I think I had my first "Hug"?

[KimberlyTN]

Last night as I was lying in bed playing games on my tablet, I began to feel a bit "wheezy" .... I RARELY ever have to use my inhaler .. probably no more than once per year.  Anyway, within a few minutes, I had a strange squeezing sensation that went all along my diaphragm, straight across under my breasts where my bra would be if I had one on. I sat up straight in bed to see if it would help.  It got progressively tighter and if I hadn't already read about the MS Hug, I would have really freaked out.  I finally took some deep breaths and laid down on my stomach to try and relax.  If finally let up .... tenses a little off and on again but finally completely passed.  

So, was this my first "hug"?  

[KimberlyTN]

JJ:  I wasn't actually "wheezing" or my inhaler would have stopped it.  I didn't really know how else to describe it,  lol.  WHat I felt or meant by how I described it was, it was a weird sensation that began right behind my sternum.

It really doesn't matter anyway, does it?  The truth is that if it was an MS "hug" then if I do indeed have MS, then I will likely have this sensation again and will at least know what is causing it.  ;)

At this point, Ihave so many "strange sensations" that I am just trying to note each one of them to share with my neurologist when I see her again in December!

[supermum_ms]

Hi there,

'I' still doubt and question most things, um alot, which isn't necessarily a bad thing but i do tend to voice a different or alternative opinion when i have any doubts, lol its a me thing. When it comes to the MS Hug, there seems to be a lot of confusion all over the net, about what the hug is or isn't and there isn't much research specifically about the Hug to make it easier to understand or work out, so its understandably confusing, maybe more so if its your first Hug.  

The main reason for my doubts is simply in the description of what you experienced, you specifically mentioned that the 'wheezing' is what came 'first', "I began to feel a bit "wheezy"......" breathing issues are not actually a very common aspect of the hug. Yes it happens but its not typical and when breathing is affected, its not typically what happens 'first' or in other words it doesn't come before the spasm, spasticity or pain, which is typically what triggers making it harder for them to breath.

What your describing, sounds to me to be quite different to whats typically experienced or expected from a muscular skeletal causation, which is the MS Hug. The thing is 'a banding feeling', is not unique to MS spinal lesions, it would be a lot easier if it was but there are other medical conditions that also experience this. ms.about.com written by a dr who has MS, in that MS Hug discussion lists "heart problems, gallbladder problems, lung disease, gastrointestinal disorders or inflammation of the cartilage between the ribs." as the other possible causes so its a good idea to get it checked out, and know for sure whats going on.  

Cheers........JJ

[KimberlyTN]

Thank you, Dennis!  I have had many complete heart checks in the past several years including a heart catheterization and everything checked out fine with my heart!  Thank God!  SO, I do not believe this is at all heart related plus my pulse does not speed up or become erratic at all so that is a good sign as well.

[Sailorsong]

That wheezy feeling might be the initial spasm or tightening of the muscles in your chest from the MS hug. But I would still get this checked out just in case it might be heart related.

Dennis

[KimberlyTN]

I did not mean to choose a "BEST ANSWER" for this question!  I thought someone already HAD chosen it, so I clicked on the star, lol!  Please continue to respond to this thread!!!  I don't typically choose "BEST ANSWERS" because none of us are doctors!!!!

[KimberlyTN]

Well, I tried taking my inhaler which did NOTHING so it wasn't asthma for sure!  Also, I did some online research and found a site where other MS patients described their "hugs" and several of them described it exactly as mine and a bunch said that sitting down or lying down often triggered theirs, so I am pretty convinced that IS what it was.  It took hours to pass this time ... actually I took 2 Gabapentins and a sleep-aid and just went to sleep! ;)

[KimberlyTN]

I have since had another of these attacks and feel one coming on right now as well, which is why I have another question.  Is there any reason why I would only get these while lying or sitting up in my bed?  Is it positional related or time of day or what?  I have laid like this for years (lol) but now all of the sudden, I get MS hugs while lying in bed playing games on my tablelt.  Does it make sense that certain "activities" can actually bring "on" an MS hug?

THanks!

[candy158]

It is really hard to say, but it does sound suspicious.  

Alex told me a long time ago, to lay on the floor, and put your hands and arms straight above your head, and it does really help.  So, maybe you could try that.

I get the hug too, and I think like everything with MS, we all are a little different.  My hug usually is my diaphram and ribs too, and it hurts, and sometimes it hits really hard, and stops me in my tracks, and other times it is mild and I can just breathe my way through it.........it is uncomfortable and painful any way you get it, and I do hope my suggestions may help.

take good care,
Candy