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:
*************************************************************************
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
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
I also realize that it's unusual to bring up posts this old...however, I've been experiencing this "MS Hug" thing again...for almost a month. It started when I was still in OK, & my oldest son was staying with us. It began with SEVERE CENTER & LEFT-SIDE (was always right-side before) CHEST PAINS & "CHEST-CRUSHING" sensations...was up all night with it & felt like I couldn't breathe! It seemed to be more severe when I would breathe, cough, move, or laugh...as always. I also just felt "odd" and was beginning to get extremely dizzy & nauseous, along with hot/cold sensations! I was totally freaking out, thinking I was having a HEART ATTACK!! My son kept trying to get me to go the ER bc I seriously thought I was having heart problems...but refused bc I still have no health insurance. BTW...just wanted to remind everyone that I have NOT been Dx with MS...had a negative brain MRI...over 2 yrs ago.
Anyways...this same chest pain has wained off-&-on for about a month now...but became extremely severe...again...the other night. Once again...I was totally freaking out...even more convinced than before...that I surely MUST be having some kind of serious heart problems, fearing a heart attack...& kept debating on whether or not I should wake up my brother & his wife, to take me to the ER. Well, by early morning, as they were getting up & ready (I'd been up ALL night...totally exhausted), I asked my brother to take me to the ER. I was so nauseous & dizzy on the way to the hospital...that I hardly remember the trip! Btw...I don't remember the dizziness & nausea being quite as severe with all my previous events of this type of chest pain.
They took me in right away & ran an EKG, multiple chest x-rays, & bloodwork, but could find NOTHING wrong. They had injected me with Ativan via IV, & released me with a Rx for more Ativan...& said it was just STRESS! Can STRESS alone really be this intense??
HAS ANYONE ELSE, WHO'S EXPERIENCED THE MS HUG...ALSO GET THE DIZZINESS & NAUSEA TO GO WITH IT???
Although I AM under a LOT of stress lately...I've been taking the Ativan...and this "heart attack" sensation STILL has NOT left me! I'm just totally at a loss bc they can NEVER seem to find a cause!
SO.....I've been told about an awesome Neuro here in Knoxville, by a number of ppl...& I've decided that, come "hell or high water"...I'm going to get in to see her! I CAN NOT TAKE THIS ANYMORE!!!!!!
Sorry...just had to RANT to someone who can relate...as everyone in my family is beginning to think that I am a Hypochondriac...or something!? :(
~tj
Something just occurred to me it could be the ms hug that people talk about. I'm supposed to be recording all my symptoms and I don't know how to record that. A neurosurgeon has ruled out any issues in my thoracic spine- with exception of short pedicels , a congenital birth defect, I do have issues in c5/6 and c6/7 the discs are dying so I'll be facing a mylegram soon for that, and my l5/s fusion from 203 finally quit on me last year , it made it 13 years I can't complain, but I only have about three good discs between my cervical and lumbar regions.
Any thoughts?