I just found out I have a lesion on my spine at the T3-4 region. It is suspected that I have MS. I also have a strong feeling that there is something squeezing or crushing my right lung and sometimes feel like I can't get enough air. Could the lesion be causing this? Last year I had a chest x ray for a respriratory infection, and it showed increased density at the bottom of my right lung. Could this be causing the sensation I'm feeling?

Keep a log of your symptoms to let your Doctor or Neurologist know.

Sometimes it can be a long journey to a diagnosis and sometimes not but there are plenty of folks here who know what you are going through.

Hi, Ralph, welcome to NT!

What you are describing sounds a lot like what is called the "MS Hug" or the "Girdle Sensation". If you do a search for those terms, you'll find discussions all over the net about it.

Ralph, I have returned to this post to add that I should have mentioned that I've never heard of this lung density issue as directly related to MS. Definitely ask your neuro if these are two separate things or if he/she thinks they are related. Sorry for any confusion.

I hope you get some answers and treatment quickly, it's very uncomfortable to feel that way.

Thank you so much for your input. I had never heard of the MS Hug but now feel this very well may be what this is all about. I have a follow up with my doctor just in case to discuss the lung density thing. I've never in my life done this kind of chat room and I have to say, I can't believe how quickly I go an answer! Thanks again!

You're quite welcome, Ralph, it is perhaps NeuroTalk's great hallmark that we're all struggling with the confusion and uncertainty of difficult health concerns.

Fortunately, we also suffer with profound chattiness and love to offer any experience or knowledge that may save another from even 5 of those frustrating moments.

Look around and let us know if we can help you further, or just hang in one of our many off-topic amusement zones.

My spinal lesions are pretty big, and they cause lots of symptoms when they are active, including the hug. For me that feeling normally comes with a sense of numbness & burning too.

It may very well be the hug (everyone describes it differently), but because you have a lung issue, I think it is worthwhile being checked out by your doc at this time. Being a smoker, I decided to (get checked out; COPD testing), but all was well. It seems it was just a sensory symptom, whereby I "percieved" I was having difficulty getting a full breath . . . but really I wasn't.

Welcome to the forum, and good luck with the diagnosis process, Ralph.

Cherie