MS hugs - a rare symptom

MrsGeorge · Post by **MrsGeorge** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 6:59 am

I just had an MS hug appear - well it's identical to others I have had and so I called my docs for something to help (they prescribe anti-inflammatorys to help with the muscle spasms). The dr that called me back had never heard of MS hugs and had to go away and check b4 he could decide what to give me. When he called back he commented that according to teh specialists it is a very rare symptom and am I sure?

Is it rare cos based on what I have heard it seems not that rare to me?

TwistedHelix · Post by **TwistedHelix** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:32 am

Unfortunately, doctors who don't know much about MS are not rare at all.

I've heard lots of people talk about MS hugs, but I'm not sure I've ever experienced one myself. I do sometimes feel a bit short of breath and unable to reach the " peak" of a really deep breath, is that the same thing?

MrsGeorge · Post by **MrsGeorge** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:13 am

best i can describe is bit like a painful vice squeezing me round my abdomen. makes breathing tricksy and i feel kind of sick (sometimes). It seems to fluctuate between very uncomfortable and downright painful.

chrishasms · Post by **chrishasms** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:34 am

The best way I can describe it, do 500 sit ups or go put on a girdle.

Go lie on your back and reach and stretch as far as you can. That will help stretch it out. Baclofen helped mine to but believe it or not you will get used to it.

My understanding is it is from a lesion midway down the spine. It sucks but it's survivable.

MrsGeorge · Post by **MrsGeorge** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 10:30 am

thanks chris, i'll try the stretching thing. It's not the first time - but it just seeemed wrong when the doc told me that it was rare!

dignan · Post by **dignan** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 12:27 pm

I had it for a couple of weeks when I experienced my first symptoms. Not painful, but a strange feeling.

Lyon · Post by **Lyon** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 2:40 pm

Post by **jimmylegs** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 6:25 pm

the ms hug and 'can't get a deep breath' have been two diff things in my xp. the ms hug feels like physical bands constricting your rib cage. the can't get a proper deep breath was something that for me resolved with magnesium treatment.

Lyon · Post by **Lyon** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 6:38 pm

Wonderfulworld · Post by **Wonderfulworld** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 1:53 am

I have had it too, very very uncomfortable and painful.
Neuros trot out the "rare" nonsense about lots of MS symptoms. I don't know what the underlying message is...is it that "it's most unlikely to be MS-related because I haven't heard of it"? It takes an educated neuro to understand rare does not equal unlikely.