steel band around my waist with a key tightener

jtjdmj · Post by **jtjdmj** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 8:36 pm

does anyone else have this problem, it's like I have a steel band around my middle that someone is tightening with a key as time passes, know it's when I'm sitting in wheelchair. Anyone else ever deal with something like this? Any thoughts/ideas how to deal with this would be appreciated.

Bender · Post by **Bender** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 8:39 pm

I get cramps in my sides sometimes, but nothing like you're describing although I seem to remember a thread about the "Ms Hug" which seems like what you're describing.

lovebug · Post by **lovebug** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 7:52 am

I have the same problem! If you find something that offers relief from the MS Hug let us all know please..............

dlb · Post by **dlb** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:14 am

I had this once during a relapse, but it went away when the relapse ended - thankfully. As lovebug said, it is referred to as the 'MS hug' and I think it is a pretty typical symptom...?? Hope you get relief from it....

robbie · Post by **robbie** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 10:04 am

Like someone standing on your chest...

sou · Post by **sou** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 12:36 pm

This is torso spasticity or "MS hug", like the other posters said. It was pretty bad for a couple of years, but it has been relieved lately by following some stretching and torso/hip strengthening exercise with my physical therapist.

It is an awful symptom, for which I thought absolutely nothing could be done. Thankfully, I was wrong.

Post by **jimmylegs** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 2:56 pm

for me supplementing magnesium corrected the spasticity that gave me the ms hug. back in the days of the ms hug, i couldn't even take a proper deep breath. a pharmacist turned me on to magnesium in 2007 i believe it was. i haven't had to deal with ms hug for years now. whew!

lovebug · Post by **lovebug** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 3:04 pm

`Jimmylegs` You got me into taking Magnesium. I am taking 500mg./day along with other vitamins as well. But noooooooooo relief from this `MS Bear Hug yet`! I have had it for over one year. I am losing hope already that this symptom will ever go away. I think mine is permanent. Any other suggestions? I know I have asked you for your help on many occasions. I have kept your replies so I can refer to them.

Post by **jimmylegs** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 3:14 pm

great! what form lovebug?

IIMA, what is your current daily supplement regimen, including doses and timing?

maybe i can see something to tweak

Filmmaker · Post by **Filmmaker** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 5:25 pm

you could try acupuncture and cranio sacral therapy, they both help me, although my "hugs" keep moving around my body...

lovebug · Post by **lovebug** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 6:18 pm

I think I have become a walking pharmacutical company with all the pills and vitamins I take to try and get rid of the nerve pain and MS bear hug! Well this is my regiment each day... Morning--- 150mg.Lyrica, after breakfast----4000 mg. Vitamin D, 1 pill B-100 complex, 1 baby aspirin, 2 capsules omega 3-6-9, 500mg. elemental magnesium, 1000mg.calcium. lunch time--150mg.Lyrica sometimes another 150mg. in the afternoon. , bedtime---150mg. lyrica, 1-omega 3-6-9 capsule and 50mg. amytriptyline. Any other suggestions are welcomed folks!!

Filmmaker · Post by **Filmmaker** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 7:53 am

I'll give my trick: Benadryl, it is helpinbg my nerve pain and MS hug (which i have everywhere..).I think it comes from inflammation, excessive release. Try it and let me know:-)

lovebug · Post by **lovebug** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 8:02 am

Thanks Filmaker for the tip! I have heard about pwMS taking Benadry for nerve pain. What dosage? I am willing to try anything now.

Filmmaker · Post by **Filmmaker** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 9:39 am

I take two small teaspoons twice a day. Keep us posted, it may help otehr people too...

Filmmaker · Post by **Filmmaker** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 9:39 am

And alos if you are heat tolerant, you can put a heating pad on the painful area... This also works...