that's where mine is. it's still sore there too. all i'm taking is Baclofen.

someone told me they were on Galap...something. i can't remember.

Gabapentin. that's the name. it's for MS pain, as far as i know.

Never had the HUG, but the couple i know locally treated it w/ steroids and it helped. I know how everyone hates the steroids, but it worked for them and they had it in the chest. So sorry.--luckily, the HUG usually goes away. the steroids just made it sooner. hope your doc has answers.

RELAXATION !!!!!

easier said than done, but relaxation helps

Thanks for the replies. As for Gabapentin, it is Neurotin and I cannot tolerate it. :(

The pain is worse today.Gonna try and relax. Tomorrow I will be at the hospital all day as my 5 years old is having surgery. Spent today at the doctors for a pre-surgery visit. So, relaxation is not coming easy.

Hopefully soon it will ease up.

I take two Aleve, one Tylenol w/codeine, OR two Gabapentin. All of them take about 20 minutes to work.

Since mine usually come at night, I am on my tummy and place two folded pillows under my breasts and put my head down on the mattress. At least it feels like I'm doing something and i lie that way until the pills kick in. Seems to help a little.

I just had the "HUG" it lasted about 2 hours and now I am wiped out. I just did heavy breathing to try to relax. laying down made it worse! It hurt so bad this time, I couldn't stop crying from the pain.

I HATE MS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Here we go again...MS Hug !!! that is 2 times in a month !

I just cant stand the pain

My doc has just put me a new pain med called skalexton (sp?) It's not like flexeril which works in the brain but works on the spine to help stop pain signals. I'm not sure of all the ins and outs of how it works, but I'm on my second dose and its made a huge difference. I didnt realize how much pain I am actually in because I've gotten used to being in pain. This flare has been the worst so far. All the muscles in my trunk have spawned up and I can't lift my legs from my hips. Standing hurts, walking hurts, laying hurts. I even have thought about cutting off my hair because it hurt to lift my arms and brush it.
I'm also on cymbals and keppra. It might be something to look into...

I've had the MS hug but it was never painful just uncomfortable like I was wearing a bra that was too tight. I would try to go braless as much as possible. It just eventually goes away. Sorry that's probably not much help. Hope you feel better soon.

I just wanted to ask if what I've experienced could be the ms hug. I ve this happen 4 or 5 times in the past year or so and literally thought I had a heart attack at one point. I get this terrible cramp right at the bottom of my breastbone that spreads up my chest and into my jaw. It is horrible. It does take my breath away up if I can get a cold drink of water into me, it helps it settle down. Does anyone else experience this kind of spasm?

For years I was hug less. Well, now I am rarely without the duscomfort of the hug. I also have pain often. Finally got the Baclofan Pump. Helped a lot at first. As things change I have to adjust the pump. I go Wednesday to do that. I take tizanadine. Sometimes oral Baclofan. I do Pilates on the reformer, sit with a back massage chair, ad try to walk with my walker as much as possible. Weight bearing helps spasticity. Sure is a challenge, MS, however I refuse to give up and give in to negative thoughts. This disease can't steal my joy.

I think the "hug" is one of the wierdest sx to deal with. I have tried ice and for awhile it helped. I have also tried heat with some success. I am on Gabapentin which I would say is minimally helping at the low dose I am on (100-200mg/day). I have also tried different balms with menthol with some success. I stretch daily and when I feel the hug I bend forward and really stretch while taking a good deep breath. I am now trying cannnabis balm which has olive oil, lavendar, coconut oil, calendula and beeswax in it. It doesn't get you high but is to target nerve pain. I have only just started it and so far it is helpful. I would ask your doc about Gabapentin for sure. I would also recommend some form of stretching and exercise simply for the general well being and distraction. Sometimes I need my husband to massage my back even though at times it feels awful. In fact massage therapy is something I would recommend for all MS pts. I have never had a doc or my msnp be able to describe why you get the hug but I have had similar feelings over my scalp and the right side of my face. I suspect it is just nerve pain and YES it is very irritating. Lots of us get it. Are you on any MS drugs? That's another suggestion.

I suffer with this all the time and its maddening! Cant wear a bra for long, and even snug shirts bug me. I found the AHHH bra or the Genie bra were the most helpful esp when I ordered them too large.

Yoga has been my salve. The gentle stretches and building up of my core have really helped. I have a yoga for beginners DVD at the house here and I try 5 times a week to do a half hour of simple plain stretches. I didnt want advanced yoga because I am off balance too easy. Once I get really stable I will think about advancing. I went on vacation and didnt take my tape. I really noticed a change when I stopped.

I take ativan when it gets bad, but that also requires me to lay down. Drugs affect me so weird. sometimes its just nice to tell the house "im done, I need to lay down" and then let everyone take care of themselves. I do notice when under stress its much worse. I dont rush anymore, and I dont let idiot neighbors upset me.

I hope you feel better.

I am so sorry your MS hug is giving you such pain. I had one episode when I was first diagnosed 19 years ago over my rib cage. It went away on its own after a few months. Mine wasn't as severe as yours but I rememer feeling like someone had a cord or long towel wrapped around me and they were pulling it really tight. I have a friend with severe MS pain - she has had the "hug" around her throat if you can imagine. I'll ask her what pain meds, etc. she is taking.