spastic muscle, MS hug, or just a bad back?

[lovemy6monkeys]

I've tried to do some reading about MS Hug, and everything seems to say that it is felt in the front of you, maybe wrapping around to your back.

But, I've been feeling *something* mostly on my back. It kind of starts on my right side, but it is mostly my right mid-back (from the bottom of the shoulder blade to the bottom of the ribs.) and fades as it goes across my back towards my left side.

The feeling is a constant pain lately. I've been taking tylenol, or if really bad ibuprofen. That keeps it tolerable. Sometimes it's an achy pain. Other times it feels like someone is pushing a hot metal bar against my back. This has been happening more and more often, the hot pain.

I'm not at the breaking point...yet. But I'm getting close.
Thanks for your thoughts!
~Jess

[slightlybroken]

Here is some info on the MS hug and how it feels to some people:

"How Common is the "MS Hug?"
This is hard to say. Up to 75% of people with MS will experience pain as a symptom, but statistics on the MS hug are difficult to find.

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/above 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

How Severe Can It Get?
Some people experience difficulty breathing or painful breathing, so severe that it is often perceived as a heart attack or panic attack.

What Medical Tests Will be Performed?
Your neurologist may want to run an MRI to see if you are having an exacerbation. Often, tests are also done to rule out other things, such as heart problems, gallbladder problems, lung disease, gastrointestinal disorders or inflammation of the cartilage between the ribs. "

Everybody above has described pain that they have felt with the hug that would fit according to this web page. A muscle relaxer can sometimes help with the spasms, which is virtually what the MS hug is (as Lois suggested).

Jess- Tylenol and Ibuprofen will not take this type of pain away. You need the big guns (a muscle relaxer), I'm afraid. I would contact your doctor, or get in to see someone about this. It can occur just starting just as you described -at the bottom of your shoulder blade etc..

[jensequitur]

I get a similar problem - I have a cramp that goes around my chest on the left side, and sometimes involves the right side of my back.  I also get a lot of tingling and buzzing in that area of my back, and it's numb from that point down.

So it's gotta be some kind of lesion in my spine that's causing that.  I don't get the thick rubber band sensation - it always feels like a side stitch, but around my back.

I've been taking Flexaril when it's really bad, and it seems to help dull the pain somewhat.  I had to take three one day - I ended up nodding off at my desk!

[RedFlame]

Hi Jess,  I have also been wondering about this issue.  

It seems like this is what is happening to you but maybe some of the knowledgable people will respond too

My experience is like a thick rubber band that is perfectly horizontal, it goes around my torso/chest at exactly the same place all the way around.  It is a very painful squeezing sensation.  

I don't have any buzzing or vibrations though

I'm very sorry to hear that your pain is out of control.  Are the muscle relaxants not helping?  Do you have anything stronger to take?  It really sounds like you should call the doctor to get a strong medication or maybe go to an ER to be assessed and treated.  

I'm thinking about you---hopefully you will get some relief today

lois

[addicted2harleys]

I am sorry you are feeling this way, Jess.  I have been wondering about this topic myself.  I don't have the typical MS hug that people point out on here and on the HP.  Mine is also on my right side, but it is more like the whole right side of my torso, front and back.  It takes my breath away and I can't seem to get another breath.  It is crushing.

But, I am also having vibrations/buzzing in my torso.  I don't know if this is related or not.

So, like you, I am wondering about it myself...

Addi