A new symptom

[socrates2k1]

Question about a symptom
A new symptom began a few weeks ago.

My "heart" feels tired or fatigued, meaning the center of my chest.  I went to my heart doctor, who did an ultrasound of my heart and said it was fine.

This feeling of fatigue is accompanied by difficulty in breathing.

Yes, I know that general fatigue is common with M.S. and I do have that as well, but I'm talking about a specific area, in the center of my chest.

Is this a common "feeling" or symptom with M.S.?
(because if it is, like the general fatigue, I will accept it and go on)

I guess, life with M.S. is a new challenge, each day you may get a new symptom to deal with.

[alaskagirl2011]

I have M.S. and lately found myself sleeping and waking up with my hands in a tight fist. Anyone else have this?

[Karen99]

Here's examples of how other people experience the infamous MS hug:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/MS-Hug/show/790358

[Karen99]

Hi.  I've never had the MS Hug around my chest so I don't know exactly what it feels like in that area.  But I have had "hugs" in other places.  It feels like a tightening band around an extremity.  

I am surprised that your BP goes down instead of up when you have experienced this.  Anxiety or discomfort tends to increase blood pressure.

An ultrasound does not tell the whole story on how your heart is functioning.  I would suggest that you have your doctor or cardiologist check you out a bit more.  Especially if the "hug" you are feeling does not wrap around your chest to some degree.  If I remember correctly, you were in an accident (vehicle?) where you sustained substantial trauma.  Better to be safe than sorry.  Having chest pain with difficulty breathing and decrease in BP would alarm me.  

[socrates2k1]

Thank you for your advice, I'm trying to learn to breath from my stomach, instead of my chest.  It's difficult for me, but I'm trying.

So many things (symptoms) to try to deal with, at one time.
I don't know how you all have been able to deal with all these symptoms, and they are so hit and miss, inconsistent.  You may have them all together, then just a few of them, or you may not have them for a few days, then they return with a vengeance.
I typically have low blood pressure (ex. 100/70), but coincidentally when I have a MS hug "attack", I have noticed when I take my blood pressure, it is very low (the lowest I have recorded was 71/42.

Thank you all for explaining what it is commonly referred to (MS hug) and that I'm not alone, many of the rest of you have it.

Thanks again

[Lulu54]

I just read Quix's answer to you on the other post you have going and see we are both thinking MS hug for the chest pressure.

A tip I have learned recently that may be of help, is to practice with your breathing a few times a day  - we normally breathe north/south (up and down),  Try to take deep breaths that cause your ribs to move east/west (left/right) to expand and stretch those muscles and ligaments that cause the MS hug prob lems.  

  When you first start doing this you may not feel it moving your ribs much, but with practice it does get better.  My accunpuncturist showed me this one.

I hope this helps.
L

[Lulu54]

I go through periods where my heart feels heavy and taking deep breaths are like pushing a 100 pounds of weight on my chest.  

My cardio gives me the all clear for heart - and believe me, I have had all the tests since my heart attack in 2008.  

Often I feel almost like this is associated with the MS hug - where there is a tightening of the muscles and geting the chest/ribs to expand when breathing can become a chore.

Just keep in mind that we can have more than one problem going on with us - not everything is MS.  Don't ignore symptoms associated with your heart, ok?  You only have oneand you have to pamper and protect it as best you can.

be well,
Lulu