QUIX! I need you!!! (Anyone who wants to help would be greatly loved and appreciated!)

[maxthecat9196]

Do you know if the "hug" we get can be caused by anything else?  My dx is up in the air again, and nothing makes any sense to me anymore.  

Sincerely,
Tammy

[Sidesteps]

Tammy - the spinal 3T uses a higher frequency to get the images and causes your core temperature to heat up. I felt it and ended up with a mild excerbation of several of my symptoms. It was odd to say the least!

[maxthecat9196]

The 1.5T mri that was done of my spine in July showed a hemangioma in the same general area that I associate with my hug.  Would that do it?

Tammy

[maxthecat9196]

Thanks, I will look those up.  I have never heard of costchondritis.  I've had this problems for a couple of years, so I don't think it related to my lungs, but you never know.  

As for my tests:  The new 3T mri of my brain is still very suspicious, but we can't do one of my spine yet.  I need to lose some weight, or else I will "get too hot" during the test (?).  But both my LP, and VER were negative.  Two of the five neurologists I've seen (including one specialist with 17 years experience) believe this is ms.  Two think I should wait and see.  One thinks maybe it's full body involvement of my CRPS -(which scares me death) or perhaps chronic fatigue syndrome- (which doesn't make any sense with my history).

I'm so confused...
Tammy

[jensequitur]

costochondritis!  I forgot about that one - I thought that was what I had, long before we finally figured it out.

[rendean]

Hi Tammy,

There are at least 2 other reasons I can think of that could cause "the hug". One costochondritis, which usually comes with a rhematological issue. Another that I figured out for me personally is having disease (pnemonia and new onset asthma) that is in close vicinity.  I figured this out when I did my new asthma inhaler. After I used the inhaler  I was pleasantly suprised to find relief from the hug.

Pleurisy or inflammation of the pleura (lining of the chest cavity) causes rib cage pain for me as well.

I hope I helped because I know personally how painful and aggravating it can be.

Gentle hugs,
Ren

[jensequitur]

Hey, Tammy!

The MS hug is caused by damage to the spinal cord.  I suppose it's possible that it could be caused by compression of the cord, or a bulging disc.  I don't know enough about neurology to answer that question!  

Why is your dx up in the air again?  Is your neurologist questioning their judgement?  Or are the tests coming back negative?

[tingletingle]

Hi Tammy,

There always seems to be other conditions that mimic MS. I did a quick google and came up with back issues
http://www.medicinenet.com/low_back_pain/page2.htm

The hug takes time to get used to, like all the other MS symptoms. As long as we can breathe I reckon it's liveable.

Blessings
Alex