Wrong Diganoses
- In 2004, I had an episode of the infamous HUGS. After two 3-day stays in the hosiptal & numerous Demerol injections, the doctor discharged me with the diagnosis of "the pain is because you are fat". I also suffered for 8 years with what my Internist thought were gall bladder attacks. Okay, the MS diagnose came in 2007 & the way I deal with those wonderful hugs is a cup of hot tea. It may sound strange but the inward heat seems to relax those muscles & soothes the discomfort. My neuro didn't know about hugs either. Sometimes these doctors just see someone who is overweight & they can't get past that factor to make an intelligent diagnosis.
- —Guest Joanna McNally
Evil Hug
- I thought the Hug was a myth. One day I was extremely tired and I experienced this. It was strange I could breathe and that did not really hurt but if I moved OMG. I have had this a few times usually when I am tired. My neurologist did an MRI and yes I have a lesion on my spine. I deal with it by sitting in a reclined position until it passes. I have a question not related my neurologist says I am having constant microflares, my lesions are slightly enhanced anyone ever here of this?
- —Guest darcy
ms hug
- I have had this on and off for 3 yrs. Its something I just got used to. Lately it never goes away, but the weather is warm so all symptoms are worse. This "hug" is one of the most annoying things of M.S.!!!
- —Guest susan
The MS Hug
- I have been having problems with this hug since 1994. I used to go to the ER when I got it because at that time I had not been diagnosed with MS, and I thought I was having a heart attack. Now that I know what the problem is, the only relief I have found is a cool shower, and lots of rest. Each year they seem to get worse, and more frequent, so be prepared! Dottie
- —Guest Dottie Madore
What really helps?
- I know I will get endless flack for this and sound like a looney. Honestly, though, one thing ABSOLUTELY works, and works so (almost) instantly you will be furious that no one told you before. WEED. It seems counter-intuitive because you feel like you can't breathe... but you can. If you live in a med-MJ Legal State, get an Rx NOW. I really am not kidding. This symptom used to drop me to my knees and keep me there for hours. Now, gone in two minutes.
- —Guest AnonMS
painful!!!
- I get the ms hug more often than i like...i hate it.Its like my chest is in a vice & the pain is excruciating.If i can, i do a hot water bottle & sit with my back on it...i have it as hot as i can stand it & its like the pain from the heat takes over..takes quite some time tho.I recently had a diff form of the hug & i thought i was having a heart attack but trying to keep myself calm...with both forms breathing is incredibly painful.i dont want to get it again but no doubt i will..cos thats MS for you.
- —Guest Ellen
MS Hug
- I wouldn't think of it a hug-because everybody likes a hug. Mine fells like elephants on my left side below breast but sometimes it moves to right side or goes around to my back.
- —Guest Theresa Cornett
Is that what it is?
- I have had several episodes where I thought I was having a heart attack! When I have these episodes I cannot breathe, I feel like vomitting and get extremely hot. Although I have been diagnosed with MS for 18 years, this is the first time I have heard of 'the hug' but it makes alot of sense. Should I see my neuro about this? I am worried he thinks I am a hypochondriac.
- —byrnedebbie
MS hug
- First time I had a MS hug I was uncomfortable. Second time I said ok I kinda had this before. Thought of a heart attack at this time on the second time. I got to my bed and thought I was going to collapse laid down fell asleep fast for a minute woke up quick and couldn't swallow. It gradually went away. Third time again felt like a heart attack. My heart has been check with angiogram and I was fine. Third time I went to my doctor and he listen to my lungs. They were fine. Oxygen was fine. X ray was fine. The third night I laid in bed and put v pap I use for severe central and sleep apnea with oxygen. I took little deeper breaths. I was have having severe spasm in my legs. They were painful. I had tears strolling down my face while this was going on. Sleeping pill helped me to sleep.I can't remember when it went away.
- —Guest Suslig
MS hug
- First time I had a MS hug I was uncomfortable. Second time I said ok I kinda had this before. Thought of a heart attack at this time on the second time. I got to my bed and thought I was going to collapse laid down fell asleep fast for a minute woke up quick and couldn't swallow. It gradually went away. Third time again felt like a heart attack. My heart has been check with angiogram and I was fine. Third time I went to my doctor and he listen to my lungs. They were fine. Oxygen was fine. X ray was fine. The third night I laid in bed and put v pap I use for severe central and sleep apnea with oxygen. I took little deeper breaths. I was have having severe spasm in my legs. They were painful. I had tears strolling down my face while this was going on. Sleeping pill helped me to sleep.I can't remember when it went away.
- —Guest Suslig
Is it the hug?
- Three different times I had this feeling of tightness around my chest. Bother my right arm some. I wonder at first if it was a heart attack. I said to my self I had this before and I was alright.At the same time having this I had severe spasms in my legs. I lay down after taking sleep medicine and lay there. I have severe sleep apnea and severe central sleep apnea. I put on my oxygen and v pap and laid there with tears going down my face. I couldn't hardly raise my chest to breathe and spasm in my legs were horrible. It does make you feel like you are having a heart attack. I had an angioplasty and my heart was fine from a few years ago.I knew it had to be MS. cause I was having spasm. I did have a feeling before I lay down like I was going to collapse.Wasn't a good feeling at all. Did go to my MD the next day. Listen to my lungs,check oxygen,and had xray. Lungs were fine.
- —Guest Suslig
ms hug
- I had my first ms hug in 2000. I thought I was having a heart attack. Taken to the ER by ambulance it passed after a few hours. Ms was not diagnosed yet. However I had it then judging by the milegram.(sp) It is severe pain that wraps around the torso and back. Around and around. It is disabling. I had another one about a year ago. It lasted for 18 hours. I was sent to a GI DR. Endoscopy. No gall stones. Soon after that attack I started to have speech problems. Stuttering and stammering. As I said in my previous statement a lot of things I can't remember the name of are now the "thinger". I cannot eat anything during these attacks. I just lie in a fetal position. The pain is excruciating. The neuro thought is was air aphasia. He never mentioned anything about an MS hug. It is not a hug I welcome. And it is a scarey thing to go thru. I didn't know it was called an ms hug until I did a lot of research. What helps relieve the pain?
- —Guest sweetpetunia
Ms hug
- I know I'm not alone but i have had my hug now for over a year now it's an absolute b won't swear but you will know what I mean have not been able to drive the last year due to weakness in my right leg I have tried loads of different tablets gabapentin amatriptilin and most recently pregabalin most days the pain is severe as the last but I just got phone call from a physiotherapist to say they are going to try acupuncture Thursday on me to see what happens so will let you all know how I get on x
- —Guest Maggie smith
ms hug
- Hello everyone. Iam new to this site but, I needed help. In 2007 I was diagnosed with Devics disease( neuro myelitis optica) the neurologist said it's in the family of MS so here Iam. None of the people in my devics web page suffer from the ms hug. I have it everyday and have used all muscle relaxers you can think of. I can't sit up long because of this and I can't even go to lunch with my friends. It affects my everyday life. The only time i get relief is if i lay down on my side. Please any suggestions
- —Guest Donna Garcia
Fentanyl and MS Hugs
- I was sitting in my Nero office spazing nothing new when I had a MS Hug. I old my Nero to touch my ribs which where in full hug mode. Painful and breathing came in gasps. It wraped around my complete toros. That's when he precrips Fentanyl and it has helped on all the spaz problems plus the normal pain of MS. I'm sure it's not for everyone, but I have tried everything over and under the sun and still have to take hydrocodonode as a backup, Slowing downing my breathing and relaxing helps too. I look back I know no that the ER visit for the "heart attack" was a MS Hugs. What we go threw for MS and what we conque is unbelieveable. We are one of a kind, we are specail. And we all can related to what is going on with our bodies to each other whichi is good thing. Keep the Faith in Your Self and you will do fine and keep the faith in others as well.
- —AllTwiggs
