Good luck! I took it a few times prior to MRI and did not have any problems with it. It did help relax me, but did not make me sleepy. But then nothing seems to make me sleepy. Ambien CR is not even helping this week:(

well, I got sleepy, but it wasnt impressive sleepy. I did wake several times during the night, but was able to go back to sleep. With the Klonopin I had trouble finding my way back. So...I think I will try this for a few days. The hug did leave me long enough for me to breath a bit.

My hug is weird, in that its positional. Its so much worse when I lay down, or sit in a leaned forward position. When I stand tall it goes away, or at least backs off.

Mine actually bothers me the most when i am standing and the least when i am lying on my left side.

I know what you mean. Mine really bothers me when I lay on my right side. In fact, I can't lay on my side at all now. I've taken to sleeping on my back. I can breathe better that way, too. The hug doesn't really bother me until I lie down. It takes my breath away. I hardly notice it when I'm standing up or sitting up.

i have intentionally checked myself before bed. no hug. I lay down, start to watch TV and 5 mins later, im hugged! once it starts its hard to make it stop. I get up. I sit bolt upright for it to go away, which takes a 1/2 hour or longer. Back to bed. Lay on other side. and sometimes I get hugged, sometimes not. laying on my back or right side is a good bet it will come. laying on my left side puts me face to face with fuzzy Jack and when I snore he puts his dirty fuzzy foot in my mouth. ICK! I find when I lay on my back its worst under my right rib cage. One MD told me I was crazy! that isnt how the hug works. I would have other sx in my legs and torso first. ugh! then another MD told me that is exactly how it works. putting pressure on the area with the lesion can make it fire up. I wish they would all work from the same book.

Isn't that weird. The left side is where I experience the hug. But mine is in my rib cage/back so it does not affect my breathing. I know that Trish mentioned that she feels better at times when she lies on her side too.

Yup! I feel better most of the time when I lay on my left side. There are times though that I have to lay flat on my back, though.

Certain positions irritate it more. If I slouch or semi recline on the couch it irritates it. Sitting too long sometimes causes it to act up more. Sometimes even a simple movement such as a slight twist will cause the nerve to flare and it ripples through my rib cage. I have sometimes wondered if I have a back injury or something. (Queen of Denial Syndrome :D) But, I've had X-rays and an MRI and nothing showed except some mild disc degeneration and a few bone spurs as well as the lesions.

Some people like heat on their hug. I can't tolerate heat on my hug and it makes it worse. (I tried it last night.:eek:) Ice works best for me.

Barb - Once I get the magnesium cream recipe right I'll let you know. Basically it is dissolving Epsom salt with hot water and adding cream to it. It does help and since summer is coming up and it's so hot, I have trouble with the baths. This is my summer alternative. ;)

BTW - Do any of you feel the muscles "moving" with your hug? I get that all the time. It's not necessarily painful but I can always feel movement in there. It's an odd feeling, kind of like when you are pregnant and can feel the baby moving or like gas moving in your stomach. It's the intercostal muscles that are the painful ones. I often feel like the spasms are so bad they move my ribs.

I tried the side position last night and couldn't do it. Flat on my back is the only way I can sleep and breathe. Oh well, at least it's good for my face....maybe it'll pull out any wrinkles that might be forming! :D