The hug is back...

[jensequitur]

Before I was diagnosed, I kept having what my doctor told me were esophageal spasms - a tight painful pressure at my sternum, that sometimes radiated around my torso to my back.  They've returned every once in a while to remind me of their presence.  I usually just drink a glass of warm water, because the pain was coming from my esophagus.

Since then I've decided that this must be the MS hug I've heard so much about.

Now the pain has come back, and water ain't helping.  This morning I must have drunk a gallon of warm water, and it didn't help at all.  It seems like the pain has moved from the esophagus to the back and around the torso.

I took a (flexaril) muscle relaxer this morning, which I think helped - I'm still having little pains around my spine area, but it's not as bad.

Anybody else have any tips on helping with the MS hug pain?

[doublevision1]

My neuro explained my MS hug to me as paresthesia, not muscle spasm.  For me it is a steady feeling of pressure and constriction across my ribs that seemed to worsen if I talked a lot or ate too much, almost like being out of breath and yet I wasn't.  So hard to describe to those who haven't had the misfortune of experiencing it firsthand.

I have the same sense of persistent constriction in my left arm and hand, kind of like MS hug of the arm, 24/7.  At least the actual hug was relieved by steroids.  Lyrica & Elavil make the arm paresthesia moderately tolerable.  I tried to describe it to a co-worker today, and it hit me: it's like how it feels when the doc straps on the blood pressure monitor and pumps and pumps till it's so tight it's uncomfortable; that's what my arm has felt like EVERY DAY, ALL DAY since my third relapse in March 2008; and it's what my ribcage feels like when I get the hug.  

I never thought of wrapping my midsection like Sherry suggested, perhaps that might help.  I actually have done (and do) that with my arm; wrap it in an ace bandage, and/or put a snug cotton glove on my hand; it doesn't seem logical that applying more pressure would alleviate a sensation of pressure, but I think it's like Sherry has said, it distracts the senses.  I think this is why submerging my arm in the bath gives some temporary relief; my nerves are focused on the sensation of water.  Hmmm, maybe that would help the Hug too, not sure but if I get it again I will try that myself.

Jen, I hope it is getting more tolerable for you with each new day.  For me it ranks right up there with my most dreaded of symptoms: I think double vision was the worst, hug was next, even worse than fatigue, and we all know how bad that one is.

[NiCeeGlover]

I have these dreaded hugs around my head, my midriff
(chest to pelvic around my body)

I also have them around my left thigh. It's 3 AM, I'm still awake

because of them! They squeeze me for hours at a time. Everyday! My eyes

usually get hit at the same time.... Burning heat, knife twisting pain in left

leg, at times left arm and face too.

"It feels like the hugs want my eyes to POP out 3PM- until "  
LOL

My Doc called it paresthesia and put me on Lyrica. 75mg.

I've been on it since 12-15. It seems to take the edge off, until about 8pm,

then it's on . I read up on it and one side affect is not sleeping.

I take one in the morn and was taking one at night until I read that.

I need to figure out a better time to take the 2nd dose.

I think I may need a stronger dose too.

[Deb61]

Is that what it is?  I have gotten what I thought was an esophageal spasm that lasted a good hour.  It is quite painful!  I feel like I can't breath and the pain is so bad that it causes me panic attacks.  If the Flexaril helps, I need to get a prescription.  

[jensequitur]

Thanks, guys!  Feeling much better today, and I haven't had to take a Flexaril.  Good thing, because they're at home and I'm at work.

[ShadowsSister]

These things should be called "HUGS" hugs are suppose to be loving and these are just plain HATEFUL.

These spasms have actually broken six ribs n this past year. When they hit the rib area I have to bind the ribs and this helps because the rib cage is stabilized. At Least this is what my PCP told me. They now hit every where from my ribs down to my legs.

For the ones around my hips the heating pad helps a bit, but be careful using the heating pad, I burnt myself because I didn't feel the heat. "Live & learn "

So far I haven't found a RX that has been that helpful, but my Doctor are researching for some thing we haven't tried yet. Thank Goodness they haven't given up on me.

I am so sorry you are having so much pain. I am keeping you in my prayers...

Also sending you every gentle loving hugs... {{{{{{~!~}}}}}}  DJ

[risnerrose]

FYI

I have gotten some relief by wrapping an ace bandage tight around the area; in fact, I've purchased one of those "girdle-like" things that goes around the waist/torso.  I read that the constriction of the bandage "distracts" the nerves.  Before my diagnosis, I noticed my feet did not hurt as much when I wore a certain type of socks (snug and ribbed at the arch).  

I know this isn't a big fix . . . but it is one more way I cope.  AND the perk is . . . the girdle smooths at the same time :)

Sherry

[PastorDan]

This clicks with me on two points.  I've been having a diffferent kind of tightness in the mid-to-lower rib cage area for a day or two, off and on.  Also, as I was trying to go to sleep last night, I was wishing I had a Flexaril to get rid of the tension in the muscles of my right side, from the ankle to the wrist.  I really never did like how Flexaril would seem to leave me hung over for a day or so afterward, but it did relax me pretty well.  I felt last night as if I was back in 7th grade wrestling, trying (unsuccessfully, then and now!) to keep one shoulder off the mat.

[Zacksmomi]

I am glad the flexaril worked.  I was going to say that I was taking flexaril and soma off and on for ages and still having spasms. When I switched to Baclofen the relief was tremendous.  
Don't quite know the difference between the meds.  
Hope you get better soon

D

[jensequitur]

Yup, the About.com website says that the MS hug is a form of paresthesia, meaning any abnormal sensation.  But I'm pretty sure this is a spasm of the intercostal muscles.  

Paresthesia to me is those annoying pinpricks in my toes and nip... er... other areas.

Fortunately it seems as if the Flexaril actually helped.   Go figure.  I asked for some Baclofen from my neuro when I was having bad spasms of the leg, but he prescribed Flexaril instead, as Baclofen can be quite expensive.  I'm just so relieved that it actually worked!  I guess I'll have to stop telling people to drink a glass of water.

@tarter - Hey, I get this pain whether I'm sitting or standing.  Mine started up while I was sitting, and was especially bad while I was showering.  I finally sat down on the toilet seat and the pain went away, but came right back.

[Wobbly]

Hi there, I've had these type of pains and a few years back the "Dr" put me on Pariet... I take one a day and only get the pains once in awhile.  They were so bad I would leave work to get my heart checked out.

they didn't test me for anything...guess my weight at the time was quite high and the "Dr" said do you have Gerds... I said I guess so and he gave me these pills.  I'm still taking them after 5 years.. not sure if I'm taking them for nothin??

take care I know how you feel...it's horrible and VERY painful

wobbly

[essdipity]

Jen, on the forum we've had loads of discussions on this, but I don't think there's agreement as to what causes the hug in the first place.

Many are convinced it's a paresthesia, and if that's the case, a neuropathic med such as Lyrica would seem indicated. Others believe it's spasm-based, so an anti-spasmodic makes sense.

So I think it's a matter of whatever works, and that might even provide a backwards indication as to cause.

I suggest you experiment with the remedies you already have, and if you're not helped significantly, it's time to consult your neuro.

ess

[tarter]

Hi jen

Today I have this MS hug only I never realised what is was. I was test for esophageal spasm Gerd ect it really hurts doesant it.

Jen do you find the hug more painful when sitting I cannot get comfortable.
I have to lie flat helps for a while.

I thought once iwas having a heart attack did stress test ECG  all clear and soon s back home band like pain I now know has hug.

Glad you posted this question tarter