MS Hug

[Deb61]

Can the MS hug cause death?  When I saw the Oprah show with Montel Williams, Dr. Oz mentioned that the leading causes of death in MS were suicide (which sounds very likely) and the MS hug were the leading causes of death.  Is this true?  If not can you die from MS?  I will certainly pay more attention to those chest pains if this is the case.  Not worried, just would like to know to make sure I get myself the proper care . . .

Don't throw rotten tomatoes if you all have discussed this topic earlier . . . I've looked around on the forum and didn't find anything.

Deb

[rawksea76]

I too have had many variations of all of these types of spasms. In the beginning went to ER many different times and of course been attached to all the usual heart machines, blood pressure etc... As I am sure all of you know the drill

. Been told everything from panic attack to gas to reflux (before dx) Echo on my heart even quite recent, anyway I have been having severe spasms in my lower back both sides, One side. Woke up today with the crushing rib pain started on one side then progressed to the other and in my chest,


I know my heart is healthy and All I can figure is this is just the variation, I haven't  had and MRI for a few months due to still paying off the last one so I don't know if there is anything new

. Was dx'd July 10. 2010 and have spent my time on IV Solumedrol. Never been told it is the HUG but after research and all the testing for other like my heart I know it is.  

Anyway I was just sitting waiting for my Klonopin and Percocet to kick in and thought I would share my experience. Thanks so much all.

[jujuminx]

  Thanks for bumping Red. I found this very helpful.  I too have experienced this to a small degree.  Found that pushing on the area that was squeezing me helped relieve the pressure of the 1/2 hug (never had a full one).

   I heard that you don't have to have MS to have the hug, as it can be caused by any kind of nerve damage along the spine.  

   Anyway, great info to have. Another thread that is helping me understand what MS can fully do to my body.

  Blessings to all,  Julie

[RedFlame]

I does sound like each of us has a different experience.

My MS Hug is like a 14 inch wide industrial strength rubber band that starts middle of shoulder and goes down to below my elbow.  It is exactly the same all the way around and is perfectly horizontal  My arms are stuck to the side of my chest with the squeeze over arms and chest  The squeeze takes my breath away due to the pain level and makes breathing painful.  It can last from hours to weeks.

I also have had pain as you describe in and behind the sterrnum as others describe but finally realized that it is heartburn.  It caused a great deal of anxiety until I figured that out.  

That being said, if there is any doubt, I think you should go the emergency to make sure.    

It has really helped me to tease these symptoms out to know what is coming from MS and what is from something else.  

This is a good thread and am glad that it was bumped up

Red

[Dee2tx]

I have been having the "hug" (agree that we need a new word for it!) on and off for a few years.  When I'm stressed out, it gets worse/more frequent/intense, which unfortunately is right NOW.  Mine is usually focused on my left side, right over my heart (not IN the heart, but ON it in terms of the muscles), and at times goes up to my scalp and down my arm.  Periodically it will pop up on my right side, too.  I take neurontin at night, but if I take it during the day I have trouble working/focusing.  

Luckily, I'm seeing my doc tomorrow.  Hopefully she can make some suggestions about how to deal with it.  Good luck to all of us out there who have so much "fun" with this thing!

[Sumanadevii]

I have something like the MS hug.  It is a tightening right between my ribs.  I do have spinal legions (is where MS plays her song).  From what I understand with heart attacks if changing positions, massage or drinking works...heart attacks don't respond.  I have found every time that getting water fixes it.  During the times it happens I also have a hard time swallowing.  My sinuses don't drain well.  I just keep lots of liquid on hand.  Unfortunately during the night I will dry out again and wake with it.

[Quixotic1]

An MS Hug would only be caused by a lesion in the thoracic spinal cord.  Lesions there are hard to image because of the narrow diameter of the cord and so much pusling CSF around it.

The "Hug" has many different sensations described with it from encircling (all or part way) pain and pressure, to a tight banding that doesn't let you take a breath easily.  It can last as long as it lasts - days to months.

I seriously doubt that the Hug is what leads to death.  More typically it is failure of the breathing muscles, paralysis of the vocal cords with aspiration and infection, and problems swallowing.

Quix