Hi Synnove,

I've given up trying to figure out what causes mine. I'm not even sure if the MS brain lesions have something to do with it or not; but I lean toward that as a cause.

The first experience I had with the HUG was several years ago when I went through a bout of TM. I wondered then, if maybe the abdominal muscles were straining too much from me yarding the lower half of the body around; but after that bout passed, I continued to get episodes of the HUG.

Doctors have blamed it on regional enteritis, abdominal scar tissue (from surgeries), liver disease, TM, MS, autonomic neuropathy (a new Dx for me as of spring) and last but not least...emotional stress.

Mine causes pain in the lower rib area to the navel, and often refers sharp mid-back pain. Basically feels like a bear hug that threatens to crack a rib or two. It makes it hard to get a deep breath, or to get up from a laying position.

Massaging the abdominal wall and/or pressing just under the sternum seems to help some times. At other times, I use extra Baclofen; taking 10 mg every half hour until it backs off. It usually does by the time I've taken 20 mg extra, but I have gone as high as 40 mg upon occasion.

Have you tried Baclofen?
Hope that you find something that works for you.

With love, Erika