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
JeffSar...I have to use the 'pillow' trick also...not only for this chest pain...but I have so much stiffness in my neck/shoulders, that if I don't rest my "opposite" arm (side I'm not sleeping on) on a pillow, then I wake up with a stiff painful neck!...just so happens to help with the chest pain also. I also have to put a long pillow in between my legs...as they usually hurt too much to get comfortable...hubbie thinks I've chosen pillows over him!...LOL! Someone else also mentioned the "Chronic Myofacial Pain Trigger Points," and thought it COULD be "referred pain." You can bet that as soon as I get insurance...I'll be getting it checked out...IF it's not already gone by then! LOL! Thanks again everyone! I just LOVE this place! I get TONS MORE ANSWERS here, than from ALL the doctors I've seen put together! ;)
~tj
~tj
It's worse when I wear my bra too. But gotta hold up "my girls" when I'm working! :) Once home, off it goes!
Thanks, again!
And as far as the "Bra-thing" goes...well what can I say! I almost wish everyone still wore "ragged robes" instead of the wardrobes we do!...would be soooo much more comfortable...LOL...and wouldn't have to worry about being "in fashion" anymore...LOL! Whoever invented "the Bra" should be SHOT!!!! (IF he/she were still alive). I'm to the point that I do NOT care what others think of my actions/words when it comes to my health!! LET THEM LIVE IN THIS BODY WITH THIS HORRID DISEASE FOR JUST ONE WEEK!!!! They'll be BEGGING to be let out!!! So, us 'REBELS" can just "stick together" & discuss our "alternate lifestyles" ALL WE WANT!!! LOL! ;) {{{BEAR HUGS}}} ;)
~tj
Ahahaaa yes I am certain it must have been a man who hated women who invented the 'Bra' what a device my girls are heading south on a freight train lol! YAY for bringing back the robes :-)
"Rebels Without Modesty" we are & stick together we will !! (((Gentle Hugs))) Simone xox
I dunno, but is very uncomfortable and makes me sweat and very scared.
Boomer...You said that your MS Hug starts in the Jaw? I sometimes get SEVERE muscle spasms in BOTH jaws...where they are "clinched tightly together"...as if someone is putting "torque" on them...making them tighter & tighter. It's actually quite scary...as I can NOT open my mouth for nothing, when this happens. The 1st time it happened was during my INITIAL ATTACK of Sx's. I've also been having them (jaw contractions) lately, as well as this chest pain/constriction. So, now you've got me wondering if the "jaw issue" is related somehow, or not?
Also, someone else mentioned having the "rubber band" sensation around the head...I've felt that too...numerous times. Just thought it had something to do with my Migraine disorder...never even gave MS HUG a 2nd thought to ANY of these Sx's...as I thought it could ONLY happen around the waist/lower chest region. AAAAHHHHHHGGG CHARLIE BROWN!!! It's ALL so CRAZY!!
I've also been having excruciatingly horrible shots of pain in my left-side face (have been for a number of years!...just getting more worse & frequent). I asked my last neuro if it could be TN and he said no..probably just TMJ. What an idiot! TMJ does NOT cause shots of pain in the eye! Besides, the pain hits here & there...BOTH sides! I just wish GOD would "drop a BOOK OF ANSWERS from the sky"...as I can't seem to get ANY from all these stupid Dr.'s!! LOL! We seem to know MORE about our OWN bodies, than THEY do!! ;)
~tj