[Lynn]

Hello Beautiful people!

I haven't been around for a while, just ticking along day by day and using Tysabri (which is apparently working really well for me - I used Beta for seven yearsbefore that and that sucked big time with side affects and site reactions). I was Dx'd wih RRMS in 2001.

I had a really awful night recently and I thought I would ask if anyone has experienced something similar to this:

It started with a tight sensation just below my voice box, like someone had put their hand inside my neck and were squeezing my vocal cords. I had so much pressure in my neck and upper chest that I couldn't lean forward or lie down without serious pain. By this time, I couldn't breathe fully at all without pain and I felt a crushing sensation in my neck and down into my chest. All up, this lasted about 24 hours, but not so bad after the first 10 hours.

I was terrified that I might be having a heart attack as I was having palpitations as well. I went to the doctor the next day, and although my chest and neck still hurt (tho not as badly) my ECG was pretty normal. All bloodwork came back fine.

It was just weird and scary, I have an appointment with a cardiologist soon, but thought I would check in and see if any of you have had similar things that have turned out to be MS related. I am terrified of being labelled as a hyphochondriac, I am sure that you all know that feeling (or have been made to feel that way at some time).

I would really appreciate your input on this. I have had the tight feeling in my neck before, but not like this and it was really scary. My doc has already told me that I should have gone to the hospital during the night, but I was too exhausted to move.

Thanks

Lyn

[Dejibo]

I get that occassionally. its too weird to feel like someone has their hand over my throat. then I get a squeeze feeling around my ribs, and then I set into anxiety. I can quickly talk myself into having a heart attack, or a frozen diaphram, or a flipped liver.

Im sorry you had to experience it, but glad you sought out an MD.

Feel better.

[Lynn]

Thanks for that - do you ever have any heart symptoms with that as well? Like skipped or erratic beats?

[Dejibo]

with anxiety its easy to throw myself into a face rate, but I havent noticed any skipped or erratic beats. That would really freak me out.

I do find with calming techniques, and relaxation, and the ability to see panic as panic, I am able to calm myself. that helps.

[Lady]

Lynn, I have a goiter and nodules in it. It feels the way you were saying about the neck. I had my Thyroid checked for the last few years and the biggest nodules biopsied. They came back just nodules, TG. Many people with MS can have Thyroid diseases too.

I have low Thyroid (Hashimoto's Thyroiditis) another autoimmune disease. Have you had your Thyroid checked? It is usually just blood work for TSH, T3 and T4 to start.

After a few years the Endo doctor had to put me on Synthroid, a synthetic Thyroid hormone and if is so much better. The goiter is shrinking and my numbers are back in the normal range.

I don't get anxiety, but with any new symptom or feeling, I can see that adding to your problems, if you are prone to anxiety attacks that is.

I am glad you are getting checked out. Maybe ask about your Thyroid if that was not done already. Feel better Lynn.

[Lynn]

Thank you Lady

I have had my Thyroid checked. It was within the normal range. I don't know what is going on, I have never had an anxiety attack, so if it is that I don't know what it feels like. I only know that the pressure was awful, it hurt badly and I was scared.

I try to make sure I don't blame everything that happens on MS, but then again, there is so much that I don't know. I guess I will have to wait and see what the cardiologist and my Neuro say about it all. It is always great to hear from others about their experiences.

Lyn

[SallyC]

Hi Lyn, nice to see you back here again. I'm sorry about your recent pain and scare. You are doing the right thing, having it checked out by your Docs.

My esophygus(sp) closes up on me sometimes and I feel like something is stuck...I have an anxiety problem, for which I am on meds, but now and then a breakthru attack hits me and I think my esophygus reacts by clogging on me?

Stress and anxiety can make us ill, Lyn, so, check that out too.

Welcome back..

[pud's friend]

MS hug, OR SOMETHING else??? she asks...

I vote for something else.

Have you seen the film Paranormal Activity?

[FinLady]

I sometimes get that since my swallowing can be hit or miss somedays. But it generally happens right after I eat or drink something.

Keep an eye on it. If it's something new and on going, don't hesitate to contact your doc. Hope it clears up soon.