Okay...I know this has been discussed before, but when I try to do a search on MS Hug, it doesn't come up with anything...

I've read descriptions of the hug, but can't determine if what I'm experiencing is the hug or something else...so I wanted to see if anyone had an input (yes, I'm going to call my neuro - I see him on Tuesday, tho)...

So here it is - it usually starts when I wake up in the morning and am laying in bed. At first I thought that I was ovulating (sorry guys)...as the pain is on my sides, toward my back, at waist level or so. I know in the past, I would attribute something like this pain to ovulation. However, I have been experiencing this for over a week now - so I'm thinking not so much about the ovulation theory. I usually feel this "pain" for at least an hour after I wake up...and then sometimes during the day I experience it for brief periods of time. Also, if I wake up and decide to stay in bed, the pain does not lessen at all.

Sometimes the pain is on both sides and around the back, sometimes one side (like right now). It seems lower than my ribs, but I dunno, I can't even tell. Sometimes I have a hard time "placing" where a pain or sensation is.

Thoughts?

Thx.

Do you still have you gallbladder? That can cause a lot of different pains around the rib and abdomen area. The hug, I think is the muscles in between the ribs, it mainly on me feels like the ribs are being crushed. But it does move around sometimes.

I'm sorry, I don't have the answer. But I know it is very painful for you. I'm sorry you having this trouble. I'll pray for you...

I found this...

http://ms.about.com/od/signssymptoms/a/ms_hug_pain.htm

and this...
http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=show&pageid=1418

I'm sorry you are hurting...
Gentle...'s

Abbie

Thanks, Abbie and Friend.

I've read stuff on it - but maybe I have too much blubber and just can't decipher where the heck my lowest rib is?!

I still have my gallbladder - but have been ruling that out as the problem as I have it on both sides...or even when it is on one side, it isn't always the same side. Right now it is my left side. In the morning it is so uncomfortable. It usually doesn't go across my front, fortunately.

I was supposed to call my doc today, but just didn't feel well. I know, that's a strange statement to make! Guess I didn't want to talk to anyone. It took all I had to even get to work this afternoon. I'm sick of being sick. I'm tired of the symptoms. I'm annoyed with being tired all the time. This whole thing stinks.

Now I'm trying to remember if I read somewhere that the MS Hug is possibly a sign of lesions on the spine? Or maybe I've been reading too many of the lesion threads on here! I'm confusing myself now!

~k

Since I have the ms hug, I also would have automatically ruled out the gallbladder, until I had to have it removed last week. My neuro didn't want to just blame all the pain on the hug. So when they did an ultrasound they found some gall stones. So, now I am a believer in not just taking for granite it is JUST ms. I wish you the best.

BTW: I have been told here that the hug is caused from a spinal lesion.

Hi, Keri.

I have never eperienced the "hug" but from what I have read I din't "think" it's the MS hug.

A mistake many of us with MS make is to assume everything we experience is probably "just the MS."

I suggest you make an appointment (you can take my suggestion or ignore it ) with your PCP to make sure their isn't something else going on. It could be just the MS but I believe in - better to be safe than sorry.

I agree with Snoopy, Keri . . . you should always be checked out if you are in pain and not "assume" anything is due to the MS, especially the hug.

Here is some information on it:

"What Causes the "MS Hug?"

It is caused by a lesion on the spinal cord and is technically classified as a neuropathic pain called a “paresthesia,” which refers to any abormal sensation. The sensation itself is the result of tiny muscles between each rib (intercostal muscles) going into spasm. These muscles have the job of holding our ribs together, as well as keeping them flexible and aiding in movement, like forced expiration.
What Does It Feel Like?

Like many MS symptoms, the “MS hug” feels different for different people – it also feels different in the same people on different days or at different times of day. It can be:

As low as the waist or as high as the chest; rarely it can be felt as high as the shoulders and neck

Focused in one small area (usually on one side or in the back) or go all the way around the torso

Worse when fatigued or stressed

Present in “waves” lasting seconds, minutes or hours or can be steady for longer periods of time

Described as sharp pain, dull pain, burning pain, tickling, tingling, a crushing or constricting sensation or intense pressure

The following suggestions have been taken from different patient accounts of what helps them – different things may work for you at different times:

Deep Breathing Exercises: Breathe in as deeply as you can (really engaging the diaphragm) through your nose and blow out through your mouth.

Apply Pressure: Place the flat of your hand on the area and press fairly hard.
I have even heard of people wrapping themselves in Ace bandages for the same effect.

Creative Visualizations: Close your eyes and picture different images that represent the sensation, then visualize doing something to get relief. Try different images to find what may work for you. I have heard some people picture several thick rubber bands around their bodies, which they are cutting off one by one. Another version is plastic wrap around their torso, which is getting unrolled, releasing their bodies and allowing them to relax.

Increase Fluid Intake: Try lukewarm herbal tea for relaxation and plenty of water.

Wear Loose Clothes: For some people, the sensation occasionally feels like an unpleasant tickle when touched by fabric, or feels like a waistband that is too tight. Loose-fitting garments may help.

Massage: Some report amazing relief from massage, especially manual lymph drainage massages. I can report that Thai massages helped me relax while I was having this symptom, and made it feel much better during the massage and several hours afterwards. Start with your favorite type of massage to see what that does.

Warmth: Heat helps some people and makes it worse for others. Try a warm bath or heating pad to see if this provides some relief.

Analgesic Creams: This didn’t help me, but for some it is the answer. Try it on a small spot first to make sure the sensation doesn’t become unpleasant (especially with some of the menthol-based products) before smearing it all over your body.

Ibuprofen: Advil or Motrin has worked for some people. Be sure to take it only on a full stomach and for a limited amount of time (less than two weeks) to avoid gastrointestinal bleeding or gastritis.

What Medications are Available?

Many of the medications used to treat the “MS hug” are very addictive and should be used only with caution and careful monitoring by your doctor. These include:

Antispasticity Medications: These include Lioresal (baclofen), Valium (diazapam), lorazepam and Xanaflex (tizanidine).

Neuropathic Pain Relief Medications: These include Lyrica (pregabalin) and Neurontin (gabapentin)."

http://ms.about.com/od/signssymptoms/a/ms_hug_pain.htm
http://ms.about.com/od/signssymptoms/a/ms_hug_tips.htm


As it is just an "abnormal sensation", everyone seems to describe it quite differently. For me, what it feels like when I am in an attack is:

- numbness, but the skin feels burned and hyper-sensitive
- a large 8" elastic belt cinched very tightly around my mid-section
- sometimes hard to get a full breath unless I lift my arms over my head

I'd be really interested to hear other's description of the hug, especially for those who KNOW that is what they were experiencing. I think too many people attribute their aches and pains (and other conditions) to the hug because we haven't really nailed down what it feels like.

Cherie

Keri

Here's a link to a thread I started a while back about MS Hug http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ight=pneumonia

I had a hard time finding it and finally remembered it was while I thought I had pneumonia so did a search on that.

I hope this helps. I have had these types of symptoms twice and it's no picnic. Can't catch my breath, taking a deep breath hurts...spasming muscles, all the way around. Pain in mid-section, etc. Muscle relaxor helps, and also putting my arms up when I feel the spasms when trying to take a breath helps relax the muscles. it works...AMN taught me that one.

I will vouch that does work and yes AMN taught me too!

So, while the pain I was experiencing was hug-like (the pain increased to when I took breaths, etc)....I went to my primary care doc and did a quick urine test. I have a kidney infection! I don't have the other typical features of an UTI...so I didn't consider it. Just couldn't take the pain anymore today and figured what if it is a kidney problem! So, now I'll start antibiotics tomorrow. Haven't had a UTI ever that I can remember.... so now wondering if it MS related or related to the Tysabri (as that is a known side-effect). Of course, I'll probably never know!

I agree with everyone who always say: don't assume something is from the MS or a MS symptom - it could be other-related!


Just an update.