I'm just wondering if any of you notice a pattern to your hug and other symptoms. This is what I have noticed . . .

I've been having trouble with the hug for several months now. While it's been a constant squeeze for years, since my flare in December it has really been giving me some trouble. It got better for a while and then the other day I felt the familiar ripping, tearing, shooting nerve pain. Then I could feel the muscle movement on and off and, of course, the intercostal muscles went in to their painful spasms. After a couple of days of this going on in my rib cage, it moved on in to my stomach. Now, I have the slight nausea in the mornings (I'm not pregnant ), and am somewhat constipated. I still go every morning but it the consistency has changed (sorry if TMI, but I'm trying to make a point) and it seems my abdominal muscles just don't want to push, like they are already tight and can't tighten any more. So now, all this stomach/digestive stuff is starting back up again (bloating, gas, difficulty eating, etc. due to slow motility).

This pattern occurred to me the other day and looking back, it seems like this has been my new pattern over the past several months.

Has anyone noticed a similar pattern or even a different pattern to what happens when your hug decides to act up?

YES! I notice about the same thing as you do. My mid-section isn't numb but I don't have the same strength in it as I used to. It acts like it did when it was numb but it isn't numb anymore....just acting like it is. If that made sense to no one but me I won't be surprised!

My "hug" is always on my right side - right in my ribcage area. It's constantly there but sometimes to a lesser extent than others. My digestive system has gotten sluggish especially when the hug is in one of it's worse episodes. Maybe our system is just confused?

I don't take anything for the hug anymore because all the meds I've tried have worse side effects than the actual sx they're supposed to help (for me anyway). Aleve is the strongest thing I take anymore. Topical remedies (heat or cold) seems to work best for me but certainly doesn't aleviate the whole problem.

I always thought "the Hug" involved the diaphragm...

I've had a spot on my left low ribcage in the back for over 6 years that my former pcp thought was a kidney problem...nope; tests were negative. It is sore to the touch, and feels as if I have a golf ball there. I think it's the muscles being permanently tight.

As to the abdominal issues, I know for sure that MS can make things sluggish (even tho my neuro disagrees with me); I have issues with it all of the time.

I am beginning to believe there's only so much the docs and drugs can do to help us with our various issues. All we can do is eat right, get enough sleep and move our bodies. And pray

Kelly - That does make sense. I do have numb spots but they have gotten better since the flare. I couldn't feel water hitting the areas while in the shower and anything touching those spots would feel weird. I only take gabapentin for the pain. But it doesn't seem to be doing a good job lately as I am having a lot of breakthrough pain. And upping the does of it is not an option as I react horribly to the increase. I am only on a small dose, 900 mg a day. Heat and ice helps and I made my own magnesium cream and that helps as well. Plus, the magnesium cream absorbs in to my system and bypasses the digestive system so don't have those side effects.

Debbie - A golf ball is a good way to describe it. I feel that too sometimes in my lower rib area. I too was tested for kidney problems back in January when I went to the ER for severe tremors. All tests showed up negative. I've had ultrasounds in that area and nothing showed up. I additionally had an ultrasound of my kidney's, bladder, etc., all of which were negative. There is just nothing there in that area, meaning, internal organs. And all testing has been negative. But still, I feel that same ball feeling. I also feel that in my left hamstring all the time and when my butt goes in to spasm - it's like sitting on a golf ball.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Sometimes when the pain gets so bad I start thinking the worst. It's always nice to know that others are experiencing something similar, if not the same.

BTW - As you know, I have been getting regular massages. My massage therapist does a gentle 1/2 hour massage. It took a month for some of the swelling to go down and the muscles to relax. She said the intercostals are still really tight but she doesn't want to do too deep of a massage - we tried that once and never again.

I have a hug very similar to you Trish. I still take a little Baclofen for the tightness. Not sure it works enough to spend the $.

I used to take gabapentin but it never really seemed to do anything for the pain.

During the daytime, I just deal with all my sx's. By evening, the hug is strong and the pain has increased.

I am experimenting with MMJ. Smoking will give the quickest results but my lungs can't handle it. I tried a vaporizer but even though the effect was immediate, my lungs still knew there was a foreign element.

Both came with a "high" that was unpleasant. I am now trying edibles in various doses/flavors of desserts. I actually like it in that it suits my sweet tooth and is not as strong as smoking.

I will probably get a MMJ card soon. I have an appt with the neuro next week. He may or may not be on board with it but I am sure I will find a doctor to help with the paperwork.

Thanks, Cyn! Man, it's so good to know that others go through this.

As for the MMJ, I wouldn't even know where to find a dispensary. I know they had an article in your paper about some healing center that wanted to offer MMJ. The landlord was NOT on board with it and that seems to be an issue throughout the state.

A while back someone on here, I think it was Kay, mentioned putting it in butter and using it that way. I have been asked by a few people if I was going to get my card now that it is legal. I haven't decided on that one. I don't want to get an unpleasant high like what you experienced. I just want relief.

Plus, as I lay here in bed almost flat on my back, I keep looking at my Ativan bottle and keep debating and asking myself . . ."Is it bad enough to take one?" I know it helps some but I just can't get myself to take them. I am so bad about that and would probably be the same way with MMJ.

Baclofen really didn't help and it made me irritable and hungover and just feeling like carp! I tried it for a week at full dose and then the neuro had me take 1/2 tablet. Even the 1/2 did that to me and it really didn't help the hug much.

As I mentioned in Dej's thread, valium worked great, I think. One valium will knock me out for a day and a half. LOL Even 1/4 of a dose knocks me out some.

That is how I ended up with Ativan.

Sandy makes cannabis butter and gives Jim cookies...it lasts longer in the system, I think...
your landlord wouldn't be able to object to cookies
If you took it this way in the evening, it might calm down all of the sxs. I know it calms mine down, but the cannabis I inhale makes me feel awful...so I don't use it very often, only when the spasms are almost unbearable and I've maxed out on dosage of zanaflex.

There are cookbooks for cannabis out there; I once saw one at Barnes and Noble...
You're lucky that your state is compassionate enough to pass that bill; ours is still in the neandrathal phase...I feel that if we had dispensaries, I would be able to obtain the type of cannabis that would be appropriate for my symptoms, instead of buying it off the street with God only knows what's in it...

Places are just getting up and running. My pharmacist friend just told me of two dispensaries.

I heard the same thing about the dispensary having problems locating in the medical building you are talking about. It is really a perfect place for it. A professional surrounding.

Did you know Colorado has had MMJ for TEN years!

I have tried pre made brownies and blondies. Both were good tasting.

I also was given pre made butter that I put in a batch of chocolate gooey brownies. Tasted very good and it made me think it was an overdose waiting to happen.

I am sure there is something going on in Tucson. The price of getting everything in order and the hassle the state has put on it makes it difficult but not impossible. Everything should be easier in the fall. But I think I am serious about going forward. Can't hurt like MS hurts!

It is just a matter of dosing. The last two times though as the herb took effect, my feet stopped the intense pain and the hug was lessened. No spasms as I laid there. A general quietness in my body.

Come morning, my body is a bit "loose" but it stiffens up pretty quick to start walking and do it all over again.

Debbie - I know, there is no way I would be buying off the street. I've heard too many stories from DDs about kids who smoked it and it was laced with PCP or something. I'd have to make my dealer smoke it 1st with me watching. Kind of like a demo. And yes, both Sandy and Kay put it in butter. Of course, in Kay's case, I think it is legal in Belize. Both said that it works just as well.

Cyn - I knew MMJ was legal in Colorado. DBF's niece has a friend that grows it and dispenses it there. The article I read was about a place in Ahwatukee. They don't want the dispensary in some shopping center and the landlord was giving her a hard time. It was several weeks ago that I saw that article. Crazy though. It's now legal but apparently that shopping center is too uppity to allow that. They are ok with her healing center, just not the dispensary part. I think they wanted her to move to some industrial area around Priest & University or something like that. Like who wants to go there to get their MMJ.

I go through my desperate moments with the hug. The pain can be so intense that you feel like you are going to pass out or throw up or both. It's at that point that I start searching for anything that will help. I have yet to find anything that completely relieves the pain. When I 1st started gabapentin it was like miracle drug to me. But over time, it's not as effective as it used to be.

Recently, I noticed this pattern to it all and just reflected on it. I am guessing that if I take something right when I feel that 1st zap of nerve pain, I may be able to avoid all the other stuff. I will be seeing my dr. about all of this next week. I need better pain management. I am a much happier calmer person when I am not in pain.

Again, it is good to know that others experience something similar. Thanks!