[Dejibo]

For the last couple of weeks, I have had increasing trouble getting to the top of my breath. I can draw air in, and I am able to breath, just not able to get what feels like a full breath. Like someone is squeezing me, and I cant get past it.

I saw the MD and he said he thinks its either A. the MS hug or B anxiety. Oh great another anxiety label. anyway, I was wondering if anyone else has this.

I feel like I have to work to get to the top of my breath! my O2 saturation is 98% on room air. I dont have a cold. I am not getting over a cold. I am getting over a flare. I do have this sinus drip thing that makes me crazy. I feel like I have stuff wrapped around my vocal cords, and my voice has changed. My lungs are clear, and no wheezes can be heard with a stethescope. I have been known to wake from a sound sleep feeling like I cant get my breath. Once I sit up straight, and take a minute, it does get better.

Am I alone?

[Kitty]

You are absolutely not alone!

I had the hug a couple of weeks ago and it was the worst case of it I've ever had. It was truly painful. And....I could not get a good, deep breath. It took me several tries to finally get that satisfied feeling of a deep breath.

I've had this sx, too, with the hug and no pain involved. Just the constricting feeling of someone squeezing me.

I hate it when they chalk everything up to anxiety. Who wouldn't be a little anxious if they couldn't breath well???

I hope you feel better soon.

[mrsD]

I've had mild asthma in the past...mostly wheeze free.

Mine tends to be bronchoconstrictive, but if there is little mucus build up or the constriction is mild, it can go unnoticed when listening to the the chest with a stethoscope. I rarely move into a full blown asthma attack... mostly when some particulate situation occurs in my environment. So I do carry an albuterol inhaler for those times.

I typically have more problems in spring, when the mold under the snow is exposed, and then there are windy days to move it around. Smoke also sets me off, any exhaust from vehicles, or a fireplace back up or cigarettes, etc.

Breathing with the stomach muscles instead of the chest really helps me. This type of breathing is recommended for people with anxiety as well.

Grapeseed extract is very good for reducing this mild inflammation that allergies can bring. It is also recommended for MS patients for their inflammatory problems. So do consider trying it. I use it every spring myself, 200-300mg a day.

[gonnamakeit]

What you have described are the typical hug symptoms. I only have it a few times a year, but it can be scary the first few times.

gmi

[AfterMyNap]

Dej, are you active enough to generate a sports-grade breathing pattern? If not, find the way.

Several years ago, when my activity level was steadily dropping as my disease progressed, the same thing was happening to me and I even found it a little uncomfortable when I could catch my breath.

It was also during a hug season. When I get the hug and can't catch my breath, I sit in a chair with arms and raise my torso and it seems to get my lungs free. It has worked for me every time.

A full exam showed no problems and my PCP and I decided that with my history of extremely high & frequent physical activity combined with a naturally huge lung capacity, I simply wasn't keeping my lungs active enough.

Since then, I have made it part of my routine to sing real loud, play my harmonicas, yell, or whatever I can do to generate more lung activity.

[kats]

This is a little un-related but I'm having a heck of a time differentiating MS stuff from all the sinus junk I'm going through. I've been diagnosed as having "non-allergic rhinitis" which basically means "we have no clue why your sinuses are messed up". I have post-nasal drip and am congested all the time.

I also have trouble taking a full breath sometimes but I'm not sure whether that's hug-related or not. I think it's time to head back to the allergy doc and see what else they can do. Don't you hate that everything can be attributed to anxiety? For sure, it can be a factor but not always. Feel better!

[Aarcyn]

I have what you are describing. No deep breaths. AMN has good suggestions, I don't have anything to give but empathy and sympathy!

[Catch]

Sorry you are experiencing one of the worst sx. Been there! In fact, I have been living with the hug pretty much daily all month. It has not been bad, but it has been a drag. Its different day to day, sometimes its arms around my ribs, and other times it feels like there is a large hand around my trachea, or squeezing my diaphragm.

The hug is by far one of my most uncomfortable sx! About the only good thing I can say is, it might go away forever one day.

I also have developed chronic post-nasal drip. The consensus is that its related to the MS too. I don't know, but I never had a problem like this before. It is an awful drag and I feel like I'm clearing my throat and hawking up crud all the time and it's embarrassing, making all that noise. I have begun a program of sinus cleansing a few times a week. It seems to help some. But, for me anyway, mj is by far the most effective for keeping the mucus down. (I toke some at night before bed, and the next day my sinuses are not so clogged.

Best wishes for a symptom-free day!!

[Dejibo]

I am CONSTANTLY clearing my throat! I have crud wrapped around my vocal cords, and I just cant get past it! My voice is also changing. makes me crazy! Im not a singer or anything, but I did like my voice. Now is raspy, and halting. weird.

[SandyC]

I am surprised your doc didn't send you for a chest xray just to be sure there is nothing going on. Jim's had blood clots in his lungs before and took blood thinners for it. BUT, with that said, Jim and I both have acid reflux and what you mentioned about night time caught my eye. I have woke up grasping for breath due to the acids finding their way into my lungs. A raspy voice could be the result of acid reflux too.

Have you tried sleeping elevated? Jim sleeps slightly elevated every night. He says his back feels better and he can breath better too.

Jim's neuro sent him for a MRI when he had the hug just to see if a lesion developed in the area. He was all clear.

Cindy had some great suggestions but I don't think my neighbors would care for screaming or singing. LOL

Hope you get better soon!