MS Hug

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DadaM
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MS Hug

Post by DadaM »

Hi everyone. I'm new here. I haven't been diagnosed but my primary doctor is referring me to a neurologist because according to him by symptoms are clearly nerve issue and there could be underlying MS.

My symptoms started about 3 months ago when I suddenly woke up with neck pains. It wasnt the kind of pain that you would feel with a stiff neck. It felt like deep pain that I thought it was just a pinched nerve. I went to see my primary doctor who ordered an x-ray. The result showed that my neck was abnormally very straight (normal would have some curvature). He said its probably strained muscles and referred my to a PT. For almost 2 months I could feel like the muscle on my neck cramping and getting really hard. It would be aggravated by driving or depending on my posture.

After about 2 months, the pain subsided a bit. But I started feeling tingly on my fingertips of both hands. I went back to my primary and he referred me to neck and spine specialist who ordered an MRI. Before I was able to do the MRi, I started feeling some numbness and tingling on my abdomen/torso. Then after about 2 weeks, I could feel the tingling on my thighs, legs and toes.

I also started feeling something tight around my torso like below the bra line but above the belly button. It feels like something is strapped around my body. At first I even thought my bra was too tight or something. Aside from the neck pain, the rest of my symptoms are not painful. More annoying coz I would be dropping some things because of the numbness on my fingertips.

Is that the MS hug? What do you think of my symptoms? Thank you.
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jimmylegs
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Re: MS Hug

Post by jimmylegs »

hi and welcome :)

i've definitely experienced chronic neck issues that were addressed only by intense physiotherapy (to loosen up locked-up spinal vertebrae), with at-home follow-up strengthening exercises for my neck muscles, and a permanent change to the seat settings and my posture when i'm driving. i highly doubt any of that ever had anything to do with ms.

i also have experienced something like the midriff tension you describe, which was probably the hug. i had many other issues at the time, including an in ability to draw a complete full deep breath ending in a feeling of a stretch for the lungs.
question: i wonder if you have a similar thing going on?
fwiw i took some steps back then, and got rid of the hug for once and for all.

it's frustrating waiting for all the test dates to arrive and for the results to come in, but there's a process and they need to work you through it to diagnose properly.

in the meantime, please take the best possible care of yourself :) there is a strong environmental component to most chronic diseases. if status quo isn't working out, are there common sense steps to be taken? worth thinking about!
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Scott1
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Re: MS Hug

Post by Scott1 »

Hi,

Having experienced a really big hug, I'd say it's not a hug yet but its the right area. What you're feeling is a fairly compelling reason to get the MRI done. Not everything that causes these problems is MS but you need to check.
If it develops into a full blown hug then you will know it. Even prior to any MRI, a really good massage can help to relieve some tightness. If the masseur is any good you should be able say "release my erector spinae and my thoracolumbar junction is tight" and they will know what to do.
Often heat packs applied to area can provide some relief. Make sure they put a towel between you and the pack so you don't burn your skin. A massage is often more effective after a few minutes of heat.
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DadaM
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Re: MS Hug

Post by DadaM »

Hi Jimmylegs: Thanks for replying. No I dont have difficulty with deep breathing and no issues with the lungs. All my blood works are normal. Im trying to make changes to my diet like trying to eat red meat just 2x a week.

Scott1: I was delaying on doing the mri coz Im a little afraid of the procedure. And also i guess I was hoping that they would see something like vitamin B12 deficiency instead. I guess I'll have to sched that soon.

How did your hug feel like? What Im feeling isnt painful. It just feels like wearing a really bra even when Im not wearing any :confused:

I will try the hot compress and will look for a good spa. Thank you!
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Scott1
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Re: MS Hug

Post by Scott1 »

Hi,

Mine became very troubling but it was a pretty major attack. The points of the ribcage were being pulled in and down as the intercostal muscles between each rib began squeezing my whole rib cage. Your issue sounds more like a sensory nerve problem. You will definitely know the difference if it develops.
Ideally the people who can do the massage can apply the heat packs. Hot rocks wrapped in a towel have a similar effect.

Regards,
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NHE
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Re: MS Hug

Post by NHE »

jimmylegs wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2019 4:00 pmoh and just to comment on mri anxiety, don't worry :)
in my xp, some have music you can listen to while being scanned. some have a mirror set up so that you can see out into the room.
they have neither of these things at the place i've been to most often recently. so then, you can make a song in your head out of the scan rhythms. if you look it up, people have even posted music made out of mri noise on youtube.
if they don't have a mirror, you can ask the tech to put a cloth over your eyes.
Really? That would be annoying. I just close my eyes and relax and listen to the beat, thump thump thump...
Zyklon
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Re: MS Hug

Post by Zyklon »

If I listen to metal music in MRI, will it get pulled by the machine? ;)
Pain! You made me a, you made me a believer, believer
Pain! You break me down, you build me up, believer, believer
Pain! Oh let the bullets fly, oh let them rain
My life, my love, my drive, it came from... Pain!
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