Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group
This community is a place where members can discuss current events and weigh in on what's going on in the world.
OK...so I was on here not too long ago, asking about Pleurisy, bc, since I've been Dx with it more than once...I was just SURE that is what I have this time...stabbing PAIN/pressure...feels the same! However, since my rheumy NEVER DID get back with me on my x-ray results...I picked up a copy myself...and it said that EVERYTHING was clear...including Pleural cavities!
Well, then I "assumed" COSTOCHONDRITIS...since I DO have Fibromyalgia...made sense...and several others thought so too in the Fibro forum! However, after doing weeks of research on the internet, I realized that Costochondritis affects the "sternum"/center of the chest...& as far as I can tell...the PAIN doesn't stray far from center. Then, I finally came across something that "jolted" my brain! MS HUG!!
There was a "link" re: MS HUG on a "Chest Pain" site...and when reading the first line...was intrigued. This is "some" of the info. I read:
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http://ms.about.com/od/signssymptoms/a/ms_hug_pain.htm
"WHAT CAUSES THE "MS HUG?"
It is caused by a lesion on the spinal cord and is technically classified as a neuropathic pain called a paresthesia, which refers to any abormal sensation. The sensation itself is the result of tiny muscles between each rib (intercostal muscles) going into spasm. These muscles have the job of holding our ribs together, as well as keeping them flexible and aiding in movement, like forced expiration.
WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE?
Like many MS symptoms, the MS hug feels different for different people it also feels different in the same people on different days or at different times of day. It can be:
As low as the waist or as high as the chest; rarely it can be felt as high as the shoulders and neck
Focused in one small area (usually on one side or in the back) or go all the way around the torso
Worse when fatigued or stressed
Present in waves lasting seconds, minutes or hours or can be steady for longer periods of time
Described as sharp pain, dull pain, burning pain, tickling, tingling, a crushing or constricting sensation or intense pressure
HOW SEVERE CAN IT GET?
Some people experience difficulty breathing or painful breathing, so severe that it is often perceived as a heart attack or panic attack."
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I also read that if the PAIN is coming from the NERVES, it's due to inflammation of peripheral nerves or compression and IRRITATION OF THE NERVE "ROOTS" AS THEY EMERGE FROM YOUR SPINAL CORD.
Well, I've had this 'chest pain' since the 1st of June, it has 'moved around' some (towards sidewall & my back...but in right chest cavity only) and some days are better than others...however, it has yet to go away completely. The past 3 days...I literally CAN HARDLY BREATHE FOR THE PAIN!!!! I want to go to the ER...but will be mad at myself if they turn me away WITHOUT answers again!
SO...HOW MANY WITH THE MS HUG HAVE HAD SEVERE CHEST PAIN?? Mine is on the right side...about the center (just under my right breast)...hurts to breathe, cough, sneeze, laugh, move certain ways...even lay down in certain positions...HAVE NOT SLEPT WELL FOR SEVERAL MONTHS!! I ALSO feel the "tightening/pressure," but only around the chest area, however, I've had asthma for years...and just thought that it was my asthma acting up badly! Could this be why I've been soooo exhausted lately...and had NO appetitie? (have lost about 20 lbs)?
Just thought it was so ODD that I was just asking about PPMS the other day, then here I sit...wondering if I've had the MS Hug all this time...and didn't even know it...not to mention that the "HUG" supposedly originates in the spinal column (hope I comprehended that right)...WHERE PPMS DOES IT'S THING!! I know it sounds like I'm trying to "Diagnose Myself"...but believe me...I'm no doctor! It's just that I'm getting sooo tired of getting NO answers...meanwhile...my health continues to slide off a cliff!!! Sorry 4 ranting...just gets sooo frustrating!! Thanks to all who read this!..& esp. to those who answered! ;)
~tj
Well, then I "assumed" COSTOCHONDRITIS...since I DO have Fibromyalgia...made sense...and several others thought so too in the Fibro forum! However, after doing weeks of research on the internet, I realized that Costochondritis affects the "sternum"/center of the chest...& as far as I can tell...the PAIN doesn't stray far from center. Then, I finally came across something that "jolted" my brain! MS HUG!!
There was a "link" re: MS HUG on a "Chest Pain" site...and when reading the first line...was intrigued. This is "some" of the info. I read:
*************************************************************************
http://ms.about.com/od/signssymptoms/a/ms_hug_pain.htm
"WHAT CAUSES THE "MS HUG?"
It is caused by a lesion on the spinal cord and is technically classified as a neuropathic pain called a paresthesia, which refers to any abormal sensation. The sensation itself is the result of tiny muscles between each rib (intercostal muscles) going into spasm. These muscles have the job of holding our ribs together, as well as keeping them flexible and aiding in movement, like forced expiration.
WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE?
Like many MS symptoms, the MS hug feels different for different people it also feels different in the same people on different days or at different times of day. It can be:
As low as the waist or as high as the chest; rarely it can be felt as high as the shoulders and neck
Focused in one small area (usually on one side or in the back) or go all the way around the torso
Worse when fatigued or stressed
Present in waves lasting seconds, minutes or hours or can be steady for longer periods of time
Described as sharp pain, dull pain, burning pain, tickling, tingling, a crushing or constricting sensation or intense pressure
HOW SEVERE CAN IT GET?
Some people experience difficulty breathing or painful breathing, so severe that it is often perceived as a heart attack or panic attack."
*********************************************************************
I also read that if the PAIN is coming from the NERVES, it's due to inflammation of peripheral nerves or compression and IRRITATION OF THE NERVE "ROOTS" AS THEY EMERGE FROM YOUR SPINAL CORD.
Well, I've had this 'chest pain' since the 1st of June, it has 'moved around' some (towards sidewall & my back...but in right chest cavity only) and some days are better than others...however, it has yet to go away completely. The past 3 days...I literally CAN HARDLY BREATHE FOR THE PAIN!!!! I want to go to the ER...but will be mad at myself if they turn me away WITHOUT answers again!
SO...HOW MANY WITH THE MS HUG HAVE HAD SEVERE CHEST PAIN?? Mine is on the right side...about the center (just under my right breast)...hurts to breathe, cough, sneeze, laugh, move certain ways...even lay down in certain positions...HAVE NOT SLEPT WELL FOR SEVERAL MONTHS!! I ALSO feel the "tightening/pressure," but only around the chest area, however, I've had asthma for years...and just thought that it was my asthma acting up badly! Could this be why I've been soooo exhausted lately...and had NO appetitie? (have lost about 20 lbs)?
Just thought it was so ODD that I was just asking about PPMS the other day, then here I sit...wondering if I've had the MS Hug all this time...and didn't even know it...not to mention that the "HUG" supposedly originates in the spinal column (hope I comprehended that right)...WHERE PPMS DOES IT'S THING!! I know it sounds like I'm trying to "Diagnose Myself"...but believe me...I'm no doctor! It's just that I'm getting sooo tired of getting NO answers...meanwhile...my health continues to slide off a cliff!!! Sorry 4 ranting...just gets sooo frustrating!! Thanks to all who read this!..& esp. to those who answered! ;)
~tj
So since that trip to the ER a few weeks ago, I have had the pain come and go every so often. Not everyday, and not as severe. So each time I feel it, I take some Maalox like the ER doc and my regular doc said to. It really doesn't seem to help it. It just subsides on it's own. One time I took some Aleve and that helped. It sounds the same as what you are describing- sharp pain on one said of my chest, hurts to lay down, hurts to breathe, cough or sneeze.
Interesting....
~tj
sorry for the horrible sarcasm, but you get my point. :~) Feel better soon.
Just a thought and I am in no way smart enough to diagnose what is going on with you. Have you asked your MS Neuro about this particular pain, etc. that you have been having? That would be my first suggestion as while I know all this feels different for each of us, I still would run it by the Dr.
Please let us know what you find out...if you don't mind. It sounds like it could be the MS Hug and then again, its sounds like it could be something else. So! How's that for an explanation. Sounds like a few I have gotten over the years before I was finally sent to the MS Center!!
IT's so much better to know what is going on wehn things like this affect us, at least we then know what it's all about. Hope you get your answers asap.
Hugs,Owlxxx
I experience a "tightness" in my chest...but not necessarily a "severely constricted" sensation. Although, I HAVE had a number of "episodes" where my chest felt as if it were "being sucked in/caving in"...but just thought it was due to asthma symptoms, since I have asthma. Someone mentioned that they never felt like eating...well, I've not had a decent appetite in I don't know when...have lost about 20 lbs in 2 months (actually a positive benefit..;)....). Also, like CJFrank said...I can NOT take in a "full" breath...as it is just too painful, and also feels like someone has a tight, wide belt around the bottom of my ribcage and it won't expand any farther. Is this the "constriction" that everyone is talking about?? Or does this "constriction" sensation just happen irregardless of breathing??...more like a muscle spasm??
I've also been having horrible pains in my shoulders/neck the last 2 days...and I've been having severe muscle spasms in my mid- & lower-back area for about 3-4 months now...very painful & so strong that I find it difficult to "straighten back up!" I have no idea if these symptoms are related to my "chest pain" or not??
Today, I've been having horrible 'bee-sting" pains in my lower legs, feet, & hands/fingers...(much different from the pins-&-needles) & "stabbing" pains in my right leg & left arm. So...IDK what's going on with me...but it's ALL driving me nuts!
I want so bad to go to a new NEURO and "start all over"...but waiting to get new insurance going 1st. I'm going to walk in and give the Dr. a list of my symptoms, my diary of symptoms and ask "Can you tell me what's causing all these symptoms?" I'm not going to give him ANY information about my previous health, tests, records, etc. Just want a professional opinion...WITHOUT BIAS!!
~tj
Then about 7 years after that it hurt my stomache to take a deeop breath. I thought I was overeating. I had a tummy tuck a few year before after I lost over a hundred pounds. I wanted to erase my old fatness, so I had a tummy tuck. When suddenly it hurt to breath, I thought it must be from the tummy tuck I had a few years ago. I still wasn't diagnosed with MS. It didn't hurt to breathe after eating. For a few weeks it hurt when a took a deep breath, nothing in particular was going on when I took the deep breath that caused such a sharp pain. Both times it was sudden and then stopped suddenly?
Back then I diagnosed over eating and that tummy tuck...It could have been, but now I think it was the MS hug. If it ever happens again, now that I know I have MS, I will absolutely think MS hug.
:( It will probably be a real heart attack that time.
Now I know I have MS and I suspect the hug. The way it suddenly started and then left with me doing nothing different? But both episode could have been from what I suspected at the time, using crutches and over easting.
For what it's worth, my husband's gallbladder bothers him and the pain from that is always in his right side. Sometimes it's pretty bad. My son had severe gallbladder problems and had to have his removed at age 23. Sometimes he could hardly sit up the pain was so severe.
Take care. I hope a new doctor helps you find your answers.
Neener
I have bad chest and neck pain mostly on my upper right side. Mine has been diagnosed as myofascial pain. I am currently seeing a great MS physical therapist who is treating me for this. It turns out that my lack of balance from my MS has caused my upper body to compensate for years and is a complete and inflamed and stiff mess. The treatments are loosening and working wonders and I never would have guessed it was just muscle and joint stuff.
I wish you much success in getting to the real cause of your pain.
Take care.