Ms hug

[Mcnickyo]

Hi. I know we have talked about this before but I am looking for clarification and support. I usually have the sensation of my ribcage being squeezed, like I am wearing a way too small bra when not wearing one at all. In old MRI T3-T4 showed plaque or lesions . The most achey spot is on the right side of my spine at the "pointy" part of right shoulder blade. I recently had a bone scan and this T3-T4 area showed arthritis like "stuff"(can't recall exact language). At my first appointment with new MS doc ( few months ago ) I asked to have an MRI of thoracic spine because this MS hug is SO painful! I am looking for a new doc, again. My question is does anyone have this exact variety of ms hug pain?
Pushing tennis balls between my spine and shoulder blade helps for a bit. Any Suggestions? Hope you are having a Happy Halloween . Mcnickyo  

[Mcnickyo]

Thanks again and again for ALL your very help. It will take me some time to sift thru it. I so appreciate you taking the time to do all this. Thnx! Nicky

[Theresalp]

Karry and supermum,
I had an appt this am with my GP. I explained my between shoulder blade and side pains along with the severe aching pain in my legs and the outrageous reflexes that I am now dealing with.

lol Poor man when he went to hit below my knee to check the reflexes he barely got out of the way from being kicked. He did both legs and both were way crazily exaggerated. I told him to try about the knee and he got the same thing except alittle less reaction but still exaggerated.

He knows that 1st neurologist was a total waste of my $ and time and a couple of weeks ago referred me to a different one which I cant get in to see until the first of the year.

He ordered a MRI on my spine I have that this coming Monday and he prescribed lyrica for the pain I am having in my legs. He said he feared it was a type of nerve pain I am suffering from because of where it is and not having any pain in my knee joints etc..

I am very thankful I have a good GP who actually is trying to help figure out what is going on with me. Thank You both for your input. Hearing about others issues and problems along with being told how their body reacts or doesnt react really helps us "newbies" to the group. At least it does with me.

Theresa

[karryon55]

I had the MS hug on & off for many years but never understood what it was. I had severe bilateral pain around my upper chest area where I couldn't move or do anything but wait it out for varying periods of time. I could breath but my breathing was shallow as I felt like a boa constrictor had wrapped around me. I recently learnt from my Neuro that this was called the MS hug which started around 2002 for me. I am lucky in that it hasn't been a problem for quite a while now & when it did happen before the longest was for a few hours.

I also have sporadic periods where I get inflammation in my intercostal areas of my ribs & this can give me a pain between my shoulder blades & in the centre of my chest. This is related to my RA and has lasted 6 months at a time to sometimes just a month at a time. The two are very different to me.

Take Care,

Karry.

[supermum_ms]

I wouldn't automatically think of the MS Hug, simply because you don't mention any of the typical signs associated with the Hug eg intercostal muscle spasms, restrictive banding going partially to fully surrounding your trunk etc

If what you're experiencing 'now' is predominantly the ache between your shoulder blades, and this is after recently experiencing all the lower back pain, and considering you're actually got structural spinal damage, disc degeneration and changed reflexes.

I would have to think, it's entirely possible you're overly restricting and or straining alternate muscles along your back and sides from holding your body restricted and stiffer, the way your walking, lifting, changing your sitting posture etc to alter the pain your feeling in one location and it's now started to effect other places.

Since your back pain is escalating, i really think you need to see your spinal specialist and get the cause and pain issues sorted out!

Hugs........JJ  

[Theresalp]

RE: MS hug. Could someone please tell me if the symptoms I am having could possibly be the "ms hug"?

I have been dealing with a dull ache between my shoulder blades and on my sides of my back. I find myself holding my sides or trying to adjust how I sit because of the ache inbetween my shoulders.

This has been going on for a week along with some really strangely strong reflexes with my knees. I wasnt sure what is going on with the reflexes but was figuring I slept wrong and that was causing the dull ache in my sides and between the shoulders.

Theresa

[Momto3andNanato2]

I too have the MS hug. Mine is on both sides of my ribcage and all around my back. I ache between my shoulder blades, it is spontaneous but very painful, it happens several times a day and then the muscles in upper abdomen under rib cage tighten up like major cramps.

I take gabapentin and my neuro just recently this week changed the time of day that i take diazepam to help elevate the pain.

If you are not taking either of these two medications you may want to ask your Doctor and consider if they may be beneficial for you.

Best Wishes and hope you get some relief.

Momto3andNanato2

[supermum_ms]

I actually don't experience the banding all the time, i've never experienced the banding in my entire ribcage, mine is half my ribcage. It's one of the most painful experiences ever but thankfully for me, it's one that comes for awhile, then goes again. It was more frequent when it first started (08-12) but now it's (knock on wood) hardly ever really painful, the left side of my ribcage started going numb around 2012, which might be why the intercostal muscles spasm a lot less painful than they use too.

There is treatment that's available to help if it's a persistent issue, below are just some but the information is fairly generic.........

"1. What is an intercostal nerve block?

An intercostal nerve block is an injection of local anesthetic, with or without steroids, just under the rib where the intercostal nerve lies. An intercostal nerve block is typically ordered by your doctor for pain in the your rib area that develops following surgery in that area, a rib fracture, herpes zoster (shingles) or an intercostal nerve entrapment or inflammatory condition."

http://www.lahey.org/Departments_and_Locations/Departments/Pain_Management_Center/Nerve_Blocks/Intercostal_Nerve_Block.aspx

"Drug Therapy for MS Hug:
Although MS hug is the result of a muscle spasm, the pain you feel is neurologic in nature. In other words, it’s nerve pain, which can be difficult to resolve. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen are unlikely to bring the same kind of relief to burning pain as it does for a headache. Anti-spasticity muscle relaxant drugs such as baclofen and diazepam, however, are effective for easing muscle spasms and tightness in many people. Your doctor might also prescribe medications such as gabapentin and pregabalin designed to alleviate nerve pain.

Lifestyle Adjustments:
Lifestyle adjustments and home remedies combined with medical treatment can help keep you comfortable during an MS hug episode. Wearing lightweight, flowing clothing rather than fitted garments might help you feel less constricted. The use of compression garments helps your nervous system translate the feelings of pain or burning into pain-free pressure, which may make you feel better. Some MS patients find warm compresses or a warm bath to help with MS hug symptoms. Alternative therapies for the MS hug include massage and deep breathing during an episode."
http://www.healthline.com/health/multiple-sclerosis/ms-hug#DrugTherapy6

I found these large stick on-heat pads at the chemist, I actually thought it was just the warmth that calmed the spasms down but i'm small so they went from the front under my arm to the back, and i think the pressure of the bandage helped by restricting free motion too. I even tried taping the area to restrict movement but lol no don't try that trick :D getting it off my breast was hilarious lol

Cheers...........JJ

[Mcnickyo]

Hi! Thank you so much for writing in answer to my plea. Your reply is so helpful both for validating that miserable ms hug ( I am sorry u too suffer from another way this most unpleasant hug works and u didn't say if u r always feeling it...are u? )
I can have part of a day or maybe an entire day without it being dreadful. The  list of things that bring it on is just what I react to. Missing was typing, sitting in a car too long ...life brings it on.
I will check out the physio site u listed. Thanks so much!
Nicky

[supermum_ms]

Hi there,

I think because you already have MRI evidence, of both spinal cord lesions and arthritic degeneration at the same level (T3 and T4), it would definitely be consistent with the MS hug banding around the rib area. From what i've been able to work out, the motor nerves of the thoracic Spine, effect the abdominal and Intercostal Muscles, which is a very common MS Hug location. Ages ago I came across this thing called T4 syndrome, it's not very common but with you having more than one issue at the T4, it just might be relevant and worth investigating....

"Signs and symptoms of T4 syndrome
......Symptoms are typically felt in one arm or on one side of the upper back although occasionally both sides may be affected. Pain may also be referred into the shoulder blade, ribs and chest. Muscle spasm, stiffness and restricted spinal movement may also be experienced, particularly around the affected joint.

Symptoms are generally exacerbated with activities that involve twisting, lifting, arching backwards, bending forwards or sideways, sitting for prolonged periods of time, coughing or sneezing, or performing activities that involve using the hands in front of the body such as driving or ironing."

http://www.physioadvisor.com.au/10290050/t4-syndrome-physioadvisor.htm

Personally i haven't experienced an "achey spot is on the right side of my spine at the "pointy" part of right shoulder blade" mine has specifically stuck to the intercostal muscles, individual spasms or multiple causing the banding feeling. I've no tip or tricks specifically to help that area, i'm assuming you've tried hot and cold packs but it might be worth seeing a physio though, they might have some specific strengthening exercises or recommended modified movements  or something that could help a little.  

Cheers...........JJ