am over this for now (fingers crossed). Thank you for beeing there.
My best to you all,
Dagun
I forgot about Alex having the hiccups too - I'm glad they both gave you their story of living with hiccups.
I have been having daily hiccups for about 3 months now.
The following is from WEBMD.COM
Hiccups occur when a spasm contracts the diaphragm, a large sheet of muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. This spasm causes an intake of breath that is suddenly stopped by the closure of the vocal cords (glottis). This closure causes the characteristic "hiccup" sound.
I have also read on the Internet that hiccups can be caused by a lesion in the brain stem of PwMS.But they can also be caused by a lot of other things.
I did mention my hiccups to my MS neuro last week and he didn't bat an eye about them so I think he has seen this with other PwMS. Basically his only comment was that I don't have to worry about them unless they become constant.
Now as for your chest pain. While hiccups can cause pain in the throat, chest, or abdomen it is very brief in duration. As such what you described doesn't sound like a result of the hiccups, but I could be wrong. Also the MS hug doesn't need to be "all around". I get spasms from MS hug all of the time, but a lot of the time it doesn't go all around but is centered in the right side of my rib cage. The MS hug is also a form of spasms.
Dennis
I have myoclonic spasms of the diaphragm which can start with hiccups. Hiccups as I understand it and I could be wrong come from spasms of the diaphragm. The phrenic nerve is irritated. The spasm can be really painful.
Alex
hi - I hope Sailorsong (Dennis) sees your question. He has had a bout of hiccups for several months and is also thinking it might be ms related.
Here's hoping you get over them soon.
lulu