[tkrik]

I take 2 gabapentins at night before bed. They pretty much knock me out for the night. I normally wake up partially with a spasm or some other pain but go right back to sleep. Well not tonight, or this morning I should say.

I woke up at 1:16 this morning to the hug. It's been really mellow for a while now, just the normal squeezing I have on a daily basis. It's been great since it lightened up. Even my massage therapist has commented how good my muscles feel. Well, tonight the hug is full on - that squeezing and nerve pain. UGH! Unfortunately, I don't have any strong meds to help with this. I only have Advil, which I can't take right now due to some other issues non MS related.

I was wondering how many of you wake up in pain like that and what are things that you do to help you through? I laid in bed for a while trying to ignore it and get back to sleep but that didn't work. So I got on the computer.

[kicker]

The other night I woke in Discomfort from my version I get of the hug. Most nights I have no problems, some I do. Can't figure out why. Oxybutin and fluid intake may be why.

I have stopped an arm pain, I used to get, definitely linked to mouse use on computer. Carpal tunnel small muscle thing overuse in my joints and no pain until I lay down. Many Sleep Doctor and people feel the lights, etc. of computer monitors at night can effect Circadian rhythms. I avoid all computer use after 7 and feel I sleep, etc. better. Finding triggers can be tough and sometimes nothing can be found.

[SallyC]

I'm up early too. A little muscle pain, but mostly, had to potty. I don't seem to get the hug anymore, thank heavens.

Feel better, Trishy..

[tkrik]

Kicker - I generally stay off the computer in the evenings and just watch mindless TV. I fall asleep well and was out by a little before 10 and would have slept fine if the hug didn't jolt me awake at 1 in the morning. And, I've been up ever since. After so much time passes, I have no clue what to do and how to occupy myself as I try to ignore the pain.

Originally Posted by SallyC

I'm up early too. A little muscle pain, but mostly, had to potty. I don't seem to get the hug anymore, thank heavens.

Feel better, Trishy..

I hope you feel better too, Sally!

[Debbie D]

Wow...there isn't much you can do for the hug, is there? It's not like a voluntary muscle like an arm or leg that you can stretch out...the only thing I could suggest is gentle stretching of the upper back muscles to see if that releases some of the tightness feeding into the Intercostal area & diaphragm.

Try rolling into a ball and rocking gently... Stretching out the large muscles of the back. Then stretch out on your back and reach to the left without lifting your back off of the surface & hold for a few seconds. Repeat to the right.

Hope you can get relief soon...are you on zanaflex or baclofen?

[Aarcyn]

@Trish. Call your local pharmacist. I believe that Gabapentin is not for "as needed" use but rather it is a medication that is slowly introduced into your system and conversely, must also be reduced in the same manner or else it has an increased chance of bringing on a seizure.

Check what I am saying by calling your pharmacist but for pain, Gabapentin may work. I just worry that you are using it wrong.

[kadi1805]

Originally Posted by SallyC

I'm up early too. A little muscle pain, but mostly, had to potty. I don't seem to get the hug anymore, thank heavens.

Feel better, Trishy..

What does a hug mean, I gather it is a pain somewhere.

[SallyC]

Originally Posted by kadi1805

What does a hug mean, I gather it is a pain somewhere.

A tightness around your middle and chest area and mine didn't hurt but some do and you usually can't stand tight clothes...

[Erin524]

Sometimes it feels like someone has taken a belt or put a boa constrictor around my waist and is tightening it. Depends on whether or not you just have an invisible belt lightly tightening around your waist, or if you have a giant invisible boa constrictor squeezing the life out of you to be really painful or not.

Last night, it wasnt even around my ribs. It was around my waist and low back. Wearing jeans was out of the question, and even my sweatpants were uncomfortable. Ended up spending half the evening not wearing any pants. (thank goodness I didnt have anywhere to go last night. Stayed home and watched tv) I had to take some valium to get a little relief.

I really dont like it when the Hug is picking on me. Too bad I cant get my parents or other relatives to understand what it feels like. Only people who "get it" are people who actually get the Hug.