MS Hug sufferers?

[Lulu54]

I have been keeping a log of my aches and pains for the past month for the neuro - I have nightly chest pains which are being treated as Prinzmetal angina but I wonder if they could be MS related instead.  My cardiologist keeps tweaking my heart drugs, but in the  back of my mind I keep thinking it might not be angina at all . Does anyone else experience predominantly night time pains like this? Thanks for helping me sleuth this one out!
- Laura


Here's a few typical nights of what I have experienced since January (at least!)


2:45 AM INTENSE. Extreme chest pain, so intense I instantly thought I was having a heart attack- lasted for around 45 seconds. Worse than my MI.  Up to the bathroom afterwards and heavy feeling in both arms
4:45 AM moderate pain in arm pits - moved into back and chest.  Lasted around 3 minutes
6:00 AM awake, heaviness in both arms, upper left arm more than right


3:35 AM Awake with pain in my ribs and both arms - stopped when I got up and went to the bathroom
4:46 AM Last time I remember on the clock before I fell back asleep
6:01 AM Awake with pain in my ribs and left arm - decided to wait it out
6:06 AM Pain finally let up



10:30 PM took Lunesta - here's hoping it helps tonight.
2:25 AM Awakened with moderate chest pain. Up to urinate.
5:30 AM Pain started in upper arms and moved into chest and back.  Scale of 1-10 it was a 6-7, not fun.  Stopped when I got up out of bed.

[Lulu54]

Julie,
Thanks.  That does help . i'm pretty sure what I'm experiencing is  Prinzmetal Angina and not MS. ... Just need to cross that one off the list.

be well,
Laura

[Sarahsmom46]

I have that feeling that someone is squeezing my whole upper chest, back and front at the same time.  It is hard to breath in and I used to think it was a lung problem, except that my PFT tests were usually pretty decent, so can't blame the lungs.  It really does feel more like a "hug" than being really painful.  It doesn't go away for awhile either.  Like Heather mentioned it usually hangs around for a few weeks before subsiding.  I hope this helps.

Julie

[Lulu54]

Thanks to you both - it sounds like you have different experiences but not this nighttime craziness.  

Yes Heather, I don't mess around with chest pains - I know that one all too well.  There is a bottle of nitro beside my bed and another one in my purse at all times.  Plus I am on a combo of drugs that are designed to control this, but it hasn't yet.  Even sleeping pills don't drown out the nighttime pain.

I just saw the cardio this morning and we are going to continue treating this as angina unless the neuro says differently.  I guess I can take it off the table as an MS symptom.  I didn't think so but ....  :-)

Thanks again.
Laura

[Wobbly]

I get feelings on both sides of my stomach area... burning pressure...lasting a few hours or minutes... lasts for a few days and goes away for awhile.

I get them every few weeks or so..

take care
andi

[Heather3418]

Having experienced the "MS Hug" alot over the past 13 years, I can say with alot of certainity that the MS Hug does not come and go like you describe.  Since you have had an MI before, your cardiologist knows best.

The MS Hug feels like someone has the hands on the outside of your chest and pushing in, making it feel like you cannot take a deep breath.  When my episodes occured, they were in conjunction with an MS flare up, lasting a few weeks at a time, during the day and at night.

I am sure that if anyone on the Forum has different experiences with the MS Hug, they will come along to let you know.  I am glad that your cardiologist is aware of your discomfort.  That should ease your mind.  Are you continuing to let him know of your discomfort?  As you know, you should never second guess any pain in the chest.

Please keep us updated and I hope you find something that helps with all this discomfort.  

Best Wishes,
Heather